Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., listens during a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies hearing, Wednesday, June 9, 2021, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (Stefani Reynolds/The New York Times)

CHARLESTON – One of West Virginia’s top Republicans won’t weigh in on the heated race between Republican Congressmen David McKinley and Alex Mooney, but U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito said Thursday that McKinley’s infrastructure vote was right for the state.

Capito, R-W.Va., held a virtual briefing with West Virginia reporters Thursday afternoon from her Capitol Hill office. Capito said traditionally she avoids endorsing in contested primary races, but she believes the new 2nd Congressional District seat is in good hands with either 1st District Rep. McKinley or 2nd District Rep. Mooney.

“I am not going to do that right now,” Capito said. “I’ve never been in a primary like this; I think they’re very, very difficult. But I think West Virginia will be served well whoever wins. I wish them both the best of luck.”

McKinley has served the 1st District since 2011 and is a former state lawmaker, former chairman of the West Virginia Republican Party, and a former Republican candidate for governor in 1996. Mooney was elected to the seat held by Capito between 2001 and 2015 when she took office as West Virginia’s newest U.S. Senator. Mooney is also a former Maryland lawmaker and Maryland Republican Party chairman.

Capito’s decision to not endorse is different than West Virginia’s other top Republican: Gov. Jim Justice. McKinley received Justice’s endorsement over Mooney in February and held a fundraiser in Charleston for McKinley in March.

“Congressman McKinley works hard in the U.S. House of Representatives for the people of West Virginia and has for his entire career,” Justice said. “I see him working in our communities, and he is a fighter for the people of West Virginia. I am proud to support and endorse him.”

While not issuing an endorsement, Capito heaped praise on McKinley for being one of 13 Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives to vote for the $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act in November. Both Capito and U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., were active in negotiating the bill’s contents. Mooney voted no on the infrastructure bill and has attacked McKinley for his yes vote in campaign ads and mailers,

“I work well with both members, but I’ve been recently with Congressman McKinley on several occasions to talk about the bipartisan infrastructure package,” Capito said. “I think his vote was absolutely the right vote. I think we see constituents and county leaders and city leaders really looking forward to modernizing their transportation and water systems, broadband, and other results of this bill. I have been with Congressman McKinley quite a bit lately.”

Mooney was endorsed by another popular Republican last year: former president Donald Trump, who released a second statement earlier this week expressing his support for Mooney. Trump also attacked McKinley for supporting the infrastructure bill and for his vote to create an independent commission to investigate to Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol Building by Trump supporters trying to stop the certification of the 2020 election for President Joe Biden.

“Congressman Alex Mooney is a conservative warrior …,” Trump said in a statement. “(McKinley) is a RINO (Republican In Name Only) who supported the ‘Unfrastructure Bill’ and the sham January 6 Unselect Committee. Alex fights for our Veterans, for Energy and Clean Coal, Election Integrity, our Borders, Jobs, and against the horrible drug epidemic … Vote for Alex Mooney, who has my Complete and Total Endorsement.”

Early voting in the West Virginia primary elections is underway until Saturday, May 7. Election Day is Tuesday, May 10.