Mooney confident as primary vote approaches | News, Sports, Jobs

U.S. Rep. Alex Mooney, center, gathered with supporters in Wheeling on Wednesday. Pictured from left are Wilson Wright of Wheeling, campaign volunteer Susan Smith, Mooney, Mark Mikesinovich of Valley Grove, and Colby Homer of Wheeling. (Photo by Joselyn King)

WHEELING — One day after candidates backed by former President Donald Trump posted big wins in Ohio primary elections, the confidence of U.S. Rep. Alex Mooney is growing with the rate of inflation.
During stops in Wheeling on Wednesday, Mooney, R-W.Va., spoke of his endorsement by Trump, his excitement as Election Day approaches next week, and why inflation is the biggest issue facing the nation.
He met privately with a small group of supporters at River City, a restaurant in downtown Wheeling.
Next Tuesday, Mooney faces U.S. Rep. David B. McKinley, R-W.Va., for the GOP nomination to West Virginia’s new 2nd District U.S. House seat. Also in the race are Susan Buchser-Lochocki, Rhonda A. Hercules and Mike Seckman.
Mooney, though, is the only one of the candidates to be endorsed by Trump. Candidates endorsed by Trump in Ohio — such as U.S. Senate candidate JD Vance — went on to primary victories this week.
“Everyone was looking at the Ohio race, and the person he endorsed — Mr. Vance — succeeded,” Mooney said. “I have been endorsed by Trump for a reason, and I think it’s important to understand why he is supporting me. There are reasons why.
“Yes, I feel confident. I felt confident before, but I am actually more confident now.”
He explained Trump endorsed him because, “I’m a conservative.”
“I would offer that my opponent (McKinley) is more of a liberal Republican,” Mooney continued. “I’m a fighting conservative Republican. I’m a member of the Freedom Caucus. (Ohio Rep.) Jim Jordan is a member, as was Mark Meadows (R-N.C.) — who was Trump’s chief of staff.
“At this point in our nation’s history, we need Republicans who are going to fight for conservative values — not those who want to get along, or cooperate with Democrats. There is a big difference between myself and my opponent in that regard.”
Mooney said if a person considers themself “a true conservative,” he asks for their vote.
“If you want someone who is a liberal, you can vote for a Democrat, or McKinley, or someone else who is more liberal of a person,” he said.
After lunch in downtown Wheeling, Mooney planned to go door knocking in the area.
“I get a lot of information from what voters tell me going door to door, and I hear a lot about inflation,” he explained.
Mooney has proposed the Protecting Americans’ Savings Act bill, a bill that requires the Department of Treasury to look at how much people who have saved their money over time are being hurt by inflation, he explained.
The legislation asks the U.S. Department of the Treasury to assess in the next 30 days the feasibility and impact of raising the I bond cap. An I bond is a security that earns interest based on both a fixed rate and a rate that is set twice a year based on inflation.
“It’s entirely possible that your savings is less than the rate of inflation,” he explained. “You’re actually losing money through inflation.
“People see the price of gas, the price of groceries. Inflation is a big issue in this country right now. I hear that everywhere I go.”
He said fiscal responsibility is the difference between him and McKinley.
“I am trying to hold the line on what I consider as overspending at the federal government level,” Mooney said. “We have over $30 trillion in national debt already, and the spending I believe is out of control.
“You can’t spend your way out of an economic problem. I think we have to control our spending at the federal level so that inflation doesn’t continue to be a problem.”
As a congressman, Mooney said he has to consider both the needs of West Virginia and the nation.
“Both are important, because West Virginia is part of the nation,” he explained. “The issues we deal with for the country affect West Virginia in the same way.
“There are unique needs in West Virginia. For example, coal is big here. I do all I can to support the coal industry, of course. That’s less important than in other states, but we need to fight for coal in West Virginia.”
Protecting the state’s natural resources also is a priority, according to Mooney.
Mooney has represented West Virginia in the U.S. House for four two-year terms beginning in 2015. The newly configured District 2 consists of 17 counties, many of which Mooney did not previously represent.
“I am running for re-election, but the Northern Panhandle is new to the area,” he said. “But I have a voting record, and I encourage (voters) to look at that record and make their decision based on my record and bills I have sponsored — my actual work I have done, as opposed to attack ads on TV.
“The most important thing someone can offer voters is an actual voting record. Sometimes people say one thing, and then not do it. I have an actual voting record that shows exactly what I’ve done.”
Mooney, 50, also spoke of his background. His mother, Lala, was a Cuban refugee who escaped political imprisonment at age 21 shortly after the Bay of Pigs Invasion. His father, Vincent — a Vietnam veteran — served as an engineering captain and was awarded the Bronze Star while in the military.
Mooney also is the nephew of former Miami mayor Xavier Suarez, and the cousin of Miami’s current mayor, Francis X. Suarez.
“Both of my parents raised me to fight for this country,” Mooney said. “When people impugn my motives, frankly, I just want them to know I’m doing what I think is right for America. I believe in our freedoms, I believe in limited federal government and traditional family values. I will fight for that if they give me a chance.”