WV STATEWIRECLARKSBURG — Republican state Sen. Tom Willis formally entered the race for U.S. Senate, filing his candidacy with the West Virginia Secretary of State’s Office and immediately drawing a sharp contrast with incumbent Sen. Shelley Moore Capito during remarks in Clarksburg.
Willis, who represents Senate District 15 in Berkeley County, said his decision to run was driven by what he described as a growing disconnect between Capito and conservative voters in West Virginia.
“Frankly, it’s time for a change,” Willis said. “Shelley Moore Capito has let West Virginia down.”
As a U.S. Army Special Forces Green Beret, Willis has served more than two decades in the West Virginia National Guard and remains an active member. He currently chairs the Judiciary Committee in the West Virginia Senate and described his background as both military and business-oriented, citing his work as a law firm owner, title and escrow company operator, and general contractor.
Willis accused Capito of abandoning conservative priorities during her time in Washington, pointing to several votes and actions he said undermined trust among Republican voters. He criticized her absence during a vote on legislation barring transgender athletes from participating in girls’ sports.
“She had a chance to vote to keep boys out of girls sports, and she skipped the vote so that bill would fail,” Willis said.
He also took aim at Capito’s support for red flag gun laws, which allow courts to confiscate and restrict firearm access, calling them unconstitutional and a violation of Second Amendment rights.
Willis further criticized Capito’s support for the Biden Administration’s Afghan Refugee Resettlement Program following the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, raising concerns about vetting and security.
“She voted for the Afghan refugee resettlement, which brought 70,000 to 100,000 Afghan refugees, largely unvetted, one of whom killed one of our own West Virginia National Guardsmen and severely wounded another,” Willis said, citing the D.C. incident involving the murder of a West Virginia National Guardsman.
Outlining his platform, Willis said his campaign would focus on limited government, lower taxes, reduced regulation and economic policies aimed at expanding middle-class prosperity. He also emphasized border security, balancing the federal budget and imposing term limits on members of Congress.
“You can count on me to protect our Second Amendment rights, protect religious freedom and free speech, and stand for conservative government,” Willis said.
Capito was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 2014 after serving seven terms in the U.S. House of Representatives.
“I’m asking for your vote,” Willis stated. “I’m ready to serve as your next United States senator.”
The Republican primary election is scheduled for May 12, 2026.
