WEBSTER SPRINGS — Republican U.S. Senate candidate Tom Willis criticized the record of Sen. Shelley Moore Capito during a campaign stop in Webster Springs, outlining a series of votes and positions he argued are out of step with West Virginia voters.
Speaking to a local audience, Willis accused Capito of opposing several conservative priorities.
“Sen. Capito voted against legislation aimed at protecting traditional marriage, did not take part in a vote on keeping boys out of girls’ sports, supported taxpayer funding for Planned Parenthood and benefits for people in the country illegally, and backed red flag laws that allow firearms to be taken without due process,” Willis said. “She also supported the Afghan resettlement program.”
Willis connected that program to a fatal shooting in Washington, D.C., saying it “allowed an Afghan national to travel across the country and shoot two West Virginia National Guardsmen, one of whom was killed.” He added that her support for Afghan resettlement policies “was followed by a tragedy that claimed the life of Webster County native Sarah Beckstrom.”
In a similar criticism, Willis said Capito “has not stood firm on key issues, opposing traditional marriage protections, missing a vote on girls’ sports, supporting Planned Parenthood funding and benefits for illegal immigrants, and endorsing red flag laws that undermine constitutional protections.”
Willis also pointed to ratings from conservative organizations, saying Capito “has earned failing scores from groups such as CPAC, Heritage Action and FreedomWorks.”
The state’s primary election is scheduled for May 12.