Republican · West Virginia's 2nd District · 2026
Riley Moore
Moore started his working life as a welder in a mining operation before earning college degrees and moving into public policy.
Biography
Riley Moore started his working life as a welder in a mining operation before college and a career in public policy.1 A Morgantown native, he now lives in Harpers Ferry with his wife, Mina, and their three children.1 His family's political history includes his aunt, Shelley Moore Capito, and grandfather, Arch Moore.2
Moore attended C.S. Monroe Technology Center, earned a bachelor's degree at George Mason in 2005 and completed a master's at National Defense University in 2011.2 He worked for the House Foreign Affairs Committee from 2007 to 2013 and also worked as a business executive.2
He served in West Virginia's House of Delegates from 2017 to 2019 and as state treasurer from 2021 to 2025.2 His Treasury work included administering Hope Scholarships and the Jumpstart Savings Program.1 Jumpstart provides state tax advantaged accounts for skilled workers' expenses such as tools, equipment and supplies.3
Moore entered Congress in January 2025 and serves on Appropriations.21 His political priorities include supporting fossil fuel industries and opposing financial investment policies that disfavor them.1 Democrat Ace Parsi is challenging him in November as he seeks a second term.4
Record and controversies
Prison photograph
In April 2025, Moore posted a photograph giving two thumbs up outside a cell at El Salvador's CECOT prison, with incarcerated people behind him.5 The ACLU of West Virginia criticized the gesture and his support for sending people there without due process.6 Moore said the gesture affirmed the Trump and Bukele administrations' security policies; he did not regret the post but said he regretted the reaction and had not intended to offend people.5