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2020 United States Senate election in West Virginia

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Nominee Shelley Moore Capito Paula Jean Swearengin Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 547,454 210,309 Percentage 70.28% 27.00%

County results Congressional district results Precinct resultsCapito:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90% Swearengin:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90% Tie:      40–50%      50%

U.S. senator before election Shelley Moore Capito Republican Elected U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito Republican

Elections in West Virginia
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The 2020 United States Senate election in West Virginia was held on November 3, 2020, to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the State of West Virginia, concurrently with the 2020 U.S. presidential election, as well as other elections to the United States Senate in other states, elections to the United States House of Representatives, and various state and local elections.

Incumbent senator Shelley Moore Capito won a second term against Democrat Paula Jean Swearengin by a margin of 43.3%, winning every county, and becoming the first West Virginia Republican to win reelection to the U.S. Senate since 1907.

Swearengin's 27% of the vote was the lowest vote percentage and worst margin of defeat for any Democratic Senate candidate in West Virginia history.

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Shelley Moore Capito, incumbent U.S. Senator

Eliminated in primary

• Larry Butcher, farmer
• Allen Whitt, president of the West Virginia Family Policy Council

Endorsements

Organizations

• Maggie's List

Results

Democratic primary

Paula Jean Swearengin won the nomination with 38.8% of the vote in the state's Democratic primary on June 9, 2020.

Candidates

Nominee

• Paula Jean Swearengin, environmental activist and candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2018

Eliminated in primary

• Richard Ojeda, former state senator, nominee for West Virginia's 3rd congressional district in 2018, and former candidate for president of the United States in 2020
• Richie Robb, former mayor of South Charleston

Declined

• Mike Pushkin, state delegate
• Earl Ray Tomblin, former governor of West Virginia

Endorsements

Organizations

• Brand New Congress
• Sierra Club
• Students for Gun Legislation

Results

Other candidates

Libertarian Party

Nominee

• David Moran

Independents

Withdrawn

• Franklin Riley

General election

Predictions

Endorsements

Unions

• United Mine Workers District 17

Organizations

• Maggie's List
• United States Chamber of Commerce

Publications

• Charleston Gazette-Mail
• The Herald-Dispatch

U.S. senators

• Ed Markey, U.S. senator from Massachusetts
• Bernie Sanders, U.S. senator from Vermont (Independent) and 2020 presidential candidate

U.S. representatives

• Grace Meng, U.S. representative from NY-06

State legislators

• Charles Booker, Kentucky state representative from District 43
• Richard Ojeda, West Virginia State Senator for the 7th district (2016–2019); 2020 presidential and U.S. Senate candidate
• Charlotte Pritt, West Virginia State Senator for the 17th district (1988-1992); candidate for governor in 1992, 1996, and 2016
• Nina Turner, Ohio Senator from District 25 (2008–2014), President of Our Revolution

Notable Individuals

• Cori Bush, Democratic nominee for MO-1
• Marianne Williamson, author, activist, and 2020 presidential candidate
• Andrew Yang, author, entrepreneur, and 2020 presidential candidate

Unions

• Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union Local 21

Organizations

• 350 Action
• Brand New Congress
• Center for Biological Diversity Action Fund
• Friends of the Earth Action Fund
• Progressive Democrats of America
• Sierra Club
• Sunrise Movement
• Working Families Party

Publications

• The Dominion Post

Polling

Results

By county

Capito won all 55 of the state's counties for the second election in a row, earning more than 70% of the vote over Swearengin in all but eight counties.

By congressional district

Moore Capito won all three congressional districts.

Notes

Partisan clients

1. Poll sponsored by Save My Care

Voter samples and additional candidates

1. ^ Key:
   A – all adults
   RV – registered voters
   LV – likely voters
   V – unclear

References

1. Thomas, Alex (January 29, 2020). "Governor, US Senate seats up in this year's election".
2. Barker, Tyler (October 8, 2019). "Conservative Challenging Shelley Moore Capito For Senate". WOAY TV - ABC. Archived from the original on October 9, 2019. Retrieved October 9, 2019.
3. ^ "2020 Candidates". maggieslist.org.
4. "U.S. SENATOR - REP". Secretary of State of West Virginia. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
5. ^ "West Virginia U.S. Senate Primary Election Results". The New York Times. June 9, 2020. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
6. "What Are The Knock Down The House Candidates Doing In 2019?". Bustle. Retrieved June 4, 2019.
7. Staff, WSAZ News (June 10, 2020). "U.S. Senate Candidate Paula Jean Swearengin wins W.Va. Democratic primary". www.wsaz.com. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
8. Ojeda, Richard (January 13, 2020). "To the People of West Virginia".
9. Pathe, Simone (January 13, 2020). "West Virginia's Richard Ojeda is back, this time running for Senate". Roll Call. Archived from the original on January 15, 2020. Retrieved January 13, 2020.
10. Adams, Steven Allen (January 27, 2020). "Warner: Filings go smoothly on final day". The Inter-Mountain. Retrieved January 27, 2020.
11. ^ Singiser, Steve. "Here's our ultimate Democratic wishlist for Senate in 2020. Who's on yours?". Daily Kos. Retrieved February 19, 2019.
12. "Paula Jean Swearengin". Brand New Congress. May 28, 2020. Archived from the original on October 23, 2019. Retrieved October 23, 2019.
13. "Sierra Club #ClimateVoter Guide: Endorsements". Sierra Club.
14. "U.S. SENATOR - DEM". Secretary of State of West Virginia. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
15. ^ "WV SOS - Elections - Candidate - Online Data Services". services.sos.wv.gov. Archived from the original on August 17, 2020. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
16. Zuckerman, Jake (August 7, 2019). "Swearengin announces US Senate run as Democrat". WV Gazette Mail. Retrieved May 15, 2020.
17. "2020 Senate Race Ratings for October 29, 2020". The Cook Political Report. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
18. "2020 Senate Ratings". Senate Ratings. The Rothenberg Political Report. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
19. "2020 Senate race ratings". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved March 12, 2021.
20. "2020 Senate Race Ratings". Daily Kos Elections. Retrieved March 13, 2021.
21. "2020 Election Forecast". Politico. November 19, 2019.
22. "Battle for the Senate 2020". RCP. October 23, 2020.
23. "2020 Senate Elections Model". Decision Desk HQ. September 2, 2020. Retrieved September 2, 2020.
24. Silver, Nate (September 18, 2020). "Forecasting the race for the Senate". FiveThirtyEight. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
25. "Forecasting the US elections". The Economist. November 2, 2020. Retrieved March 13, 2021.
26. Thomas, Alex (September 7, 2020). "Annual UMWA picnic goes virtual, but remains opportunity for candidates".
27. Thomas, Alex (September 10, 2020). "US Chamber of Commerce endorses Capito as senator seeks second term".
28. "Gazette-Mail endorses Capito for US Senate". October 6, 2020.
29. "Editorial: Capito is best choice for U.S. Senate". The Herald-Dispatch. October 6, 2020.
30. @paulajean2020 (October 10, 2020). "Tonight at 7pm EST, join me and US Senator @EdMarkey at the #UniteOurFight rally. I'm so excited to stand beside Senator Markey in DC to fight for the everyday folks all across our nation. Let's end political dynasties and take our power back! Heart decoration http://pjwv.cc/rally" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
31. "Swearengin receives Sanders endorsement". July 9, 2020.
32. Grace Meng (September 10, 2020). "Grace Meng: I'm with @paulajean2020! Join us!" (Tweet). Archived from the original on October 7, 2020 – via Twitter.
33. Charles Booker (September 30, 2020). "Charles Booker:@paulajean2020 is a coal miner's daughter running for a Green New Deal in West Virginia so we can get a just transition for workers who've been left behind by industry and our politicians. She is a champion for the people, and we need her in the Senate!" (Tweet). Archived from the original on October 7, 2020 – via Twitter.
34. Richard Ojeda (June 30, 2020). "Richard Ojeda: I'm giving my full support to Paula Jean Swearingin" (Tweet). Archived from the original on October 7, 2020 – via Twitter.
35. Charlotte Pritt (August 25, 2020). "Charlotte Pritt: Yes! This coal miner's daughter is with you all the way" (Tweet). Archived from the original on October 7, 2020 – via Twitter.
36. Paula Jean Swearengin (August 26, 2020). "Paula Jean Swearengin:Thank you for your endorsement @ninaturner! I'm honored to have your support" (Tweet). Archived from the original on October 7, 2020 – via Twitter.
37. Cori Bush (August 21, 2020). "Cori Bush:Paula Jean Swearengin is my sister from Knock Down the House, and while we came up short in 2018, in 2020 we are both demonstrating that this is our moment to make history" (Tweet). Archived from the original on October 7, 2020 – via Twitter.
38. Marianne Williamson (July 14, 2020). "Marianne Williamson:Let's help elect @paulajean2020 to the Senate in West Virginia" (Tweet). Archived from the original on October 7, 2020 – via Twitter.
39. Paula Jean Swearengin (August 28, 2020). "Swearengin:Thank you @AndrewYang for your endorsement!" (Tweet). Archived from the original on October 7, 2020 – via Twitter.
40. Paula Jean Swearengin (September 1, 2020). "Swearengin:Thank you so much, @RWDSU Local 21! I'm honored to stand beside you all and will always vote to protect your rights" (Tweet). Archived from the original on October 7, 2020 – via Twitter.
41. "Endorsements". 350 Action.
42. Brand New Congress. "Mother and Community Activist Paula Jean Swearengin for U.S. Senate, West Virginia". Archived from the original on October 23, 2019. Retrieved October 23, 2019.
43. "2020 Endorsements".
44. "Candidate Endorsements • Friends of the Earth Action". Friends of the Earth Action. August 25, 2017.
45. "2020 Endorsements". PDAmerica. Archived from the original on May 20, 2020. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
46. "Sierra Club Voter Guide: Endorsements". Sierra Club #ClimateVoter Guide. July 16, 2012.
47. Golshan, Tara (September 10, 2020). "Sunrise Movement Unveils 2020 Endorsements To Defeat Climate Change Deniers". HuffPost. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
48. "WV Working Families Endorses Paula Jean Swearengin". Paula Jean Swearengin. July 27, 2020.
49. "Swearengin for Senate". September 14, 2020.
50. Research America Inc.
51. Public Policy Polling (D)
52. "November 3, 2020 General Election - Official Results". West Virginia State - Clarity Elections. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
53. "Our Campaigns - WV US Senate Race - Nov 03, 2020". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved August 20, 2024.

External links

• Government Documents Round Table of the American Library Association, "West Virginia", Voting & Elections Toolkits
• "West Virginia: Election Tools, Deadlines, Dates, Rules, and Links", Vote.org, Oakland, CA
• "League of Women Voters of West Virginia". (state affiliate of the U.S. League of Women Voters)
• West Virginia at Ballotpedia

Official campaign websites

• Shelley Moore Capito (R) for Senate
• Paula Jean Swearengin (D) for Senate

• United States Senate elections in West Virginia
• 2020 United States Senate elections
• 2020 West Virginia elections