West Virginia Political Families

Photo by PBS

Last Friday, I read Hoppy Kercheval’s commentary, “West Virginia’s most famous Primary Election.” The opening sentence reads:

Today is the 64th anniversary of the most famous Primary Election in West Virginia history. It was on May 10, 1960, when West Virginia Democrats gave John F. Kennedy a decisive victory over Hubert Humphrey in the Primary Election, propelling him to the presidency.

The 1960 Presidential Election got me hooked on politics for the first time. I have not forgotten JFK’s upset in West Virginia.

John F. Kennedy campaigning Door-to-Door in West Virginia, 1960

Today, I will vote in the primary election for the first time in West Virginia.

In the past few months, the bombardment of campaign postcards and campaign commercials caused me to be confused by candidate’s last names.

Oh, Gee! There are some political families in the Mountaineer State.

Moore Capito

Republican candidate for the Governor

• His grandfather was Arch A. Moore Jr., Governor (from 1969–1977 and 1985–1989)

• His mother is U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito.

• His cousin is West Virginia State Treasurer Riley Moore, who is running for the Second Congressional District.

Clockwise from top-left: Moore, Riley, Arch, and Shelley

Joe Manchin

Decided not to seek the reelection of the U.S. Senator

• His uncle was Antonio James Manchin, a member of the WV House of Delegates (1948–50; 1998–2003), as Secretary of State (1977–85), and as State Treasurer (1985–89).

• His first cousin is Mark Manchin, a member of the WV Senate (1988-2992)

• His first cousin is Tim Manchin, a member of the WV House of Delegates (2003-2017)

Clockwise from top-left: Tim, James, Joe, and Mark

Chris Miller

Republican candidate for the Governor

• His grandfather was a U.S. congressman, Samuel L. Devine (R-OH-12th)

• His mother is a U.S. congresswoman, Carol Miller (R-WV-3rd)

Clockwise from top: Chris, Samuel, and Carol

Riley Moore

Republican candidate for the Second Congressional District

• His grandfather was Arch A. Moore Jr., Governor (from 1969–1977 and 1985–1989)

• His aunt is U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito.

• His first cousin is Moore Capito, who resigned as West Virginia House of Delegate in 2023 to run for Governor.

Clockwise from top-left: Shelley, Riley, Arch. and Moore

---

On June 20, 1963, JFK returned to West Virginia and told West Virginians:

“I would not be where I am now, I would not have some of the responsibilities which I now bear, if it had not been for the people of West Virginia.”

NOTE: The candidate in the editorial cartoon is not listed in the West Virginia Primary Ballot today.