photo by: W.Va. Legislative Photography

State Senate President Randy Smith, R-Preston, left, seen here with state Sen. Tom Willis, R-Berkeley, on the last night of the 2025 legislative session on April 12, announced Tuesday that Willis will be promoted from vice chairman to chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

CHARLESTON — Tom Willis, a freshman state senator from Hedgesville and a Republican candidate for U.S. Senate, will helm one of the Legislature’s most powerful committees heading into 2026.

State Senate President Randy Smith, R-Preston, announced Tuesday morning that Willis, R-Berkeley, will be elevated from vice chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee to chairman effective immediately.

“Judiciary is one of our busiest and most important committees, and I knew that I needed a strong, reliable leader to fill that role,” Smith said. “His extensive knowledge and background made him a natural fit. I am honored that he was willing to step up and take on this challenge, and I am confident he’s dedicated to making the lives of West Virginians and their families better.”

Willis — a businessman, West Virginia National Guard officer, and attorney in the Eastern Panhandle with a focus on real estate — won election in 2024 for a four-year state Senate term for District 15, representing parts of Berkeley, Morgan and Hampshire counties. During the 2024 GOP primary, Willis defeated former Senate President Craig Blair.

Shortly after succeeding Blair as senate president, Smith appointed Willis as the new vice chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee beginning with the 2025 legislative session. Willis succeeds former Kanawha County state senator Mike Stuart, who was appointed by President Donald Trump as the general counsel for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, as committee chairman.

“I am humbled and honored that the Senate President asked me to serve in this leadership role for our great State,” Willis said Tuesday afternoon. “As Judiciary Chair, I will continue my public service to the wonderful people of West Virginia, a journey I started 25 years ago when I joined the West Virginia National Guard in 2000.”

The judiciary committees in both the state Senate and House of Delegates are considered major committees along with the finance, education, and health and human resources committees. The bulk of all legislation that makes it to the floor for a vote in both chambers flows through these committees.

However, chairing the Senate Judiciary Committee during the regular 60-day legislative session beginning Jan. 14, could make it difficult for Willis to campaign for the 2026 U.S. Senate Republican primary taking place on May 12. But Willis said he would still be fully focused on his statehouse duties.

“While I am a declared candidate for U.S. Senate in 2026 because it is time for a change, rest assured I will give 110% to my work as Judiciary chair as we work together in the Legislature to improve economic prosperity for all West Virginians, improve education outcomes and protect our personal liberties,” he said.

Willis filed paperwork earlier this spring with the Federal Election Commission to form Tom Willis Victory, allowing him to fundraise and explore a challenge to U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., who is seeking her third six-year term. According to his most recent FEC quarterly campaign finance report, Willis raised $25,178 for the quarter and election cycle-to-date, leaving him with $156,361 in cash-on-hand. Most of Willis’ cash-on-hand was due to money he loaned himself for his campaign. Since filing his FEC paperwork, Willis has loaned his campaign $175,000.

In comparison, Capito raised $811,734 during the most recent quarter, bringing her election cycle-to-date contributions to nearly $3.7 million and leaving her with more than $4.1 million in cash-on-hand with no loans.

This is Willis’ second time running for U.S. Senate. He was one of six Republicans in the 2018 primary for U.S. Senate, when former U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin was seeking his second six-year term as a Democrat.

Willis came in fourth in that primary with just under 10% of the vote, with then-Attorney General (now Gov.) Patrick Morrisey winning that primary but losing the general election.

The candidate filing period for federal and statewide candidates is Jan. 12-31.