WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito is running for reelection in 2020.
Capito, 65, made the announcement Thursday on MetroNews “Talkline” and on her various social media platforms.
“I’m excited about it. I think I’ve made great strides and I’d like to have West Virginians send me back,” Capito said.
Capito was elected to her first six-year term in 2014 defeating former West Virginia Secretary of State Natalie Tennant. Capito served seven two-year terms in the U.S. House before deciding to run for the Senate. Capito said she ran for the Senate to have a more powerful voice for West Virginia and she believes that’s occurred.
“We’ve worked on economic development, jobs are going up. We have broadband deployment moving in the right direction, although I’m not totally pleased where it’s at. We have created a regulatory environment to help the energy industry,” Capito said.
She said a second term would allow her to continue to work on the Appalachian Storage Hub project and issues in the health arena.
Capito, one of 25 women in the Senate, has three children and six grandchildren. She said she’s been discussing another run with her husband Charlie.
“This is a big decision for us. We just feel it’s too important. I’ve gotten my legs under me and I want to keep moving forward,” Capito said.
She described herself as a strong and loyal Republican during Thursday’s appearance on “Talkline” while admitting it’s a “little challenging” in the current environment but a challenge she’s willing to continue to face.
“I’m proud to stand for the personal responsibility that the Republican Party stands for, less government intrusions into your lives,” she said.
Capito said she’s been an eyewitness to the change of the state from “blue” to “red.” She was the only Republican elected in either the statewide or congressional elections when she was first elected to Congress in 2000. She said she’s been able to balance party with politics in the Senate.
“I’m the leader of the Republican Party in West Virginia and I think we have a great relationship no matter what the spectrum is, but if you’re going to get things done in the United States Senate, in particular, you have to work with both sides and I think I’m well-known for doing that,” Capito said.
