3 candidates are on the ballot. Below is what each one says they stand for, what they have actually done in office or in public life, and the arguments published for and against them — each quoted from a named source rather than summarised by us.
3 candidates · ballot order · Shelley Moore Capito currently holds this seat
Medium confidenceMedium confidenceThe candidate's stated positions and basic record are documented, but coverage is thin — often little independent reporting, or criticism from only one side.What would raise it: More independent reporting, a documented voting record, or published criticism from a named opponent would raise this.
What they say they stand for
Their own words. Claims, not verified facts.
Homeland security and border enforcement.
Expanding broadband across West Virginia, and transportation and infrastructure investment.
Energy production and environment policy, which she directs as Environment and Public Works chair.
Fighting the drug epidemic.
Veterans, health care, education and economic development.
Support for President Trump's agenda, including the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
U.S. Senator from West Virginia since January 2015; the first woman to represent the state in the Senate.
U.S. Representative for West Virginia's 2nd district, 2001–2015.
Chairwoman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee.
Chairwoman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies.
Fourth in the Senate Republican leadership.
Authored the Childhood Cancer STAR Act, which received $30 million in funding.
In 2017 announced opposition to the Senate Republican health care bill, saying it cut traditional Medicaid too deeply and harmed rural providers, then voted to proceed on repeal legislation.
Voted for the 2025 tax and spending law known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
Won the May 12 2026 Republican primary with 66.5%.
Endorsed by President Trump and Vice President JD Vance.
Arguments in favor
She chairs the Environment and Public Works Committee and the Labor-HHS Appropriations Subcommittee and sits fourth in Senate Republican leadership — an unusual amount of institutional power for a state of 1.8 million.
— Sen. Shelley Moore Capito's Senate office
She authored the Childhood Cancer STAR Act, funded at $30 million, and has delivered broadband, transportation and infrastructure investment to West Virginia.
— Sen. Shelley Moore Capito's Senate office
'Senator Shelley Moore Capito is doing a tremendous job representing the Wonderful People of West Virginia' — she has the President's complete and total endorsement, and the Vice President's support.
— President Donald Trump, in his endorsement
Arguments against
She voted for legislation cutting a billion dollars of Medicaid benefits and cutting SNAP benefits for children and families, while providing tax breaks to out-of-state billionaires.
— Rachel Fetty Anderson, her Democratic opponent
She has not protected the programmes West Virginians rely on to meet basic needs, and has been publicly urged by state policy advocates to do so.
— West Virginia Center on Budget & Policy
She promised to protect Medicaid — 'I only see it through the lens of a vulnerable population who needs help' — then voted to proceed on health care repeal after a presidential visit to West Virginia, turning her back on the more than 180,000 West Virginians who rely on the programme. (This criticism dates from 2017, not the current campaign.)
— Democratic National Committee, 2017
What we couldn’t verify
Very little 2026-specific attack material on her could be located; the sharpest available criticism is either her opponent's general characterisation of her votes or a 2017 DNC statement. A reviewer should look for current material before publication.
Her response to the Medicaid and SNAP criticism of the 2025 tax and spending law.
Her position on federal abortion legislation.
How her 2017 opposition to Medicaid cuts squares with her 2025 vote.
Support for families, caregivers and workers — covering the safety, education and care of infants, children, elders and people living with disability and illness.
Protecting Medicaid and SNAP benefits for West Virginia children and families.
Opposing tax breaks for out-of-state billionaires.
Human rights and community support as an explicit framework for policy.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Former Morgantown city councilwoman.
Attorney; does pro bono legal work.
Bachelor's degree from Iowa State University, 1996; law degree from the University of Iowa, 1999.
Won the May 12 2026 Democratic primary with 33.2%, about 30,930 votes, in a five-candidate field including former state Senate president Jeff Kessler.
Has not held office above the municipal level.
Arguments in favor
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
Arguments against
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
What we couldn’t verify
No criticism of her by name, from anyone opposing her, could be located — national Republicans have not engaged this race and coverage of her is thin. Because arguments against her could not be sourced, arguments for her are also left empty so the two columns stay comparable rather than presenting a one-sided case. Her platform is recorded above instead.
Her positions on energy and coal, which are central in West Virginia and which no source located addressed.
Her positions on abortion, immigration and foreign policy.
Her campaign fundraising, and whether any national Democratic committee is supporting her.
Positions and criticism are quoted from the named sources, not our assessments. This is built to help you start getting informed — confirm the official candidate list with your election authority before you vote.
Roster established from West Virginia Watch, the Charleston Gazette-Mail, WSAZ, the Washington Post and Ballotpedia, cross-checked. Republican incumbent Shelley Moore Capito won the May 12 2026 primary with 66.5%, about 80,376 votes, over state Sen. Tom Willis and four others. Rachel Fetty Anderson won a five-candidate Democratic primary with 33.2%, about 30,930 votes, ahead of former state Senate president Jeff Kessler (27.0%) and Zach Shrewsbury (16.2%). S. Marshall Wilson is the Constitution Party nominee. Rio Phillips, who ran in the Democratic primary, is listed as a write-in candidate and is therefore not included below.
Note on balance: no criticism of Rachel Fetty Anderson by name, from anyone opposing her, could be located — national Republicans have not engaged this race. Rather than manufacture one, both argument columns are left empty for her and her platform is recorded under what she stands for.
This is one contest on a longer ballot
A West Virginia ballot also carries state legislative districts, county offices, judicial seats and often local questions — and which of them you vote on is decided by your street address, not your city or ZIP code.
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