Moore Capito, Miller officially file to run for W.Va. governor
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Photo by Steven Allen Adams
Huntington businessman Chris Miller, center, joined by wife Cassie and supporters, files for the GOP primary for governor of West Virginia Monday
CHARLESTON -- Former Kanawha County lawmaker Moore Capito and Huntington businessman Chris Miller both filed for the May Republican primary for governor of West Virginia Monday.
Capito filed his certificate of candidacy in person Monday morning at the West Virginia Secretary of State's Office. He was joined by his fiance Liberty, son Arch and daughter Eliza, as well as a group of supporters. They posed for photos with Capito underneath the portrait of his grandfather, three-term Republican Gov. Arch Moore.
"I guess this is officially day one, but we've been at it for a long time," Capito said to supporters after his filing. "We've been rolling like Election Day is tomorrow, and we're not going to stop until we're at the finish line."
Capito, an attorney for Babst Calland in Charleston, served four two-year terms in the House of Delegates until resigning in December to focus on the race for governor. He announced his candidacy at the end of 2022.
Capito served as vice chairman and chairman of the powerful House Judiciary Committee. He also served as chairman of the West Virginia Republican Legislative Committee, which saw the GOP majority in the House grow into a supermajority. Republicans hold 89 seats in the 100-member House.
"The important part about this campaign was getting to listen to as many West Virginians as we could face to face," Capito said. "We've sat down at so many restaurants and so many family tables and so many churches and schools to talk to parents, leaders in the community and everyday West Virginians and listening to what they want and what they need to grow their families here."
Capito's grandfather, Arch Moore, served two consecutive terms as governor from 1969 to 1977 and a third term from 1985 to 1989. He also served as 1st District Congressman from 1957 to 1969. His daughter and Capito's mother, Shelley Moore Capito, has been in the U.S. Senate since 2015 after serving as the state's 2nd District Congresswoman since 2001.
Moore Capito hopes to continue their legacy of service as the state's next governor. He also points to his accomplishments in House leadership, including supporting last year's large tax cuts.
"This is all about growing West Virginia and growing together," Capito said. "We've had a message that is very, very simple: We are the get-it-done conservative. This is about looking at the candidate who's got things done, that has a record of doing big things and turning good ideas into great policy that has actually moved the needle."
Huntington businessman Chris Miller -- the son of U.S. Rep. Carol Miller, R-W.Va. -- filed for the GOP primary for governor more than an hour after Capito. He was joined by wife Cassie and several supporters.
"The most important thing to remember is that elections are not about the political class; they're always about the voter; they're about the people. They're about the hearts and minds of people," Miller said after his filing. "What I've done the entire past year is travel all around the state making sure I'm meeting, talking and interacting with as many people as I possibly can."
Miller was the first to launch his campaign for the governor, at the end of 2021. He released a TV ad last week called "Customers," focused on his work at his family's car dealership. Despite his family political connections, Miller said his business background gives him an advantage among his opponents.
"We know what people are looking for. They're looking for something different," Miller said. "They're looking for a business leader. They're looking for an outsider. They're tired of politicians. This is a field of nothing but politicians, and I'm the only person who has actually employed people and provided jobs inside of the State of West Virginia. I'm the only person equipped to make sure our state grows and thrives."
Three other Republicans had filed for governor as of Monday. Attorney General Patrick Morrisey filed his candidacy paperwork last Tuesday. Secretary of State Mac Warner filed his candidacy paperwork on the first day of the candidate filing period on Jan. 8, as did former 2020 independent gubernatorial candidate Mitch Roberts.
Morrisey and Capito are seen as the GOP frontrunners, with Morrisey leading in recent polling, followed by Capito, Warner and Miller, who has the most cash-on-hand.