Shelley Moore Capito is an American politician and a member of the Republican Party who served as a U.S. Senator from West Virginia from 2015. Prior to this, she served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2001 to 2015, representing West Virginia's 2nd district. Here are some key points and notable factoids about her career and life:
Early Life and Career: Capito was born on November 26, 1953, in Glen Dale, West Virginia. She is the daughter of the late Arch A. Moore Jr., who served three terms as West Virginia's governor. She earned a B.S. degree in Zoology from Duke University in 1975 and a M.Ed. degree from the University of Virginia in 1976. Before embarking on her political career, Capito was a career counselor at West Virginia State College and director of its Educational Information Center.
Political Career: Capito began her political career in 1996 when she was elected to the West Virginia House of Delegates, and served two terms there. In 2000, she was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. She was the first woman elected to represent West Virginia in Congress, and she served seven terms in the House. In 2014, she was elected to the U.S. Senate, becoming the first woman to represent West Virginia in the Senate and the first Republican senator from West Virginia since 1959.
Legislative Interests: In Congress, Capito has worked on a variety of issues, including economic development, health care, education, and energy policy. She has been particularly vocal about combating the opioid crisis, improving infrastructure, and protecting the interests of coal miners in her state. Capito has been a part of several committees throughout her political career, including the Committee on Environment and Public Works, the Committee on Appropriations, and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Electoral Records: Capito has a strong electoral record in West Virginia. She has won every one of her general election campaigns by a significant margin. This includes her 2014 Senate race, where she won with more than 62% of the vote.
Historical Significance: Capito has achieved several historical firsts in her career. She was the first woman elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from West Virginia, the first woman elected to the U.S. Senate from West Virginia, and the first Republican senator from the state in more than half a century.
Shelley Moore Capito is an American politician and a member of the Republican Party who served as a U.S. Senator from West Virginia from 2015. Prior to this, she served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2001 to 2015, representing West Virginia's 2nd district. Here are some key points and notable factoids about her career and life:
Early Life and Career: Capito was born on November 26, 1953, in Glen Dale, West Virginia. She is the daughter of the late Arch A. Moore Jr., who served three terms as West Virginia's governor. She earned a B.S. degree in Zoology from Duke University in 1975 and a M.Ed. degree from the University of Virginia in 1976. Before embarking on her political career, Capito was a career counselor at West Virginia State College and director of its Educational Information Center.
Political Career: Capito began her political career in 1996 when she was elected to the West Virginia House of Delegates, and served two terms there. In 2000, she was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. She was the first woman elected to represent West Virginia in Congress, and she served seven terms in the House. In 2014, she was elected to the U.S. Senate, becoming the first woman to represent West Virginia in the Senate and the first Republican senator from West Virginia since 1959.
Legislative Interests: In Congress, Capito has worked on a variety of issues, including economic development, health care, education, and energy policy. She has been particularly vocal about combating the opioid crisis, improving infrastructure, and protecting the interests of coal miners in her state. Capito has been a part of several committees throughout her political career, including the Committee on Environment and Public Works, the Committee on Appropriations, and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Electoral Records: Capito has a strong electoral record in West Virginia. She has won every one of her general election campaigns by a significant margin. This includes her 2014 Senate race, where she won with more than 62% of the vote.
Historical Significance: Capito has achieved several historical firsts in her career. She was the first woman elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from West Virginia, the first woman elected to the U.S. Senate from West Virginia, and the first Republican senator from the state in more than half a century.