Riley Moore wins U.S. Congress seat in West Virginia’s 2nd district

West Virginia State Treasurer Riley Moore, seen speaking to the state Senate Judiciary on March 3, 2023, has won a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. (Will Price | West Virginia Legislative Photography)

Riley Moore easily secured his seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, according to unofficial election results. He will represent the mostly northern half of the state in the 2nd Congressional District.

Moore, who serves as state treasurer, defeated Democrat challenger, Steve Wendelin, a Wardensville resident and U.S. Navy veteran with 66% of the vote to Wendelin's 33% when the Associated Press called the race at 8:39 p.m.

He'll replace Alex Mooney, who didn't seek re-election to the U.S. House. Mooney sought the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Sen. Joe Manchin, I-W.Va., but lost his primary to current Gov. Jim Justice.

Moore has been state treasurer since 2021 and is a former state delegate. A father of two, Moore is the nephew of incumbent U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., and grandson of former West Virginia Gov. Arch Moore.

Throughout his campaign, Moore focused on his conservative values and taking on "left special interests," including supporting the coal and gas industry. He has been an advocate for school choice and, as treasurer, has overseen the state's education savings account program, The Hope Scholarship

He was by Republican presidential candidate and former President Donald Trump.