Riley Moore

Riley M. Moore is an American politician currently serving as the U.S. Representative for West Virginia's 2nd congressional district. A member of the Republican Party, he has held this office since January 3, 2025. Prior to his election to the House of Representatives, Moore served as the 25th West Virginia State Treasurer from 2021 to 2025 and was a member of the West Virginia House of Delegates from 2017 to 2019. His political career is marked by a focus on fiscal responsibility and opposition to certain investment practices.

Early life and career

Riley Moore was born on July 1, 1980. He has a diverse educational background that includes an apprenticeship certificate in welding from the C. S. Monroe Technology Center. He furthered his education by earning a bachelor's degree in government from George Mason University, followed by a master's degree in strategic security studies from the National Defense University. This combination of practical and academic experience has contributed to his understanding of both local and national issues.

Before entering politics, Moore worked as a welder, which provided him with firsthand experience in the trades and an understanding of the challenges faced by working-class individuals. His career in public service began when he took on a role as a staffer for the United States House Committee on Foreign Affairs, where he gained insights into legislative processes and international relations.

From 2013 to 2017, Moore was employed as a Vice President at the Podesta Group, a lobbying firm known for its connections to the Democratic Party. During his tenure there, he was involved with a client team that worked on behalf of the European Centre for a Modern Ukraine (ECFMU), an organization associated with former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych. It is noteworthy that during subsequent investigations into the firm, Moore was not implicated in any wrongdoing. After leaving the Podesta Group, he became a director at Textron, a multinational aerospace and defense conglomerate, further broadening his professional experience.

Moore's entry into politics was marked by his election to the West Virginia House of Delegates in 2016. He ran for the 67th district seat after incumbent Stephen Skinner chose not to seek reelection. Moore won the election against Rod Snyder and subsequently served as the assistant majority whip for the Republican caucus. His leadership potential was recognized in 2018 when he was appointed by Speaker of the House Roger Hanshaw to be the next Majority Leader. However, he lost his reelection bid later that year to John Doyle.

House tenure

Following his time in the West Virginia House of Delegates, Moore sought a higher office and ran for West Virginia State Treasurer in 2020. He was unopposed in the Republican primary and faced the long-serving incumbent, John Perdue, in the general election. Moore won the election with a significant majority, securing 56% of the vote. During his time as State Treasurer, he took a strong stance against Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) investing, particularly opposing financial institutions that he believed were detrimental to the fossil fuel industry. In June 2022, he issued a letter to several major financial institutions, announcing that they would no longer be allowed to conduct business with the state due to their positions against fossil fuels.

On November 21, 2022, Moore announced his candidacy for the U.S. House of Representatives, aiming to succeed Alex Mooney, who was running for the United States Senate. He participated in the Republican primary for West Virginia's 2nd congressional district, where he emerged victorious against four other candidates, garnering 46% of the vote. Moore was subsequently elected in the November 2024 general election and officially took office on January 3, 2025.

Legislative focus and committees

Since taking office, Moore has been active in introducing legislation and participating in various congressional committees. In March 2025, he introduced a bill aimed at banning the issuance of student visas for citizens of the People's Republic of China. This proposal was met with criticism from several organizations, including the Committee of 100 and the Asian American Foundation, which labeled the bill as Sinophobic, highlighting the contentious nature of immigration and foreign relations issues in contemporary politics.

In addition to his legislative initiatives, Moore has been involved in various committee assignments during the 119th Congress. He serves on the Committee on Appropriations, which is responsible for determining the allocation of federal funds. Within this committee, he is a member of several subcommittees, including those focused on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies, Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies, and the Legislative Branch. His involvement in these committees suggests a focus on fiscal matters and the oversight of federal spending.

Moore is also a member of the Republican Study Committee, which is a group of conservative members of the House of Representatives that aims to promote a conservative agenda within the legislative process.

In his personal life, Riley Moore comes from a politically active family. His grandfather, Arch A. Moore Jr., served as the governor of West Virginia and represented a congressional district that included parts of his current constituency. Additionally, his aunt, Shelley Moore Capito, is a sitting U.S. Senator, and his cousin is also involved in politics. Moore practices Catholicism and resides in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, with his wife, Guillermina, and their three children.

Overall, Riley M. Moore's political career reflects a trajectory that has taken him from local governance to a significant role in the U.S. Congress, where he continues to advocate for his constituents and engage in national policy discussions.