Capito confirms: no WV Senate run
Republican Shelley Moore Capito just released a statement (in full after the jump) saying she will not run in in the special Senate race in WVa in November, leaving Democratic Gov. Joe Manchin in a very strong position to keep the seat in Dem hands.
Capito writes there are too many legal and professional hurdles in the way, but leaves open the possibility of running for the full Senate term when it comes up in 2012:
Even though this is an extraordinary situation, running for two offices simultaneously is not who I am as a person. More importantly, this is not about me, but what is right for the people of West Virginia. Over the last 11 years and through five tough campaigns, I have built a relationship with voters based on trust and hard work, and I never want to diminish that bond. There are also still many legal and practical questions regarding a person’s ability to run for two offices.
There has been enough unnecessary chaos and controversy surrounding the vacancy in the U.S. Senate. My candidacy would create more uncertainty, invite a legal challenge, and misrepresent my priorities as a public servant. The outcome could ultimately place my re-election to the House of Representatives in jeopardy and would leave the final decision in the hands of state officials rather than the voters.
West Virginians are fair minded people who understand the importance of fulfilling their obligations. I intend to stick to my commitments to the people of the 2nd District because it is in the best interest of our state. For these reasons, I will not be a candidate for U.S. Senate this year, and with the voters support, I intend to serve my full term in the House of Representatives and not run for any other office until 2012.
The full statement is below:
Charleston, WV – Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito released the following statement regarding her priorities and immediate political future.
In Congress, I have always acted with one guiding principle: Do what is right by putting the needs of West Virginia first. That gave me the courage to stand up to my own party’s leadership and its President to ensure that children have expanded coverage to health care. And, it drives my determination to be the loudest and sometimes only voice standing up for our state’s vital energy industry as the Obama Administration has engaged in an all out war on coal.
I have also been a lone voice for fiscal discipline in Washington by opposing the bank bailouts and saying no to raising our debt ceiling to a staggering $1.9 trillion. We need a congressional delegation that will work together to put a stop to the spending spree, eliminate our deficit and reduce our national debt because it is the right thing for our state.
With unemployment at or near 10%, our focus in Congress and in state government needs to be helping people get back to work. I opposed the so-called stimulus bill because it cost too much with little results. We need a Congressional delegation that doesn’t go along with the liberal spending priorities in Washington but makes job creation through economic growth priority one because it is the right thing for our state.
I am humbled that people have asked me to consider running for the U.S. Senate. While it would be both a challenge and a tremendous honor to represent our entire state in Washington, I must first and foremost weigh the timing of this opportunity with my current official and political responsibilities.
I am pleased that the West Virginia legislature acted to ensure that voters have the final voice in deciding their new U.S. Senator this year. During the special session, the Republican members worked to create a level playing field by establishing the election as a separate election from the November 2nd General with the intent of allowing a candidate already seeking an office this year to file and run for the unexpected vacancy on the same day.
Even though this is an extraordinary situation, running for two offices simultaneously is not who I am as a person. More importantly, this is not about me, but what is right for the people of West Virginia. Over the last 11 years and through five tough campaigns, I have built a relationship with voters based on trust and hard work, and I never want to diminish that bond. There are also still many legal and practical questions regarding a person’s ability to run for two offices.
There has been enough unnecessary chaos and controversy surrounding the vacancy in the U.S. Senate. My candidacy would create more uncertainty, invite a legal challenge, and misrepresent my priorities as a public servant. The outcome could ultimately place my re-election to the House of Representatives in jeopardy and would leave the final decision in the hands of state officials rather than the voters.
West Virginians are fair minded people who understand the importance of fulfilling their obligations. I intend to stick to my commitments to the people of the 2nd District because it is in the best interest of our state. For these reasons, I will not be a candidate for U.S. Senate this year, and with the voters support, I intend to serve my full term in the House of Representatives and not run for any other office until 2012.