Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., will compete against Democrat and Morgantown-based attorney Rachel Fetty Anderson to keep her U.S. Senate seat in November’s general election, according to unofficial election results.
Capito was called as the winner of the GOP primary by 7:57 p.m., according to the Associated Press. Polls closed at 7:30 p.m. On the Democratic side, the AP called the race for Fetty Anderson at 10:18 p.m. At that time and with 89% of votes counted, she held 33.1% of the votes. She beat out four other Democrats for the nomination — Jeff Kessler, who took held 27% of the votes; Zach Shrewsbury (16.1%); Thornton Cooper (12.8%) and Rio Phillips (11%).
“Tonight, West Virginia Republicans sent a clear message that we are ready to continue delivering wins with America First policies through my strong leadership in the U.S. Senate,” Capito said in a statement Tuesday evening. “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.”
As the only woman in her crowded and competitive primary race, Fetty Anderson said she initially filed to run for U.S. Senate because she wanted to see someone on the ballot who she would vote for as a Democrat.
Fetty Anderson said, if elected to Congress, she would support Medicare for All legislation, restoring the right to abortion and codifying the Equal Rights Amendment. She also wants to see checks and balances restored to the executive branch.
Fetty Anderson could not be reached for comment on Tuesday night.
In a live broadcast on Facebook Tuesday night, Fetty Anderson said her successful campaign was a “team effort.”
“To my West Virginia family, my new allies and old friends — We did it,” Fetty Anderson said. “We earned the opportunity to keep working for West Virginia’s children and families. We earned the opportunity to stand up on behalf of our communities. For our water, our land, our schools. For fair wages and the infrastructure we need to bring jobs and workers back to our state.”
Fetty Anderson acknowledged that the fight against Capito to flip her U.S. Senate seat would not be easy.
“This will be the fight of our lives,” she said. “None of this will be easy … [but] we have a work ethic that is unstoppable. We have our integrity. We have our fierce courage … Most of all we have a relentless message that comes from the heart: West Virginians and all Americans deserve more. We deserve safe water; affordable food, energy and housing; good roads, the best education and accessible and affordable health care.”
State Sen. Tom Willis, who resides in Berkeley County, came in second place behind Capito in this year’s closed Republican primary.
“Tonight’s result was not what we hoped for, but I am deeply grateful to every supporter, volunteer, friend and family member who stood with us throughout this campaign,” said Willis, who is halfway through his first term in the state Senate. “We took our message across West Virginia and proved that hard work, faith and grassroots conservatives still matter. I congratulate our Republican nominee, Shelley Moore Capito, on her victory tonight. She ran a great race.
“Now is the time for all of us Republicans to come together and support our nominee for the future of our state and our country. Thank you for believing in this campaign and in the vision we fought for together,” he said.
Capito, 72, has been in the U.S. Senate since 2015 and is the first woman from West Virginia to hold that position. She won elections by wide margins in 2014 and 2020.
She is fourth in the Senate Republican majority leadership and serves as chairwoman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee.
President Donald Trump endorsed Capito ahead of Election Day.
Republican candidates Alexander Gaaserud, Bryan McKinney, Janet McNulty of and David Purkey fell short behind Willis and Capito.
“Thank you to the West Virginians who made our victory tonight possible through your vote, your time, your efforts, and to President Trump for his confidence in me and endorsement,” Capito said. “I’m honored by the trust the people of our state have placed in me and remain energized and ready to continue our positive message that represents our people and West Virginia values into the general election this November.”
The last Democratic candidate to hold the seat was Jay Rockefeller, who retired in 2014.
- 10:36 pm Editor’s note: Story was updated with results from the Democratic primary.
- 10:11 pm Editor’s note: Story was updated with quote from Sen. Tom Willis.
This article originally appeared on West Virginia Watch.
West Virginia Watch is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. West Virginia Watch maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Leann Ray for questions: info@westvirginiawatch.com.
