Curtis Tate Published

Lawmaker’s Filing Could Set Up Primary Challenge To Capito

A man in a suit speaks into a microphone. Beside him sit several other people in formal attire seated at hardwood desks. Behind him is a white marble wall.
Sen. Tom Willis, R-Berkeley, filed an organization form Wednesday with the Federal Election Commission, (FEC), to establish a U.S. Senate campaign committee.
Will Price/WV Legislative Photo
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U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito may be getting a primary challenge next year from a Republican state lawmaker.

State Sen. Tom Willis, R-Berkeley, filed an organization form Wednesday with the Federal Election Commission, (FEC), to establish a U.S. Senate campaign committee.

While it does not officially declare his candidacy for the U.S. Senate, it lays the groundwork. By establishing the committee, Willis can raise money without declaring himself a candidate.

Willis defeated former Senate President Craig Blair in last year’s Republican primary.

His form filed to the FEC lists his principal campaign committee, Tom Willis Victory, with a headquarters in Martinsburg.

Greg Fornshell is listed as the committee’s treasurer, with an address in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Capito was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2014 and now serves in Republican leadership. She is also the chairwoman of the Environment and Public Works Committee.

President Donald Trump endorsed Capito in a social media post on May 16.