West Virginia Senate
Shelley Moore Capito (R) holds this seat and is running again. 3 candidates were on the ballot on November 3, 2026. The Cook Political Report rates it safe Republican.
Who should win this race, and why?Say what you think. Other readers can answer you.Discuss
Shelley Moore Capito
Republican · holds this seat today
ALiberty Score AOn the liberty side in 83 of 84 votes and bills.
Raised $5,449,866 since January 2025: 53% from people, 38% from PACs and other committees, 8% transfers and other income. The filing at FEC.gov
Rachel Fetty Anderson
Democrat · morgantown attorney, former city council member
FLiberty Score F55 out of 100 across 4 principles. Graded on what Anderson has said and done, because I have no votes in Congress to count for Anderson.
Raised $164,558 since January 2025: 76% from people, 22% the candidate’s own money, 2% from PACs and other committees. The filing at FEC.gov
Higher on Liberty Score: Shelley Moore Capito. Shelley Moore Capito: A, 99 out of 100 from recorded votes. Rachel Fetty Anderson: F, 55 out of 100 from words and actions, with no votes in Congress to count.
Voting in West Virginia: how to register, vote early or vote by mail. Election Day was November 3.
Side by side
A solid letter is a grade from recorded votes on that principle. An outlined letter is on the same scale, for a candidate with no votes: it comes from what that candidate has said and done, and every source is listed below.
Rachel Fetty Anderson, on the record
I have no votes in Congress to count for Anderson, so the grade above comes from this list: what Anderson has said and done on my principles. Each line has its source, and each is marked with the same test I use for votes.
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Criticised the US and Israeli strikes on Iran in a social media post carried by the Intermountain, saying the tax dollars were spent against a sovereign state to a foolish and bitter end.
“What we saw today was our tax dollars being pitted against a sovereign state to a foolish and bitter end.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
Unclear: the quoted words do not themselves name Iran (BRIEF rule 3), so the line does not settle the measure.
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Her campaign site backs a two-state solution and says she would send or sell weapons to any country only for self-defense.
“I support a two-state solution. Both Israel and Palestine deserve to exist. I would not vote to send or sell weapons to any country except for purely self-defense.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
A self-defense condition on arms names no cut to Israel and Israel's defence is self-defense, so the words do not settle the free nations test.
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Her campaign site supports alliances and mutual aid pacts with governments that share American values, without naming Ukraine, Taiwan or NATO.
“The safety and well-being of the American people depends on our relationships with other humans in the world and we must remain a trustworthy and reliable partner.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
General support for alliances with no ally or policy named does not settle the free nations test.
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Said she would not vote to send or sell weapons to any country except for purely self-defense, in the Israel and Palestine section of her issues page.
“I would not vote to send or sell weapons to any country except for purely self-defense.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
The rule covers every country and does not name Israel or set a condition on it, so it does not settle the measure.
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Her campaign site calls for an end to government manipulation of the press and the unfair handing out of broadcast licences.
“We must demand accountability for actions that suppress our First Amendments Rights, education for our children that upholds the values expressed in our Constitution and an end to corrupt manipulation of the press and media outlets and unfair distribution of licensing and other FCC privileges”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Opposing government pressure on the press is on the with side of the free speech measure.
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Her campaign site supports raising the top marginal income tax rate on earnings over $500,000 a year.
“I support the elimination of the "Buy, Borrow, Die" tax loop-hole, the increase of the marginal tax rate of earners of over $500,000.00 per year”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
Higher taxes are against liberty on free markets.
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Her campaign site proposes ending the cap on income subject to Social Security tax.
“End the cap on Social Security taxes above $184,500, with moderated increased payments to higher earners;”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
Removing the cap raises payroll taxes on higher earners, which is against liberty on free markets.
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Her campaign site backs full equality for women nationwide and the Equal Rights Amendment, which bans discrimination based on sex.
“We support full equality, nationwide, for women and support the adoption of the Equal Rights Amendment that bans discrimination based on sex.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Equal rights under one law regardless of sex is with liberty on equal rights; the line names no sport, prison or school rule.
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Her campaign site says officials who put religious texts in schools and fund religious institutions are breaking the Constitution.
“At the same time, federal and state officials are acting in direct violation of the Constitution to establish specific religious texts in schools and funding religious institutions.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Opposing religious texts in public schools by law is with liberty on conscience.
Also on the ballot
S. Marshall Wilson (Constitution).
Who is on the ballot: the state election offices, as listed on Wikipedia on November 3, 2026, checked against the candidate file of the Federal Election Commission. Race rating: the Cook Political Report, November 2, 2026. See a name that is wrong or missing? Say so in the discussion.
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West Virginia Senate
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