Moore Capito Could Become West Virginia’s First Gay Governor

CHARLESTON — In a poignant and deeply personal journey, Delegate Moore Capito, son of Republican Senator Shelley Moore Capito, finds himself at the intersection of his private life and political aspirations. Recent revelations have shed light on Capito’s struggles, including his decision to keep his sexuality private in the face of West Virginia’s conservative religious and political climate.

Reports have surfaced indicating that Capito allegedly had an affair with a male staffer formerly working in the West Virginia Treasurer’s Office, a situation that ultimately led to the dissolution of his marriage and separation from his wife, though he still has partial custody of his two young children. The news has undoubtedly rocked Capito’s world, thrusting him into a delicate balancing act between his personal truth and the expectations of his political environment.

While attending college at Washington and Lee University School of Law, Moore met his wife. Upon graduation, the couple moved to West Virginia to start their family and careers. Moore began working in the oil and gas industry. In May of 2015, they had their first child, and their second child a few years later.

Shortly after the alleged affair, the staffer permanently moved out of state and Capito experienced a devastating divorce.

In addition to the internal struggles Capito faces, the fallout from the alleged affair has extended to the online realm, where he has become the target of bullying and harassment on social media platforms. The relentless scrutiny and negative commentary further compound the challenges Capito confronts as he navigates this deeply personal and increasingly public ordeal.

These allegations were first made by Vets4Coal, a social media page that advocates for policies that support the coal industry. The page initially circulated a photo appearing to show Moore Capito holding hands with a male subject, though the origins of the photo are unknown. Following The Pittsburgh Observer’s story, exposing the bullying and harassment against Capito, Vets4Coal wrote,

“Being Gay is not the issue, however being dishonest is, he should just come out and stop dragging around a prop to make people think he is still married. Just be truthful and debate the issues.”

Rather than focusing on evaluating candidates based on their qualifications, policies, and abilities to serve effectively, far-right organizations like Vets4Coal have made it a point to make personal attacks using politicians’ alleged private struggles.

Delegate Capito’s purported personal struggles with his sexuality may have played a significant role in shaping the views of his mother on same-sex marriage. Witnessing firsthand the challenges her son faced in reconciling his identity with societal expectations could have prompted Senator Capito to reevaluate her stance on LGBTQ+ rights. Her eventual vote in favor of The Respect for Marriage Act could reflect a deeper understanding and empathy gained through her son’s experiences, highlighting the profound impact of personal journeys on political perspectives. This has also been exploited by the online group.

Vets4Coal endorsed a variety of candidates for both statewide and legislative offices. The group endorsed Mac Warner for Governor. Following an investigation by The Observer, we found that there was no linkage between the page and Warner directly. Sources told The Observer that multiple individuals had access to post on the page, which has now disappeared from Facebook’s platform. Additionally, Warner’s lone associate (targeted in a misleading report from the ACLU of WV) had left the group months before any posts regarding Capito were made.

Despite the speculation surrounding his personal life and the potential historic significance of his candidacy, Capito has remained silent on the matter, choosing not to publicly address the details of his divorce situation. His reluctance to comment has left many questions unanswered, leaving constituents and observers alike to ponder the intricacies of his journey.

As Capito continues to navigate the delicate balance between his private life and political ambitions, his story serves as a reminder of the complexities inherent in the intersection of personal identity and public life. In a state where tradition and conservative values often reign supreme, Capito’s journey underscores the challenges faced by individuals striving to reconcile their authentic selves with societal expectations.