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West Virginia U.S. Senate Seat (Class II)

West Virginia · Next election 2026 · 2 active candidates · $8.8M raisedFederal
About This Office

One of two U.S. Senate seats representing the state of West Virginia. Senators serve six-year terms and represent the entire state population.

Total Seats
100
Term Length
6 years
Salary
$174,000
Current Officeholders
This Seat
Sen. Shelley Moore Capito
Sen. Shelley Moore CapitoR
U.S. Senator · West Virginia
Tenure
25y
Bills Spon.
26
Votes Missed
1.96%
Cross-party
62
Committees
ChairEnvironment and Public Works Committee
ChairLabor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies Subcommittee
Appropriations Committee
+11 more
Other Seats
Sen. Jim Justice
Sen. Jim JusticeR
U.S. Senator · West Virginia
The 2026 Race

12 candidates filed, 2 active for the 2026 Senate election in West Virginia. Party primary on May 12, 2026. General election on Nov 3, 2026.

Primary
May 12, 2026
General
Nov 3, 2026
Total Raised
$8.8M
Candidates
2 active / 12 filed
Incumbent
Shelley Moore CapitoR
Cash on Hand
$4.5M
Election History
YearWinnerResultRunner-UpTotal Votes
2024Jim Justice R68.8%Glenn Elliott D 27.8%747,702
2020Shelley Moore Capito R70.3%Paula Jean Swearengin D 27.0%778,918
2018Joe Manchin D49.5%Patrick Morrisey R 46.3%582,911
2014Shelley Moore Capito R62.1%Natalie Tennant D 34.5%453,659
2012Joe Manchin Iii D60.6%John R. Raese R 36.5%660,202
2008John D. Rockefeller Iv D63.7%Jay Wolfe R 36.3%702,189
2006Robert C. Byrd D77.0%John R. Raese R 23.0%206,562
2002John D. Rockefeller Iv D63.1%Jay Wolfe R 36.9%436,183
2000Robert C. Byrd D77.8%David T. Gallaher R 20.2%603,477
1996John D. Rockefeller Iv D76.6%Betty A. Burks R 23.4%595,614
1994Robert C. Byrd D69.0%Stan Klos R 31.0%420,936
1990John D. Rockefeller Iv D68.3%John Yoder R 31.7%404,305
1988Robert C. Byrd D64.8%M. Jay Wolfe R 35.2%634,547
1984Jay Rockefeller D51.8%John R. Raese R 47.7%722,212
1982Robert C. Byrd D68.5%Cleve Benedict R 30.8%565,314
State
Population
1,778,373
Median HH Income
$60K
Unemployment
5.4%
Bachelor's+
24.1%
Veterans
7.4%
Median Age
42.7
Mean HH Income
$81K
Poverty Rate
16.7%
HS or Higher
89.3%
Median Home Value
$163K
Median Rent
$872/mo
Owner-Occupied
74.9%
Under 18 / 65+
20.0% / 21.0%