2026 United States Senate election in West Virginia
November 3, 2026
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| Elections in West Virginia |
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The 2026 United States Senate election in West Virginia will be held on November 3, 2026, to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the state of West Virginia. Primary elections will be held on May 12, 2026. Incumbent two-term Republican Senator Shelley Moore Capito, who was re-elected in 2020 is running for re-election to a third term in office.[1]
Republican primary
Candidates
Declared
- Alex Gaaserud, third party logistics executive and candidate for West Virginia's 2nd congressional district in 2024[2]
- Bryan McKinney, sales consultant and candidate for U.S. Senate in 2024[3]
- Janet McNulty, retail worker and candidate for West Virginia House of Delegates in 2022 and U.S. Senate in 2024[3]
- Shelley Moore Capito, incumbent U.S. senator (2015–present)[4]
- David Purkey, staff engineer[3]
- Tom Willis, state senator from the 15th district (2024–present) and candidate for U.S. Senate in 2018[5]
Withdrawn
- Derrick Evans, former state delegate from the 19th district (2020–2021), candidate for West Virginia's 1st congressional district in 2024, convicted participant in the January 6 United States Capitol attack[6]
Endorsements
Shelley Moore Capito
- Executive branch officials
- Donald Trump, president of the United States (2017–2021, 2025–present)[7]
- U.S. senators
- Jim Justice, West Virginia (2025–present)[8]
- U.S. representatives
- Carol Miller, WV-01 (2019–present)[8]
- Riley Moore, WV-02 (2025–present)[8]
- Organizations
Tom Willis
- Organizations
Fundraising
| Campaign finance reports as of December 31, 2025 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Raised | Spent | Cash on hand |
| Janet McNulty (R) | $305 | $305 | $0 |
| Shelley Moore Capito (R) | $4,455,752 | $2,587,444 | $4,355,005 |
| Tom Willis (R) | $387,879 | $224,647 | $163,231 |
| Source: Federal Election Commission[13] | |||
Democratic primary
Candidates
Declared
- Rachel Fetty Anderson, former Morgantown city councilmember[3]
- Thornton Cooper, attorney and nominee for Secretary of State in 2024[3]
- Jeff Kessler, former President of the West Virginia Senate, candidate for Governor of West Virginia in 2011 and 2016, and candidate for Supreme Court of Appeals in 2018[14]
- Rio Phillips, cybersecurity technician[3]
- Zach Shrewsbury, political organizer and candidate for U.S. Senate in 2024[15]
Endorsements
Rachel Fetty Anderson
- Organizations
Fundraising
| Campaign finance reports as of December 31, 2025 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Raised | Spent | Cash on hand |
| Rio Phillips (D) | $6,844 | $4,682 | $2,161 |
| Zach Shrewsbury (D) | $259,631 | $249,599 | $10,032 |
| Source: Federal Election Commission[13] | |||
General election
Predictions
| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| Inside Elections[17] | Solid R | August 12, 2025 |
| The Cook Political Report[18] | Solid R | October 14, 2025 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[19] | Solid R | August 12, 2025 |
| Race To The WH[20] | Safe R | September 4, 2025 |
References
- ^ "West Virginia 2020 Senate election results". www.cnn.com. Retrieved May 13, 2025.
- ^ "Alexander Gaaserud formally announces the launch of his campaign for West Virginia's U.S. Senate Election in 2026". EIN Presswire. November 22, 2024. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f "2026 Primary Election State Candidates List". West Virginia Secretary of State. Retrieved January 13, 2026.
- ^ EDITOR, Charles Young DEPUTY MANAGING (December 15, 2025). "Sen. Shelley Moore Capito announces 2026 reelection bid for U.S. Senate". WV News.
- ^ McElhinny, Brad (May 21, 2025). "Tom Willis, new to state Senate, soft launches campaign for U.S. Senate". West Virginia MetroNews. Retrieved May 23, 2025.
- ^ Young, Charles (June 12, 2025). "Jan. 6 rioter pardoned by Trump announces 2026 congressional run in West Virginia". WV News. Retrieved June 12, 2025.
- ^ "Trump endorses Capito". May 15, 2025. Retrieved May 19, 2025.
- ^ a b c Young, Charles (December 16, 2025). "Capito secures endorsements from WV congressional delegation after announcing 2026 re-election campaign". WV News. Retrieved December 16, 2025.
- ^ "- AIPAC Political Portal". candidates.aipacpac.org. Retrieved May 31, 2025.
- ^ Biddison, Jennifer (March 3, 2025). "Maggie's List Announces First Round of 2026 Senate Endorsements". Maggie's List. Retrieved November 17, 2025.
- ^ "22 Republicans endorsed by LGBT organization: Full list of names". Newsweek. February 3, 2026. Retrieved February 4, 2026.
- ^ Horlander, Mary Kate (February 20, 2026). "Students for Life President Kristan Hawkins Endorses Tom Willis for U.S. Senator for West Virginia". SFL Action. Retrieved February 20, 2026.
- ^ a b "2026 Election United States Senate - West Virginia". fec.gov. Federal Election Commission. Retrieved October 29, 2025.
- ^ "Former WV Senate President Jeff Kessler enters 2026 U.S. Senate race". WVNews. January 30, 2026.
- ^ "Marine Vet Zach Shrewsbury in Run for Capito Senate Seat". Morgan County USA. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
- ^ "Candidates for Common Good". Candidates for CommonGood. February 4, 2026. Retrieved February 4, 2026.
- ^ Gonzales, Nathan L. "Senate Ratings". Inside Elections. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
- ^ "2026 CPR Senate Race ratings". Cook Political Report. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
- ^ "2026 Senate". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
- ^ "2026 Senate Forecast". Race to the WH. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
External links
- Official campaign websites