Capito secures the GOP nomination for U.S. Senate in WV and will face Fetty Anderson in November

According to unofficial election results, Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., will face Democrat and Morgantown-based attorney Rachel Fetty Anderson to retain her U.S. Senate seat in the November general election.

According to the Associated Press, Capito was announced as the winner of the GOP primary at 7:57 p.m. 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 point, she had 33.1% of the vote with 89% of the votes counted. She prevailed against four other Democrats for the nomination – Jeff Kessler, who received 27% of the vote; 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 achieving victories with America First policies through my strong leadership in the U.S. Senate,” Capito said in a statement Tuesday night. “My focus remains unwavering – we must continue to strengthen our economy to create good-paying jobs that support our businesses and workforce, strengthen our infrastructure, invest in West Virginia’s energy and natural resources, and keep our communities safe.”

As the only woman in her crowded and hard-fought primary, Fetty Anderson said she originally filed to run for U.S. Senate because she wanted to see someone she would vote for as a Democrat on the ballot.

Fetty Anderson said if elected to Congress she would support Medicare for All legislation, restore abortion rights and codify the Equal Rights Amendment. She also wants checks and balance to be restored to the executive branch.

Fetty Anderson could not be reached for comment Tuesday evening.

In a Facebook Live broadcast Tuesday evening, Fetty Anderson said her successful campaign was a “team effort.”

“To my family in West Virginia, my new allies and old friends – we did it,” said Fetty Anderson. “We deserve the chance to continue working for the children and families of West Virginia. We deserve the chance to stand up for 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 fighting Capito for her U.S. Senate seat wouldn’t be simple.

“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 unwavering courage… Above all, we have a relentless message that comes from the heart: West Virginians and all Americans deserve better. We deserve spotless water; affordable food, energy and housing; good roads, the best education and accessible and affordable healthcare.”

State Senator Tom Williswho lives in Berkeley County, came second to Capito in this year’s closed Republican primary.

“Tonight’s result was not what we had hoped for, but I am deeply grateful to all the supporters, volunteers, friends and family who stood with us throughout this campaign,” said Willis, who is halfway through his first term in the state Senate. “We spread our message across West Virginia and proved that solid work, faith and grassroots conservatives still matter. I congratulate our Republican candidate 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 candidate 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 served in the U.S. Senate since 2015 and is the first woman from West Virginia to hold the position. She won the 2014 and 2020 elections by huge margins.

She is fourth in the Senate Republican majority leadership and serves as chairwoman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee.

President Donald Trump advocated Capito before election day.

Republican candidates Alexander Gaaserud, Bryan McKinney, Janet McNulty from and David Purkey lagged behind Willis and Capito.

“Thank you to the people of West Virginia who made our victory possible tonight with your vote, your time, your efforts, and to President Trump for his trust in me and his support,” Capito said. “I am 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 ​​in the November general election.”

The last Democratic candidate to hold the seat was Jay Rockefeller. who retired in 2014.