2020 United States Senate election in West Virginia
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
Eliminated in primary
Larry Butcher, farmer[ 1]
Allen Whitt, president of the West Virginia Family Policy Council[ 2]
Endorsements
Results
Results by county: Capito—80–90%
Capito—70–80%
Democratic primary
Paula Jean Swearengin won the nomination with 38.8% of the vote in the state's Democratic primary on June 9, 2020.[ 5]
Candidates
Nominee
Eliminated in primary
Declined
Endorsements
Results
Results by county Swearengin—30-40%
Swearengin—40-50%
Swearengin—50-60%
Ojeda—40–50%
Ojeda—30–40%
Ojeda—20–30%
Robb—30-40%
Robb—40-50%
Robb—50-60%
Other candidates
Libertarian Party
Nominee
Independents
Withdrawn
General election
Predictions
Endorsements
Shelley Moore Capito (R)
Unions
Organizations
Publications
Paula Jean Swearengin (D)
U.S. senators
U.S. representatives
State legislators
Notable Individuals
Unions
Organizations
Publications
Polling
Poll source
Date(s) administered
Sample size[ a]
Marginof error
Shelley Moore Capito (R)
Paula Jean Swearengin (D)
David Moran (L)
Undecided
Research America Inc. [ 50]
October 6–9, 2020
450 (LV)
± 4.6%
53%
33%
5%
9%
Hypothetical polling
Poll source
Date(s) administered
Sample size[ a]
Margin of error
Shelley Moore Capito (R)
Generic Democrat
Undecided
Public Policy Polling (D) [ 51] [ A]
June 13–14, 2017
762 (V)
± 3.4%
48%
35%
17%
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 county
County
Shelley Moore Capito Republican
Paula Jean Swearengin Democratic
David MoranLibertarian
Margin
Total votes
#
%
#
%
#
%
#
%
Barbour
5,096
77.00
1,331
20.11
191
2.89
3,765
56.89
6,618
Berkeley
34,162
67.23
15,197
29.91
1,453
2.86
18,965
37.32
50,812
Boone
6,674
75.27
2,016
22.74
177
2.00
4,658
52.53
8,867
Braxton
4,006
72.22
1,395
25.15
146
2.63
2,611
47.07
5,547
Brooke
7,355
70.96
2,699
26.04
311
3.00
4,656
44.92
10,365
Cabell
22,880
62.30
12,979
35.34
864
2.35
9,901
26.96
36,723
Calhoun
2,276
78.81
537
18.59
75
2.60
1,739
60.22
2,888
Clay
2,680
80.38
575
17.25
79
2.37
2,105
63.14
3,334
Doddridge
2,507
82.90
415
13.72
102
3.37
2,092
69.18
3,024
Fayette
11,158
67.79
4,938
30.00
364
2.21
6,220
37.79
16,460
Gilmer
1,939
74.78
586
22.60
68
2.62
1,353
52.18
2,593
Grant
4,544
86.87
534
10.21
153
2.92
4,010
76.66
5,231
Greenbrier
11,042
70.69
4,299
27.52
280
1.79
6,743
43.17
15,621
Hampshire
7,764
79.22
1,764
18.00
272
2.78
6,000
61.22
9,800
Hancock
9,593
71.38
3,484
25.92
362
2.69
6,109
45.46
13,439
Hardy
4,879
78.18
1,196
19.16
166
2.66
3,683
59.01
6,241
Harrison
21,194
70.64
7,807
26.02
1,000
3.33
13,387
44.62
30,001
Jackson
10,298
77.21
2,754
20.65
285
2.14
7,544
56.56
13,337
Jefferson
15,625
57.23
11,033
40.41
646
2.37
4,592
16.82
27,304
Kanawha
50,953
62.85
28,565
35.24
1,550
1.91
22,388
27.62
81,068
Lewis
5,736
77.46
1,431
19.32
238
3.21
4,305
58.14
7,405
Lincoln
5,770
75.73
1,663
21.83
186
2.44
4,107
53.90
7,619
Logan
9,810
79.71
2,266
18.41
231
1.88
7,544
61.30
12,307
Marion
16,722
66.01
7,626
30.10
985
3.89
9,096
35.91
25,333
Marshall
10,655
77.12
2,913
21.08
249
1.80
7,742
56.03
13,817
Mason
8,421
76.06
2,333
21.07
317
2.86
6,088
54.99
11,071
McDowell
4,539
75.44
1,363
22.65
115
1.91
3,176
52.78
6,017
Mercer
18,740
76.48
5,269
21.50
494
2.02
13,471
54.98
24,503
Mineral
9,830
77.95
2,308
18.30
472
3.74
7,522
59.65
12,610
Mingo
7,761
81.57
1,525
16.03
228
2.40
6,236
65.54
9,514
Monongalia
22,140
53.37
17,863
43.06
1,483
3.57
4,277
10.31
41,486
Monroe
4,901
77.34
1,305
20.59
131
2.07
3,596
56.74
6,337
Morgan
6,504
76.30
1,797
21.08
223
2.62
4,707
55.22
8,524
Nicholas
7,976
76.69
2,214
21.29
210
2.02
5,762
55.40
10,400
Ohio
13,373
68.07
5,905
30.06
368
1.87
7,468
38.01
19,646
Pendleton
2,840
79.15
677
18.87
71
1.98
2,163
60.28
3,588
Pleasants
2,628
77.73
634
18.75
119
3.52
1,994
58.98
3,381
Pocahontas
2,707
70.26
1,034
26.84
112
2.91
1,673
43.42
3,853
Preston
9,953
69.71
2,664
18.66
1,660
11.63
7,289
51.05
14,277
Putnam
20,812
73.78
6,784
24.05
613
2.17
14,028
49.73
28,209
Raleigh
23,708
73.02
8,201
25.26
561
1.73
15,507
47.76
32,470
Randolph
8,873
73.91
2,868
23.89
265
2.21
6,005
50.02
12,006
Ritchie
3,474
83.49
569
13.67
118
2.84
2,905
69.81
4,161
Roane
4,260
75.00
1,302
22.92
118
2.08
2,958
52.08
5,680
Summers
3,839
70.86
1,467
27.08
112
2.07
2,372
43.78
5,418
Taylor
5,402
73.95
1,582
21.66
321
4.39
3,820
52.29
7,305
Tucker
2,706
71.38
854
22.53
231
6.09
1,852
48.85
3,791
Tyler
3,095
80.66
612
15.95
130
3.39
2,483
64.71
3,837
Upshur
7,788
77.48
1,953
19.43
310
3.08
5,835
58.05
10,051
Wayne
12,048
73.80
3,895
23.86
383
2.35
8,153
49.94
16,326
Webster
2,585
78.84
613
18.69
81
2.47
1,972
60.14
3,279
Wetzel
4,811
74.12
1,441
22.20
239
3.68
3,370
51.92
6,491
Wirt
2,116
81.32
426
16.37
60
2.31
1,690
64.95
2,602
Wood
27,733
72.75
9,359
24.55
1,031
2.70
18,374
48.20
38,123
Wyoming
6,573
80.08
1,489
18.14
146
1.78
5,084
61.94
8,208
Totals
547,454
70.28
210,309
27.00
21,155
2.72
337,145
43.28
778,918
By congressional district
Moore Capito won all three congressional districts.[ 53]
Notes
Partisan clients
^ Poll sponsored by Save My Care
Voter samples and additional candidates
^ a b Key: A – all adults RV – registered voters LV – likely voters V – unclear
References
^ Thomas, Alex (January 29, 2020). "Governor, US Senate seats up in this year's election" .
^ 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 .
^ a b "2020 Candidates" . maggieslist.org .
^ "U.S. SENATOR - REP" . Secretary of State of West Virginia . Retrieved June 9, 2020 .
^ a b "West Virginia U.S. Senate Primary Election Results" . The New York Times . June 9, 2020. ISSN 0362-4331 . Retrieved June 10, 2020 .
^ "What Are The Knock Down The House Candidates Doing In 2019?" . Bustle . Retrieved June 4, 2019 .
^ 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 .
^ Ojeda, Richard (January 13, 2020). "To the People of West Virginia" .
^ 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 .
^ Adams, Steven Allen (January 27, 2020). "Warner: Filings go smoothly on final day" . The Inter-Mountain . Retrieved January 27, 2020 .
^ a b Singiser, Steve. "Here's our ultimate Democratic wishlist for Senate in 2020. Who's on yours?" . Daily Kos . Retrieved February 19, 2019 .
^ "Paula Jean Swearengin" . Brand New Congress . May 28, 2020. Archived from the original on October 23, 2019. Retrieved October 23, 2019 .
^ "Sierra Club #ClimateVoter Guide: Endorsements" . Sierra Club .
^ "U.S. SENATOR - DEM" . Secretary of State of West Virginia . Retrieved June 9, 2020 .
^ a b "WV SOS - Elections - Candidate - Online Data Services" . services.sos.wv.gov . Archived from the original on August 17, 2020. Retrieved August 17, 2020 .
^ Zuckerman, Jake (August 7, 2019). "Swearengin announces US Senate run as Democrat" . WV Gazette Mail . Retrieved May 15, 2020 .
^ "2020 Senate Race Ratings for October 29, 2020" . The Cook Political Report . Retrieved March 11, 2021 .
^ "2020 Senate Ratings" . Senate Ratings . The Rothenberg Political Report. Retrieved March 11, 2021 .
^ "2020 Senate race ratings" . Sabato's Crystal Ball . Retrieved March 12, 2021 .
^ "2020 Senate Race Ratings" . Daily Kos Elections . Retrieved March 13, 2021 .
^ "2020 Election Forecast" . Politico . November 19, 2019.
^ "Battle for the Senate 2020" . RCP . October 23, 2020.
^ "2020 Senate Elections Model" . Decision Desk HQ . September 2, 2020. Retrieved September 2, 2020 .
^ Silver, Nate (September 18, 2020). "Forecasting the race for the Senate" . FiveThirtyEight . Retrieved September 18, 2020 .
^ "Forecasting the US elections" . The Economist . November 2, 2020. Retrieved March 13, 2021 .
^ Thomas, Alex (September 7, 2020). "Annual UMWA picnic goes virtual, but remains opportunity for candidates" .
^ Thomas, Alex (September 10, 2020). "US Chamber of Commerce endorses Capito as senator seeks second term" .
^ "Gazette-Mail endorses Capito for US Senate" . October 6, 2020.
^ "Editorial: Capito is best choice for U.S. Senate" . The Herald-Dispatch . October 6, 2020.
^ @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 .
^ "Swearengin receives Sanders endorsement" . July 9, 2020.
^ Grace Meng [@Grace4NY] (September 10, 2020). "Grace Meng: I'm with @paulajean2020! Join us!" (Tweet ). Archived from the original on October 7, 2020 – via Twitter .
^ Charles Booker [@Booker4KY] (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 .
^ Richard Ojeda [@Ojeda4America] (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 .
^ Charlotte Pritt [@betterbalance2] (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 .
^ Paula Jean Swearengin [@paulajean2020] (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 .
^ Cori Bush [@CoriBush] (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 .
^ Marianne Williamson [@marwilliamson] (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 .
^ Paula Jean Swearengin [@paulajean2020] (August 28, 2020). "Swearengin:Thank you @AndrewYang for your endorsement!" (Tweet ). Archived from the original on October 7, 2020 – via Twitter .
^ Paula Jean Swearengin [@paulajean2020] (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 .
^ "Endorsements" . 350 Action .
^ 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 .
^ "2020 Endorsements" .
^ "Candidate Endorsements • Friends of the Earth Action" . Friends of the Earth Action . August 25, 2017.
^ "2020 Endorsements" . PDAmerica . Archived from the original on May 20, 2020. Retrieved September 24, 2020 .
^ "Sierra Club Voter Guide: Endorsements" . Sierra Club #ClimateVoter Guide . July 16, 2012.
^ Golshan, Tara (September 10, 2020). "Sunrise Movement Unveils 2020 Endorsements To Defeat Climate Change Deniers" . HuffPost . Retrieved September 10, 2020 .
^ "WV Working Families Endorses Paula Jean Swearengin" . Paula Jean Swearengin . July 27, 2020.
^ "Swearengin for Senate" . September 14, 2020.
^ Research America Inc.
^ Public Policy Polling (D)
^ "November 3, 2020 General Election - Official Results" . West Virginia State - Clarity Elections . Retrieved November 30, 2020 .
^ "Our Campaigns - WV US Senate Race - Nov 03, 2020" . www.ourcampaigns.com . Retrieved August 20, 2024 .
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