How To Use This Guide

1. Pick the issues you care about. Rank the two or three that matter most to you, such as prices, health care and Medicaid, clean water or the war with Iran.
2. Find which office handles them. The U.S. House and U.S. Senate write federal law and set the federal budget, including Medicaid, food assistance and water infrastructure funding, and only Congress can declare war. The Senate also confirms federal judges and approves treaties. The statewide amendment would change who the West Virginia Constitution says may vote.
3. Compare the candidates. Read where each candidate stands on your top issues, then read the candidates’ own words, endorsements and who funds each campaign.

The U.S. House Race

What This Office Does

U.S. House members serve two-year terms and vote on every federal law and the federal budget. All bills that raise taxes must start in the House. The 2nd District covers northern West Virginia, including the Eastern Panhandle, Morgantown and Parkersburg. It is one of two House seats the state has held since losing a seat after the 2020 census. ​

The district uses the same lines as in 2022 and 2024, under the congressional map that Sen. Jim Justice (R-WV), then the governor, signed on Friday, Oct. 22, 2021, according to Ballotpedia’s West Virginia redistricting page. The Cook Political Report and Inside Elections rate the race Solid Republican, and Sabato’s Crystal Ball rates it Safe Republican, according to Ballotpedia’s race overview.

Candidates In Brief

Republican Rep. Riley Moore (R-WV) of Harpers Ferry is seeking a second term. Moore was born in Morgantown and started out as a welder in a mining operation, according to Moore’s House biography. Moore later worked as a national security staffer for the House Foreign Affairs Committee, according to Moore’s Ballotpedia profile.

Moore served in the West Virginia House of Delegates from 2016 to 2018. Moore then served as state treasurer from 2021 to 2025 after unseating Treasurer John Perdue (D) in 2020 with 56.3% of the vote. Moore won the open House seat in 2024 with 70.8% and was unopposed in the Tuesday, May 12 Republican primary.

Democrat Ace Parsi was born in Iran, and Parsi’s family fled when Parsi was a child, according to West Virginia Public Broadcasting’s debate report. Parsi immigrated to the United States at age eight and a half, graduated from Penn State University in 2005 and works as an advocate for public education and democracy, according to Parsi’s Ballotpedia profile. Parsi won the May 12 Democratic primary with 39.8% of the vote to 37.9% for Stephanie Spears Tomana and 22.4% for Steven Wendelin.

Where They Stand

The 2025 tax and spending law. Moore voted for the law and says it made tax cuts permanent and expanded the child tax credit, which Moore called “a big deal for many people in this country.” Moore also points to “No tax on tips, no tax on overtime, no tax on Social Security income for our retirees.” Parsi calls the law “the biggest corporate tax giveaway in history” and says it “is gonna cut $8 billion of Medicaid over the course of the next 10 years.” Parsi would make repealing it a top priority, according to West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

Prices. Parsi says “Congress should exercise authority over tariffs so that people don’t pay more at the grocery stores,” according to Parsi’s campaign platform. Parsi also wants to end benefit cliffs that cut off aid as people earn more, and to fund rural hospitals while pursuing “a single-payer public option.” Moore’s campaign says Moore “stood up for our jobs against the radical green energy lobby,” according to Moore’s campaign website.

The war with Iran. Parsi says the war was not worth it. Parsi says the money spent could have paid to fix southern West Virginia’s water problems, which Parsi estimates at “$250 million.” Moore says Moore is not generally in favor of war but that Iran was close to building nuclear weapons. Moore says “we must become energy independent and stop being so intertwined with Middle Eastern oil.”

Water and infrastructure. Parsi calls for “Dedicated federal investment in replacing failing water infrastructure across West Virginia” and stronger enforcement against polluters. Moore says the district’s needs include “roads, water and bringing in new jobs.”

Data centers and technology. Parsi would require community referendums before data centers or transmission lines are built and would “Ban flock cameras and AI facilitated surveillance by public officials.” Moore sponsored a bill to bar payment networks from flagging gun store purchases, saying “Americans should never have their lawful firearm purchases tracked by financial institutions or payment processors.”

Schools and labor. Parsi wants to “Increase Title I funds for at-risk rural schools” and end right-to-work laws. Moore’s campaign says Moore “fought for school choice.”

In Their Own Words

Riley Moore, in a statement on Tuesday, July 14:

“The Second Amendment is not a second-class right.”

Ace Parsi, in Ballotpedia’s candidate survey:

“I know what it’s like when people are good and their government isn’t, when government is the greatest source of injustice in people’s lives.”

Questionnaires And Debates

Moore and Parsi debated on Wednesday, Oct. 14, at WRNR in Martinsburg, according to West Virginia Public Broadcasting. Parsi criticized Moore for “not being there” and skipping public forums. Moore called Parsi a professional protester who had shown up at Moore’s Morgantown office every Thursday. Parsi said Parsi had not taken part in demonstrations for more than a year. Parsi completed Ballotpedia’s 2026 Candidate Connection survey, and Moore did not.

Endorsements

President Donald Trump has endorsed Moore for reelection, according to the Washington Examiner’s endorsement tracker. Before the primary, the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce PAC endorsed Moore, according to the chamber’s 2026 primary endorsement list. AllCiv’s endorsement data also lists the Bull Moose Project among Moore’s backers.

AllCiv’s endorsement data lists the National Education Association and the New American Leaders Action Fund among Parsi’s backers. Parsi’s campaign says Parsi’s endorsements are “coming from across the state and across the aisle.”

Who Is Funding Them

These figures come from Federal Election Commission (FEC) reports for the 2026 cycle through Wednesday, Oct. 14, as compiled by Ballotpedia:

  • Moore reported raising $1,617,727 and spending $1,160,065, with $580,625 on hand. AllCiv’s Moore candidate page also lists $61,000 in campaign debt.
  • Parsi reported raising $276,741 and spending $187,965, with $88,775 on hand and no debt.

AllCiv’s West Virginia 2nd District race page shows $266 in outside spending in the race. Donors who give more than $200 in a cycle are listed by name in FEC filings, while smaller gifts are reported only as a lump total.

The Incumbent’s Record

Moore serves on the House Appropriations Committee, according to Ballotpedia. There, Moore is vice chair of the Legislative Branch Subcommittee and also sits on two others:

  • Commerce, Justice and Science
  • Labor, Health and Human Services and Education

This Congress, Moore has voted in 633 of 645 roll call votes and voted against most Republicans 13 times out of 596, according to AllCiv’s vote data. Moore has cosponsored 146 bills, and the 17 bills Moore sponsored drew 302 cosponsors.

Moore voted for the 2025 tax and spending law, which passed the House 218 to 214 on Thursday, July 3, 2025, according to the House clerk’s roll call. The House passed Moore’s Protecting Privacy in Purchases Act 221 to 201 on Tuesday, July 14, with five Democrats voting yes, according to The Reload. The bill would bar payment card networks and banks from assigning a separate merchant code to firearm retailers, according to Moore’s announcement.

Challengers’ Records

Parsi has not held public office. In Ballotpedia’s survey, Parsi describes Parsi as “a father, husband, public education supporter, and democracy advocate.”

The U.S. Senate Race

What This Office Does

U.S. senators serve six-year terms and vote on every federal law and the federal budget. The Senate also confirms presidential nominees, including federal judges and Cabinet members, and approves treaties. The Cook Political Report and Inside Elections rate the race Solid Republican, and Sabato’s Crystal Ball rates it Safe Republican, according to Ballotpedia’s Senate race overview.

Candidates In Brief

Republican Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) of Charleston is seeking a third term. Capito served seven terms in the U.S. House before winning the Senate seat in 2014 and was reelected in 2020, according to WTOV’s Senate race report. Capito won the May 12 Republican primary with 66.5% of the vote to 18.9% for Tom Willis.

Democrat Rachel Fetty Anderson of Morgantown is a public interest attorney, a mother of four and a former Morgantown City Council member, according to WTOV. Fetty Anderson earned a law degree from the University of Iowa in 1999, according to Fetty Anderson’s Ballotpedia profile. Fetty Anderson won the May 12 Democratic primary with 33.2% of the vote to 27.0% for Jeffrey Kessler.

Constitution Party nominee S. Marshall Wilson of Hedgesville is a retired Army infantry officer. Wilson served in the House of Delegates as a Republican from 2016 to 2020, according to the Charleston Gazette-Mail.

Rio Phillips, a Charleston community organizer, is running as a write-in candidate after leaving the Democratic Party following the primary, according to Ballotpedia. Phillips’ name will be posted at polling places but not printed on the ballot.

Where They Stand

The 2025 tax and spending law. Capito says “the working families tax cut is probably going to have the biggest impact on families” and points to the child tax credit and permanent small business tax relief. Capito says the goal for SNAP is to “eliminate fraud, eliminate any kind of abuse,” according to WVVA’s Senate race report. Fetty Anderson says many people who benefit from the tips tax break “lost their health insurance completely” when they tried to get Medicaid or Affordable Care Act coverage.

War, fuel prices and Iran. Capito urged the president to “bring the Iranian situation to a close.” Capito says more domestic energy production and faster permitting could lower prices at the pump. Fetty Anderson says “One hundred percent of the rise in diesel prices over the past year is related to the war and tariffs.” Wilson says “We are in an undeclared war in the Middle East” and wants to abolish federal fuel taxes, saying “That would change our economy vastly if we simply got rid of fuel taxes.”

Energy and the environment. Capito chairs the Environment and Public Works Committee and supports the administration’s repeal of carbon pollution standards for power plants. Capito has also brokered a pending permitting deal to speed transmission and grid projects, according to the Gazette-Mail. Fetty Anderson supports a moratorium on hyperscale data centers to “give our governments time to protect our air, water and communities.”

Federal spending and executive power. Wilson calls large omnibus spending bills “really corrupt” and would not support raising the debt ceiling without real cuts. Fetty Anderson says “Congress must act to return all Constitutional powers to the people” and wants Congress to “address blatant corruption in the Supreme Court.”

Health care, abortion and other priorities. Phillips supports Medicare for All, clean water for every West Virginian and legalizing cannabis. Wilson says there is no right to abortion and favors repealing the Patriot Act, according to the Gazette-Mail.

In Their Own Words

Shelley Moore Capito, to WVVA:

“I’m now at a point where I chair major committees, the Environment and Public Works Committee, I’m on appropriations.”

Rachel Fetty Anderson, to WTOV:

“West Virginia’s families are really being left behind, just struggling on unimaginable levels.”

S. Marshall Wilson, to WTOV:

“I’ve rejected that entire system and I’m holding fast to the Constitution.”

Rio Phillips, in Ballotpedia’s candidate survey:

“Every West Virginian deserves consistent, quality healthcare as a human right.”

Questionnaires And Debates

Fetty Anderson and Phillips completed Ballotpedia’s 2026 Candidate Connection survey, and Capito and Wilson did not. Fetty Anderson answered the Gazette-Mail’s candidate questions, and the Capito and Wilson campaigns did not respond. Fetty Anderson told WVVA that “If she wants to serve the people of West Virginia, she has to come to West Virginia, she has to talk to voters.”

Endorsements

Before the primary, Trump gave Capito a “complete and total endorsement” on Friday, May 16, 2025, according to WBOY’s report, posted by Capito’s office. Also before the primary, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce endorsed Capito on Friday, April 24, and the West Virginia Chamber PAC endorsed Capito. AllCiv’s endorsement data also lists Justice, Rep. Carol Miller (R-WV) and Moore among Capito’s backers.

AllCiv’s endorsement data lists Vote Common Good, the National Organization for Women PAC and the Feminist Majority Foundation PAC among Fetty Anderson’s backers.

Who Is Funding Them

These figures come from FEC reports for the 2026 cycle, as compiled by Ballotpedia:

  • Capito reported raising $7,314,563 and spending $6,714,017, with $3,071,076 on hand, through Oct. 14.
  • Fetty Anderson reported raising $164,558 and spending $135,873, with $35,681 on hand, through Oct. 14. AllCiv also lists $25,000 in campaign debt.
  • Wilson reported raising $65,287 and spending $64,037, with $1,250 on hand, through Oct. 14.
  • Phillips reported raising $13,776 and spending $13,624, with $152 on hand, through Wednesday, April 22.

AllCiv’s West Virginia U.S. Senate race page shows $338,000 in outside spending in the race. All of it supported Capito, according to Ballotpedia’s FEC data.

The Incumbent’s Record

Capito chairs the Environment and Public Works Committee and the Appropriations subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services and Education, according to AllCiv. Capito also chairs the Senate Republican Policy Committee, according to WTOV. This Congress, Capito has voted in 852 of 869 roll call votes and voted against most Republicans 6 times out of 841, according to AllCiv’s vote data. Capito has cosponsored 326 bills, and the 26 bills Capito sponsored drew 156 cosponsors.

Capito voted for the 2025 tax and spending law, according to the Gazette-Mail. Supporters say the law provides tax relief and expands the child tax credit, and critics say it makes deep cuts to health care and food assistance.

Challengers’ Records

Fetty Anderson served on the Morgantown City Council. Wilson served two terms in the West Virginia House of Delegates, representing District 60 from 2016 to 2020, according to Wilson’s Ballotpedia profile). Phillips has not held public office.

Scorecards Readers Can Check

All three of these groups grade both Moore and Capito:

Each group picks different votes to score, so their ratings measure different things.

Also On Your Ballot

Every West Virginia voter will see one proposed constitutional amendment, along with state legislative and local races. Sample ballots for all 55 counties are on the Secretary of State’s GoVoteWV site.

Amendment 1: Citizenship Requirement to Vote in West Virginia Elections. The ballot summary says the amendment “provides that in all elections held in West Virginia only citizens of the United States who are citizens of this state are qualified to vote,” according to the Wood County sample ballot. State law already bars people who are not U.S. citizens from voting, and the amendment would add that rule to the constitution, according to West Virginia Watch’s Amendment 1 report. A Yes vote adds the requirement to the constitution, and a No vote leaves the constitution as it is. The amendment needs more than 50% of the vote to pass.

The Legislature placed the amendment on the ballot through Senate Joint Resolution 9. The House approved an amended version 97 to 0 on Friday, March 13, and the Senate gave final approval 34 to 0 on Saturday, March 14, according to Ballotpedia News.

Lead sponsor State Sen. Patricia Rucker (R-Jefferson) says “This proposed amendment would ensure that no future Legislature could just simply change the election law with only a bill.” The League of Women Voters of West Virginia calls the amendment “completely unnecessary.” Julie Archer of West Virginia Citizen Action Group says it “scapegoats our immigrant neighbors to sow mistrust in our election results.”

Before You Go

Still Ahead

* Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3. Polls are open 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., according to the Secretary of State’s elections FAQ. Find your polling place on GoVoteWV.
* ID: This is the first statewide general election under West Virginia’s new photo ID law, according to West Virginia Watch’s early voting report. Accepted IDs include:
Without ID, you can vote a provisional ballot. It will count if you show your ID at your county clerk’s office before the canvass.
* A driver’s license or state ID.
* A U.S. passport.
* A government employee photo ID.
* A West Virginia student ID.
* A military ID.
* A photo voter registration card.
* Mail ballots must be postmarked by Election Day and reach your county clerk by the start of the canvass.
* Questions: Call the Secretary of State’s elections division at 304-558-6000 or 866-767-8683, or call or text the nonpartisan Election Protection hotline at 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683).

Deadlines That Have Passed

  • Registration closed Tuesday, Oct. 13, 21 days before the election.
  • Early voting ran from Wednesday, Oct. 21, through Saturday, Oct. 31.
  • Absentee ballot applications were due to county clerks by Wednesday, Oct. 28.
  • Hand-delivered absentee ballots were due to your county clerk by Monday, Nov. 2.

Sources

AllCiv Profiles and Race Pages

Official Records

Candidate Statements and Questionnaires

News

Ballot Measures

Endorsements

Scorecards

Voting Information

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