Photo by Joselyn King U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-West Virginia, left, is greeted by Lisa and Barry Allen during a visit to Wheeling on Thursday to endorse West Virginia Senate GOP candidate Joe Eddy.

WHEELING – Shelley Moore Capito is throwing her weight behind two Northern Panhandle Republicans seeking election to the West Virginia Senate.

Capito, R-West Virginia, came to Wheeling Thursday to announce her support for Joe Eddy, candidate for the District 1 West Virginia Senate seat, during a lunchtime gathering at Generations Restaurant and Pub.

Later in the day, she spoke in support of Robert Dobkin, candidate for the District 2 seat, during a gathering at Grand Vue Park.

Donald Trump endorsed Capito for re-election this year. Now Capito is endorsing retired businessman Eddy’s first campaign for West Virginia Senate, noting the three of them share common goals.

Republican Gov. Patrick Morrisey already has endorsed Eddy’s opponent, incumbent Sen. Laura Wakim Chapman, R-Ohio, in the GOP primary.

“I support Joe,” Capito said. “I’ve known him for a very long time. He has been a great businessman. He wants to grow business. He has a lot of experience, and he is the kind of voice we need in Washington.

“I want to support him to support the policies that I support in Washington – which is pro-growth, lower taxes, jobs and manufacturing. All those good things.”

Capito said she is not certain there is a divide this election within the Republican Party or between her and Morrisey.

“I’m here supporting somebody I’ve known for over 20 years,” she continued. “I know it’s important that West Virginia policies match with the policies of President Trump and what we are working on in Washington. I know Joe believes in those. That is why I’m supporting him.”

And Capito said she remains supportive of Trump.

“Sure. I talk to him. I see him – but not all the time,” she said.

Capito noted she worked with Trump on passage of Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” last year, on tax cuts, energy reform and immigration efforts at the border.

They are about to start work on permitting reform, she added.

“Yes, he supports me, the vice president (J.D. Vance) supports me, and we support Joe,” Capito said.

Eddy said he was honored to have Capito’s endorsement.

“It means everything to me,” he continued. “She is one of the top producing senators in our Congress. She’s got the best business rating. Our objectives match exactly.

“What she wants to do for West Virginia is the same thing I want to do. We want to move it forward and continue to create jobs. We want to make sure that growth is sustainable into the future. She has done great things for business with broadband and health care.”

Eddy added he and Capito “have been working on objectives for years,” and he called her “a great friend.”

“I’ve been a big supporter of hers,” he said. “It means everything to me that she would take the time to come not only to endorse me but to support me.

“Her endorsement from Donald Trump leads on down to taking care that the people she supports are directly connected.”

Eddy noted he was an adviser to Trump from 2017 to 2019, and he often would stop in to speak with Capito while in Washington.

“We are very aligned with our objectives, and it’s a very important endorsement. One of the most important,” he said.

In Moundsville, Dobkin agreed it was “an incredible honor to receive the endorsement of U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito.”

“She is an incredible leader for our state, setting a high standard in championing common sense policies that drive economic development in West Virginia, promote our natural resources, secure our borders and cut taxes – putting more money back into the pockets of West Virginians,” Dobkin said.

Capito termed Dobkin “a great West Virginian,” and added she appreciated his willingness to run for state Senate.

“We need leaders in our state who are focused on economic development, creating good paying jobs, and making investments that uplift our communities and keep them safe,” she said. “Robert has the experience and leadership needed to serve our state well and I’m happy to endorse him.”