PRINCETON — West Virginia state Sen. Tom Willis, a Republican candidate for U.S. Senate, emphasized his military background and support for veterans while criticizing Sen. Shelley Moore Capito during campaign remarks in Mercer County.
Speaking in Princeton near a war memorial, Willis highlighted his 26 years of military service, including deployments as a U.S. Army Special Forces Green Beret. He said his experience serving in West Virginia and abroad shaped his commitment to veterans’ issues.
“Veterans are very near and dear to my heart,” Willis said. “We always need to take care of our veterans in West Virginia.”
Willis said he had assisted a veteran with a Department of Veterans Affairs issue earlier in the day and pledged to prioritize veterans’ services if elected to the U.S. Senate.
He also argued that West Virginia lacks veteran representation in its current congressional delegation, drawing a contrast with Capito, whom he characterized as a career politician.
Willis criticized Capito’s past support for the Afghan refugee resettlement program following the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. The program relocated tens of thousands of Afghan nationals to the United States. Willis called the policy “a terrible idea.”
During his remarks, Willis referenced a violent incident involving members of the West Virginia National Guard in Washington D.C. and asserted a connection to the resettlement program.
“Shelley voted for the Afghan refugee resettlement program a few years ago. Bad votes have bad consequences. That brought 100,000 Afghan refugees to our country who predictably failed to assimilate. That was a terrible idea with tragic consequences, and her vote directly led to the death of one of our very own in the West Virginia National Guard.”
Capito has previously supported resettlement efforts for Afghan in the region. Her campaign has not immediately responded to Willis’ latest remarks.
Willis framed the race as a choice between military experience and political tenure, arguing that his background would better prepare him to make decisions on national security and public policy.
“As your next U.S. senator, you can count on me to take care of veterans and to represent us with leadership, training and experience in the United States military,” he said.
The Republican Primary for U.S. Senate in West Virginia is scheduled for May 12.
