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Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.)

U.S. Representative (since January 2001)

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Why She Matters

The daughter of a longtime West Virginia governor, Capito has impressed Republicans by establishing herself as a fixture in the state's once-Democratic 2nd district. The former education administrator replaced then-Rep. Bob Wise (D) in 2000 and has held the seat tightly ever since.

Capito has built a relatively moderate voting record. She crossed party lines to support several of Democrats top priorities after they retook Congress in 2006. At the same time, she campaigned hard for President George W. Bush's 2003 prescription-drug bill and has been a staunch opponent of climate change legislation that she argues would harm her state's coal industry.

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News From Around The Web

West Virginia politicians condemn IRS alleged actions via West Virginia Metro News

 

Herseth Sandlin and the US House to Senate Pathway via Smart Politics

 

Troubles have GOP hoping for Senate via New York Post

 

House Prospects Snub a Senate Run and Who Can Blame Them? via Roll Call

 

House speaker resignation sparks political jockeying via Charleston Daily Mail

Article

SPIN METER: House GOP raps Dems for taking IRS union cash, but Republicans took the money, too

(J. Scott Applewhite / Associated Press)

Associated Press

WASHINGTON — Seeking maximum political gain from the string of controversies swirling around the White House, Republicans are on the attack against Democratic lawmakers who accepted donations from the union that represents Internal Revenue Service employees.

Article

SPIN METER: House GOP raps Dems for taking IRS union cash, but Republicans took the money, too

Associated Press

WASHINGTON — Seeking maximum political gain from the string of controversies swirling around the White House, Republicans are on the attack against Democratic lawmakers who accepted donations from the union that represents Internal Revenue Service employees.

Post Politics

Capito draws primary opponent in W.Va. Senate race

Pat McGeehan is a former intelligence officer who served one term in the state House and lost a pair of state Senate races in 2010 and 2012.

The Plum Line

Dems going on offense on Obamacare

Republicans vow to use Obamacare implementation as a weapon to bash Dems in 2014, but Dems are not running way from the law.

The Fix

Rep. Shelley Moore Capito will run for Senate

Rep. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) will announce Monday that she will run for Senate in 2014, according to a source with knowledge of her plans.

 
News From Around The Web

Local lawmakers want action on IRS via The Herald-Star

 

House again votes to repeal Obama health law via MarketWatch

 

The EPA's latest proposal would prevent new coal-fired power plants via Charleston Daily Mail

 

Gov. Tomblin is rolling in political capital via Charleston Daily Mail

 

The time is 'dynamic,' says Orrick CEO via The Herald-Star

Post Politics

Conservative backlash to Shelley Moore Capito grows

Another conservative group has come out against Rep. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), who announced her Senate candidacy Monday.

The Fix

West Virginia: A Senate GOP model that's difficult to replicate

(Jonathan Waterman / JONATHAN WATERMAN)

It's been smooth sailing for Republicans in West Virginia so far. But it'll be hard for them to replicate that level of success elsewhere across the map.

Post Politics

Shelley Moore Capito: GOP needs more diversity

"Diversity in our delegation is needed, and I am both a woman and a Republican," she said.

Topic

Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.)

U.S. Representative (since January 2001)

 
 

At a Glance

  • Career History: West Virginia House of Delegates (1996-2000); Director, Educational Information Center, WV Board of Regents (1978-1981); Career counselor, West Virginia State College (1976-1978)
  • Birthday: November 26, 1953
  • Hometown: Glen Dale, W.Va.
  • Alma Mater: Duke University, B.S. 1975; University of Virginia, M. Ed. 1976
  • Spouse: Charles
  • Religion: Presbyterian
  • Committees: Financial Services ; Transportation and Infrastructure
  • DC Office: 2443 Rayburn House Office Building, 202-225-2711
  • District Offices: Charleston, 304-925-5964; Martinsburg, 304-264-8810
  • Web site
 

Path to Power

Capito was born in 1953, when her father, Arch Moore (R), was serving in the West Virginia House of Delegates. Capito would grow up splitting time between northern West Virginia and Washington D.C. while Moore served in the U.S. House from 1957 to 1969. Moore was elected governor three times, in 1968, 1972 and 1984.

A graduate of Duke University and the University of Virginia, Capito was a Cherry Blossom Princess while in college. She would later become the first princess elected to Congress.

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The Issues

During the 110th Congress, Capito voted with her party 87.8 percent of the time. As of 2010, she has a lifetime American Conservative Union rating of 70.

On social issues, Capito is at odds with most of her GOP colleagues. She has supported legislation easing restrictions of federal funding for stem-cell research. Capito has received campaign funds from WISH List, an organization that backs Republicans who support abortion rights. She did back an amendment to the November 2009 version of the health-care reform bill that inserted language banning federal funding of abortions.

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The Network

Capito is a close friend of Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Fla.) and the two have been known to sit next to each other at every State of the Union address.

West Virginia's congressional delegation has often worked together on energy and coal issues. Capito has a good friendship with Sen. Jay Rockefeller (R-W.Va.). Prior to declining to challenge Rockefeller in 2008, Capito acknowledged that she didn't want to run against the veteran incumbent.

 

Additional Resources

  1. Porterfield, Mannix, "Capito prefers bi-partisan energy bill over Dem plan" The Register-Herald, Sept. 17, 2008
  2. Almanac of American Politics
  3. Ward Jr., Ken, "Capito disputes climate warnings" Charleston Gazette, April 17, 2009
  4. Stump, Jake, "Immigration faces challenge; Byrd, Capito on bipartisan committee to block President Bush's proposal" Charleston Daily Mail, May 21, 2007
  5. Ward Jr, Ken, "Capito queries Obama on coal" Charleston Gazette, Jan. 30, 2010
  6. Fischer, Karin, "Capito camp targeted weaknesses; Campaign manager credits good research" Charleston Daily Mail, Nov. 9, 2000
  7. "Energy Independence"
  8. "American Conservative Union ratings"
  9. Nyden, Paul J. "Church parking-lot fliers urge backing for 'pro-life' Capito" Charleston Gazette, Nov. 4, 2008
  10. Fischer, Karin, "Capito scores upset Jim Humphreys falls behind in close 2nd District race" Charleston Daily Mail, Nov. 8, 2000
  11. Messina, Lawrence, "The sins of her father Arch Moore casts shadow in daughter's congressional race" Charleston Gazette, Nov. 1, 2000
  12. "FINAL VOTE RESULTS FOR ROLL CALL 884" Nov. 7, 2009
  13. Stump, Jake, "Capito stands by decision to oppose bailout" Charleston Daily Mail, Oct. 13, 2008
  14. Capito, Shelley Moore, "Shelley Moore Capito: Reform health care without huge spending" Charleston Daily Mail, March 10, 2010
  15. Stump, Jake, Charleston Daily Mail, "Senator or Governor? Many Ponder Capito's Future," Nov. 6, 2008.
  16. "Washington Post Votes Database"
  17. "Capito considering run for Rockefeller's seat" Charleston Daily Mail, Jan. 12, 2007
  18. Stump, Jake, "Capito forms close bond with Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen from Florida" Charleston Daily Mail, Feb. 17, 2006
  19. Stump, Jake, "Analysts say Capito's popularity will make it an uphill fight for newcomer Callaghan" Charleston Daily Mail, May 11, 2006
  20. "Stump, Jake, "Households could get hammered, Capito says" Charleston Daily Mail, April 2, 2009
  21. Stump, Jake, "Stem cell measure divides delegation" Charleston Daily Mail, June 13, 2007