Alex Mooney, Republican, W.Va. 2nd Congressional District candidate
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WCHS/WVAH) — Alex Mooney is running for re-election to West Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District seat. He was first elected to the office in 2014.
In Congress, he serves on the Financial Services Committee, the Budget Committee and the Natural Resources Committee. He has championed himself as an ally to President Donald Trump.
Prior to being elected to that office, Mooney served in the Maryland Senate and was the chair of Maryland’s Republican Party from 2010 through 2013.
Mooney was born in Washington, D.C., and raised in Frederick, Md. He graduated from Dartmouth College with a degree in philosophy.
Mooney and his wife live in Charles Town in Jefferson County with their three children.
To learn more about Mooney, you can visit his campaign website or Facebook page.
All candidates running for Congress were asked to submit responses to an Eyewitness News questionnaire. Below are his responses.
1. Why have you chosen to run for West Virginia’s 2nd District U.S. House seat?
I am running for re-election to continue to be a conservative voice in Washington, D.C., for our shared West Virginia values of hard work, faith and freedom. I want to ensure you have a congressman to support President Trump and defend our way of life.
2. What differentiates you from your opponents?
I believe in free markets, not socialism. I’ve spent my life fighting for the American values set forth by our founding fathers. I believe we need to promote freedom and individual liberty rather than more government control over our lives.
3. Explain what you see as the most important issue facing the state.
The most critical issue currently facing our state today is the coronavirus pandemic. President Trump has shown great leadership, and I support his efforts to save lives. Also, before the virus, our economy was growing rapidly and unemployment was at record low levels. I will work with President Trump to help America’s economic recovery fully so West Virginia may continue to prosper.
4. How are you uniquely qualified to address that issue?
I have already worked with President Trump and allies in Congress to address this issue. Supporting health-care professionals and scientists to defeat this coronavirus is essential. We also need to lower taxes, reduce federal regulations and support energy production in our state. After eight years of former President Obama’s war on coal, our economy was growing again after I voted for President Trump’s tax cuts in Congress. I also worked to cut federal regulations and end the war on coal.
5. How would you address the following big picture issues? Please keep each answer to 200 words or less.
- Education
When I’m speaking to business owners across West Virginia, I constantly hear about their need for trained workers like welders, plumbers and electricians. This is why I introduced the bipartisan Teach Act, which help schools recruit and train high-quality career and technical education teachers. This will increase the quality of training that students receive and ensure that they are truly prepared with the skills they need to succeed in today’s workplace.
- Opioid Crisis
I was the lead sponsor of the Promoting Responsible Opioid Prescribing Act (PROP Act, H.R. 4499). Backed by the American Medical Association, West Virginia Medical Society, American Hospital Association and other leading national and state groups, my bill eliminated an Obamacare provision that encouraged over prescription of opioids. I am proud to report that this change in the law was successfully enacted by the Department of Health and Human Services due to my legislation and leadership.
I have also co-sponsored dozens of other bills on this issue. I can assure you Congress is keenly aware of this crisis and is working in a bipartisan way to help.
I hosted numerous community forums on the opioid crisis so that I could listen directly to law enforcement, doctors, community leaders and recovering addicts throughout West Virginia. To curb the devastation the opioid epidemic we need all parties to collaborate and work together.
- Health Care
I am working to drive down the costs of life-saving medication, like insulin pumps and oxygen tanks. That is why I voted to repeal the medical device tax that has driven up costs while hurting our ability to manufacture these vital treatments. I am glad to see this tax was repealed.
West Virginians deserve health-care solutions that bring costs down for hardworking families and expand access to quality health care.
- Jobs and the Economy
I am proud to have voted for the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, providing an average family of four a $2,059 tax cut. This has put more money in the pockets of all Americans.
The bill doubles the standard deduction for all taxpayers, meaning that a couple’s first $24,000 of income are tax free. Furthermore, the bill doubled the child tax credit to $2,000. The bill also reduced taxes on small businesses (from 35% to 25%) and created jobs in West Virginia.
Finally, this bill reversed the flow of jobs leaving our country by reducing the corporate tax from 35% to 21%, which will make us again competitive with the rest of world.
President Donald Trump has been a true leader on delivering tax relief for all Americans, and I am looking forward to continuing to work with him to create more jobs and to keep our economy growing.
6. What do you think it means to be a public servant?
A public servant listens to his or her constituents and is straightforward with them. As a public servant, I think it is important to articulate my views on the issues and then, if elected, vote the way I said I would after the election.
7. What is the best advice you have ever received?
“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing” – Lord Acton. I ran for Congress because the radical left wants to turn America into a socialist country. They would put government in charge of every facet of our lives and oppress our religious values. I believe our freedom as Americans can only be maintained if we fight for them.
8. What is your ideal vacation?
I enjoy traveling our beautiful state and visiting the many scenic parks and small towns.
9. Who do you cheer louder for – WVU, Marshall, someone else?
I cheer for Dartmouth College, my alma mater.