CLARKSBURG — At a time when the scrutiny and displeasure of politicians in Washington, D.C., may be at an all-time high, successful ones remain focused on their core constituency and try to do right by those who elected them.
Such is the case with U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., who is closing out her fourth year in the Senate and 18th year overall in the nation’s capital after serving 14 years in the House.
Capito, daughter of the late Gov. Arch Moore and a centrist Republican, has found success by trying to bridge the political gap between parties while lifting the Mountain State’s economic future.
“The tensions are definitely high,” Capito said during a recent telephone interview as the government shutdown loomed.
“For my role, I try to find common ground, whether Republican or Democrat. I look for opportunities to act with senators from other states in our region to foster cooperation.”
For her efforts, Capito has been selected as NCWV Media’s Stateswoman of the Year.
The honor didn’t surprise the state’s senior senator, Democrat Joe Manchin, who has known the Moore family for many years.
“I’m very proud and excited for her to earn recognition,” Manchin said. “She’s my colleague and friend. And together, we always put West Virginia first.”
Manchin believes the Mountain State’s leaders in Washington are working well together to provide new opportunities for West Virginians.
“We try harder than any two senators to understand that our purpose in being there is all about West Virginia,” Manchin said.
Harrison County Commissioner Ron Watson, a Democrat, said Capito doesn’t play politics when it comes to helping her native state and its people.
“In my dealings with Sen. Capito, she’s done a good job working for the people of West Virginia,” Watson said.
“She seems not to worry about the partisan politics. She and Sen. Manchin seem to work well together for what’s good for our state.”
Watson credited Capito for her support of NCWV Airport.
“She’s been a major advocate for our airport, which is a major economic development engine,” Watson said. “She and her staff are always looking for ways to help us grow.”
Capito serves on several major committees important to the Mountain State, including Appropriations, Commerce, Science and Transportation, Energy and Natural Resources and Environment and Public Works.
She is also a trusted member of Senate President Mitch McConnell’s caucus, giving her a strong voice in Washington.
She has championed West Virginia’s coal industry for many years and is a leading advocate for further natural gas development, including the Appalachian Storage and Transfer Hub. Her role in the Senate helped to bring Energy Secretary Rick Perry and other federal officials to the Mountain State.
“In terms of the hub, I requested the study from the Department of Energy (that strongly supported the need for the hub),” Capito said.
Emphasizing that her goal is to stimulate growth in natural gas development while keeping the benefits in West Virginia, Capito said bringing Perry and other Department of Energy officials to West Virginia allowed them to see the potential.
“We’ve tried to streamline regulation, to make it more efficient while still safeguarding the environment,” Capito said. “Secretary Perry and President Trump have been very supportive of the state’s natural gas development efforts.”
Capito has also been very involved in efforts to expand broadband service in West Virginia, calling into question reports that indicate the Mountain State has better broadband than is truly the case.
“My office has been working with the FCC to make sure their maps of broadband service are accurate,” Capito said. “We’ve also helped secure federal grants and loans to expand into specific regions, such as Upshur, Barbour and Randolph counties.”
She said rural pockets of West Virginia still struggle for adequate internet service but that she remains committed to improving that in a cost-effective manner.
She also has been highly supportive of West Virginia University and Marshall University research efforts, especially on health-care matters.
“Health research is one area that I’ve worked to strengthen West Virginia,” Capito said.
Citing WVU’s Alzheimer’s research, as well as opioid research at both WVU and Marshall, she said the schools’ increased efforts and success have lifted the state’s reputation in academic research.
While Capito remains very busy, she carves out time in her schedule for special efforts, such as the West Virginia Girls Rise Up initiative, which empowers West Virginia girls “to reach their full potential through education, fitness and confidence boosting.”
“I’ve made a point to come back and visit with students,” Capito said. “Our target group is fifth grade, and we stress focusing on education, giving extra effort, as well as fitness and confidence boosting.
“We want girls to become more engaged in their schools and communities to see what they can accomplish by volunteering, speaking out and getting involved.
“We’re trying to inspire the next generation of West Virginia leaders, particularly women leaders. We want to demystify what a senator looks like and encourage our young people to aspire to careers in public service.
“It really is an important mission for me, something I want to see make a difference for our young women in West Virginia,” she said.
“She’s a great role model for women in leadership positions,” Manchin said. “To have her character qualities that she brings to her position as a senator, her willingness to work across party lines, shows what true leadership, what true statesmanship is.”
