Who is Shelley Moore Capito and what is Capito running on in the 2026 West Virginia Senate race?

Shelley Moore Capito is the Republican candidate for West Virginia U.S. Senate, and the incumbent. U.S. senator since 2015 (first woman senator from WV); fourth-ranking Senate Republican and chair of the Environment and Public Works Committee; previously a U.S. House member. Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026.

The race

• The seat: Incumbent Shelley Moore Capito (R) seeking a third term.
• Rating: Solid R (Cook, Sabato, Inside Elections).

Why Capito is ahead

• West Virginia is among the most Republican states, and every major forecaster rates it Solid/Safe R.
• Capito is a two-term incumbent in Senate GOP leadership who won the primary with 66.5% after Trump endorsed her.
• Huge money gap: $5.77M raised vs $22,447 for Fetty Anderson as of May 2026.

What Capito is running on

• Economy. Backs ‘America First’ economic policies to create good-paying jobs and support businesses.
• Infrastructure. Prioritizes strengthening infrastructure.
• Energy. Wants investment in West Virginia energy and natural resources.
• Public safety. Pledges to keep communities safe.

In Capito’s own words

“My focus remains steadfast, we need to continue bolstering our economy to create good-paying jobs that support our businesses and workforce, strengthen our infrastructure, invest in West Virginia energy and our natural resources, and keep our communities safe.”

The other candidates

• Rachel Fetty Anderson (D)

Every race

See every Senate and governor race on the ballot, with each candidate’s chance of winning: the 2026 midterms at a glance.