U.S. Senate · West Virginia

The entire state of West Virginia.

General election · Tuesday, November 3, 2026

✓ Fact-checked 2026-09-25: 21 claims re-checked against their sources

A second, independent research pass re-opened every cited source for this race and corrected or removed anything the source didn’t support.

  • Fetched all 4 cited sources (Ballotpedia race overview, Capito, Fetty Anderson, S. Marshall Wilson). All facts, primary vote percentages (66.5%/33.2%), quotes, background details, 119th Congress committee assignments, and priority text matched their cited sources verbatim.
  • Confirmed Rio Phillips is correctly excluded from the candidate list: the race overview source states he left the Democratic Party after losing the primary and 'launched an official write-in campaign,' so he is not printed on the Nov 3 ballot.
  • Confirmed the printed general-election slate (Capito-R, Fetty Anderson-D, S. Marshall Wilson-Constitution Party) matches Ballotpedia's current race page exactly.

On the ballot · 3 candidates

Where they stand — side by side

Only positions documented in a cited source are shown. Where an officeholder’s recorded votes speak to an issue, the votes set the position (marked “votes”). A dash means we found no clear public position — not that the candidate has none.

ISSUEShelley Moore Capito
R
Rachel Fetty Anderson
D
S. Marshall Wilson
Constitution Party
Protect legal access to abortion—Supports[3]Opposes[5]votes
Expand immigration enforcement and deportationsSupports[6][7][8]votes——
Raise taxes on high earners or corporationsOpposes[7][8]votesSupports[3]—
Expand public health coverageOpposes[7][8][11]votes——
Faster transition away from fossil fuelsOpposes[7][8]votes——
Broad tariffs on imported goodsSupports[9][10]votes——

The candidates, in full

Shelley Moore Capito

RINCUMBENTU.S. Senator (since 2015)

Won the May 12 Republican primary with 66.5% of the vote

Shelley Moore Capito is the incumbent U.S. Senator from West Virginia, seeking re-election in 2026. She chairs the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works.[2]

Basic profile — the most important sourced facts we found.

Key votes in Congress

  • YesConsolidated Appropriations Act, 2026 — Senate passage · H.R. 7148 · Bill Passed 71–29 · 2026-01-30 roll call ↗The bill provides full-year discretionary appropriations for federal agencies for the remainder of fiscal year 2026, replacing the stopgap funding enacted after the fall 2025 shutdown. It sets spending levels across defense and non-defense programs through September 2026.
  • YesNational Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 — final passage · S. 1071 · Motion Agreed to 77–20 · 2025-12-17 roll call ↗The fiscal year 2026 NDAA authorizes roughly $900 billion in defense spending, including a pay raise for service members and funding for shipbuilding, munitions, and missile-defense programs. This vote sent the House-Senate compromise version to the President, who signed it into law the next day.
  • YesContinuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026 — shutdown-ending vote · H.R. 5371 · Bill Passed 60–40 · 2025-11-10 roll call ↗The bill reopened the federal government after a 43-day shutdown by funding most agencies through January 30, 2026, and providing full-year funding for a smaller group of agencies through September 2026. Eight members of the Democratic caucus joined nearly all Republicans to pass it.
  • NoWar Powers Resolution on Venezuela — motion to discharge · S.J. Res. 90 · Motion to Discharge Rejected 49–51 · 2025-11-06 roll call ↗S.J.Res. 90 would have directed the President to end military hostilities within or against Venezuela that Congress had not authorized, after U.S. strikes on suspected drug-trafficking vessels in the region. A motion to discharge the resolution from committee failed, blocking a vote on final passage.
  • NoResolution to end the global tariff emergency · S.J. Res. 88 · Joint Resolution Passed 51–47 · 2025-10-30 roll call ↗S.J.Res. 88 terminates the national emergency the President used to impose broad tariffs on imports from most countries under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. Unlike an earlier April 2025 attempt, this resolution passed the Senate, though it still required House and presidential action to take effect.
  • YesOne Big Beautiful Bill Act — Senate passage · H.R. 1 · Bill Passed 50–50 · 2025-07-01 roll call ↗H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, extends and expands the 2017 tax cuts, adds new deductions for tips, overtime pay, and seniors, and increases border security and defense spending. It reduces projected Medicaid and SNAP spending and adds new work requirements; Vice President Vance cast the tie-breaking vote.
  • NoWar Powers Resolution on Iran — motion to discharge · S.J. Res. 59 · Motion to Discharge Rejected 47–53 · 2025-06-27 roll call ↗S.J.Res. 59 would have directed the President to end U.S. military hostilities against Iran that Congress had not authorized, following U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities earlier that month. A motion to discharge the resolution from committee failed, preventing a vote on final passage.
  • YesGENIUS Act — Senate passage · S. 1582 · Bill Passed 68–30 · 2025-06-17 roll call ↗The GENIUS Act creates a federal regulatory framework for payment stablecoins, requiring issuers to hold reserves backing their tokens on a one-to-one basis and comply with new disclosure and licensing rules. It was the first major piece of cryptocurrency legislation to clear Congress.
  • NoResolution to end the global tariff emergency · S.J. Res. 49 · Joint Resolution Defeated 49–49 · 2025-04-30 roll call ↗S.J.Res. 49 would have terminated the national emergency the President declared in April 2025 to impose broad tariffs on imports from most U.S. trading partners. The resolution failed on a tied 49-49 vote.
  • YesFull-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025 — Senate passage · H.R. 1968 · Bill Passed 54–46 · 2025-03-14 roll call ↗The bill funded the federal government through the remainder of fiscal year 2025, largely at prior-year spending levels, averting a shutdown. It also extended several expiring health and other program authorizations.
  • YesConfirmation of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as HHS Secretary · PN Kennedy · Nomination Confirmed 52–48 · 2025-02-13 roll call ↗The Senate confirmed Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to serve as Secretary of Health and Human Services, overseeing federal health, food-safety, and drug-regulatory agencies. Senator Mitch McConnell was the only Republican to vote against the nomination.
  • YesConfirmation of Pamela Bondi as Attorney General · PN Bondi · Nomination Confirmed 54–46 · 2025-02-04 roll call ↗The Senate confirmed Pamela Bondi, Florida's former attorney general, to serve as U.S. Attorney General, leading the Justice Department. The vote fell largely along party lines.
  • YesConfirmation of Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense · PN Hegseth · Nomination Confirmed 50–50 · 2025-01-24 roll call ↗The Senate confirmed Pete Hegseth, a former Fox News host and Army National Guard officer, to serve as Secretary of Defense. Vice President JD Vance cast the tie-breaking vote after three Republican senators joined all Democrats in voting against the nomination.
  • YesLaken Riley Act — Senate passage · S. 5 · Bill Passed 64–35 · 2025-01-20 roll call ↗The Laken Riley Act requires the Department of Homeland Security to detain undocumented immigrants who are arrested, charged, or convicted for theft, burglary, or certain violent crimes. It also allows state attorneys general to sue the federal government over certain immigration enforcement decisions.
  • NoAffordable Care Act — final House passage · H.R. 3590 · Passed 219–212 · 2010-03-21 roll call ↗Established health-insurance marketplaces with premium subsidies, expanded Medicaid eligibility, and barred insurers from denying coverage for pre-existing conditions.

On the record — official actions

  • actionChairs the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works for the 119th Congress (2025-2026), and serves on the Senate Committee on Appropriations and the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.[2]

Positions on the issues

  • SupportsExpand immigration enforcement and deportationsFrom recorded votes

    Voted yes on Laken Riley Act (S. 5, 2025-01-20). Voted yes on One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1, 2025-07-01), which funded expanded immigration enforcement, detention and border operations.[6][7][8]

  • SupportsBroad tariffs on imported goodsFrom recorded votes

    Voted no on Resolution to end the global tariff emergency (S.J. Res. 49, 2025-04-30). Voted no on Resolution to end the global tariff emergency (S.J. Res. 88, 2025-10-30).[9][10]

  • OpposesExpand public health coverageFrom recorded votes

    Voted yes on One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1, 2025-07-01), which reduced federal Medicaid spending and added Medicaid work requirements. Voted no on Affordable Care Act (H.R. 3590, 2010-03-21).[7][8][11]

  • OpposesFaster transition away from fossil fuelsFrom recorded votes

    Voted yes on One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1, 2025-07-01), which phased out Inflation Reduction Act clean-energy tax credits.[7][8]

  • OpposesRaise taxes on high earners or corporationsFrom recorded votes

    Voted yes on One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1, 2025-07-01), which made the 2017 individual tax rates, including the 37% top rate, permanent.[7][8]

Background

  • Earned a bachelor's degree from Duke University and a master's degree in education from the University of Virginia.[2]
  • Worked as a college counselor and director of an educational information center before entering politics.[2]
  • Served in the West Virginia House of Delegates before her election to the U.S. House in 2000; is the first Republican woman elected to Congress from West Virginia.[2]
  • Founded the Congressional Coal Caucus after an explosion killed 29 coal workers; is a former chairwoman of the Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues.[2]

Campaign money

Raised $4.6M · spent $2.6M · $4.4M cash on hand (through 2026-06-30) FEC filing ↗

Rachel Fetty Anderson

D

Won the May 12 Democratic primary with 33.2% of the vote

Rachel Fetty Anderson is a public interest attorney running as the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate from West Virginia.[3]

Basic profile — the most important sourced facts we found.

Positions on the issues

  • SupportsProtect legal access to abortion

    Says pregnant people are entitled to autonomous decision-making over their bodies, including the right to choose or refuse medical care.[3]

    “All adult humans have the same human rights regardless of the nature of their reproductive capacity including the right to appropriate educational services, autonomous decision making over their bodies, to choose or refuse medical care, including birth control, to choose their providers and to exercise their rights to privacy.”
  • SupportsRaise taxes on high earners or corporations

    Supports raising the marginal tax rate on income over $500,000 per year.[3]

    “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.”

In their words — priorities

  • "I am committed to improving the health, safety and environment of our people and our children."[3]
  • "HUMAN RIGHTS: Your humanity is enough... we will afford you access to the processes, protections, resources and rights granted to you by the law."[3]

Background

  • Was homeschooled and earned a GED.[3]
  • Earned a bachelor's degree from Iowa State University (1996) and a law degree from the University of Iowa (1999).[3]
  • Career experience includes working as an attorney representing children, families, and individuals in the foster care and child welfare system.[3]

Campaign money

Raised $50K · spent $35K · $22K cash on hand (through 2026-06-30) FEC filing ↗

S. Marshall Wilson

Constitution PartyFormer member, West Virginia House of Delegates

S. Marshall Wilson is a former West Virginia state delegate running as the Constitution Party nominee for U.S. Senate.[4]

Basic profile — the most important sourced facts we found.

On the record — official actions

  • vote2018-03-05 · Voted yes on SJR 12 (a constitutional amendment stating the West Virginia Constitution does not protect a right to abortion or require public funding of abortion), which the House of Delegates adopted 73-26 on March 5, 2018.[5]

Positions on the issues

  • OpposesProtect legal access to abortionFrom recorded votes

    As a West Virginia state delegate, voted yes on SJR 12, a constitutional amendment stating that nothing in the West Virginia Constitution protects a right to abortion or requires public funding of abortion; the House adopted it 73-26 on March 5, 2018, and voters approved it as Amendment 1 that November.[5]

In their words — priorities

  • Campaign website material emphasizes constitutional government and states that the purpose of West Virginia's government must follow the U.S. Constitution as "the supreme Law of the Land."[4]

Background

  • Born in Beaufort, South Carolina; served in the U.S. Army.[4]
  • Graduated from Louisiana State University and earned an executive master of arts in national security affairs from the Institute of World Politics.[4]
  • Career experience includes working as a missionary to Peru and as a teacher at Liberty University.[4]
  • Served in the West Virginia House of Delegates, including on the House Judiciary Committee and House Health and Human Resources Committee.[4]

Campaign money

Raised $2,420 · spent $1,921 · $499 cash on hand (through 2026-06-30) FEC filing ↗

Research notes & limits

Rio Phillips is listed by Ballotpedia as a write-in independent candidate in the general election (after running and losing in the Democratic primary); write-in candidates are not printed on the ballot and were excluded. Federal key votes and FEC finance totals for Sen. Capito are added separately by script.

Sources · 11

Researched 2026-09-25. Green citations are official government records.

  1. 1.United States Senate election in West Virginia, 2026 · Ballotpedia Reference
  2. 2.Shelley Moore Capito · Ballotpedia Reference
  3. 3.Rachel Fetty Anderson · Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey Candidate's own words
  4. 4.S. Marshall Wilson · Ballotpedia Reference
  5. 5.House of Delegates Roll Call #309, SJR 12 adoption (73-26) · West Virginia House of Delegates · 2018-03-05 Official record
  6. 6.Roll call: Laken Riley Act — Senate passage · U.S. Senate · 2025-01-20 Official record
  7. 7.Roll call: One Big Beautiful Bill Act — Senate passage · U.S. Senate · 2025-07-01 Official record
  8. 8.H.R. 1 (119th Congress) — One Big Beautiful Bill Act: text and summary · Congress.gov Official record
  9. 9.Roll call: Resolution to end the global tariff emergency · U.S. Senate · 2025-04-30 Official record
  10. 10.Roll call: Resolution to end the global tariff emergency · U.S. Senate · 2025-10-30 Official record
  11. 11.Roll call: Affordable Care Act — final House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2010-03-21 Official record