The 2026 U.S. Senate race in West Virginia was already getting crowded and two more candidates entered the contest Thursday.

Republican Alexander Gaaserud and Democrat Zachary Shrewsbury joined those already filing to run for the seat currently occupied by incumbent Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-West Virginia.

In addition to Capito and Gaaserud, three other candidates will be on the GOP ballot — Janet McNulty, David Purkey and Tom Willis.

On the Democratic side, Shrewsbury has competition from Rachel Fetty Anderson and Rio Phillips.

Gaaserud previously ran for West Virginia’s 2nd District U.S. House seat in 2024.

Shrewsbury ran for U.S. Senate in 2024, and is a founder of the progressive “Bluejay Rising” group. A massage therapist accused him last summer of allegedly groping her during a session.

There will also be a contested GOP primary in Ohio County for the District 4 House of Delegates seat being vacated by Delegate Bill Flanigan, R-Ohio.

Prospective candidates in West Virginia have until midnight on Jan. 31 to file for office.

NEW FILINGS FOR JAN. 22

U.S. Senate (Democrat)

Zachary Shrewsbury

U.S. Senate (Republican)

Alexander Gaaserud

House of Delegates – District 4 (Republican)

Derek Ennis

Justice of the Supreme Court of Appeals – District 1 (unexpired)

Gerald Titus

Brooke County Board of Education

Pete Bolock