Outgoing U.S. Rep. David McKinley, R-W.Va., said he appreciated the kind words said on the U.S. Senate floor by his friend, Sen. Shelley Moore Capito.
Capito, McKinley’s fellow West Virginia Republican, lauded the congressman Tuesday in a speech on the Senate floor. U.S. Rep. Alex Mooney, R-W.Va., defeated McKinley in this year’s primary for the new northern 2nd District seat in the House of Representatives.
The state lost a congressional district due to population decreases effective for the 2022 election.
McKinley, a Wheeling native, said it has been an honor to serve West Virginia in Congress and serve alongside his friend, Capito.
“We’ve known each other for decades, and we share a passion and commitment to service to our great state,” he said.
“I appreciate her friendship and her kind words on the Senate floor (Tuesday).”
McKinley was instrumental in advancing bills impacting West Virginians, Capito said in the speech.
“David has played an essential role in advancing legislation critical to infrastructure, life-altering hearing aid devices and securing the pensions and retirement benefits that our West Virginia coal miners rely on,” Capito said.
McKinley has been a representative since 2011. He is a former West Virginia Republican Party chairman and served in the West Virginia Legislature.
Capito called McKinley “my very good friend.”
“He and Mary, his wife, have extended steadfast love and friendship to my entire family, but in particular, my parents in some good times and bad,” Capito said. “Those friendships extended for many, many years and never wavered.”
McKinley and Capito also were colleagues in the House of Representatives