W.Va. Rep. Capito gets a primary challenge

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A self-proclaimed born-again Christian, Miller said it’s important to him that voters understand his reasons for running – especially because he has been praying and asking for God’s direction about his political career.

“In 2009, I rededicated my life to Christ and began to pray to see even more of God’s will for my life. For example, should I stay or leave politics….And in May 2010, he called me to run in May 2012,” Miller said in a telephone interview.

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Miller, who first emailed the news in a video to his supporters, said he knows it will be difficult to face Rep. Shelley Moore Capito and to expand his campaigning efforts to the Second Congressional District since it includes 18 counties. But now is the time to take this step because new faces and ideas are needed in Washington, Miller said.

“I do feel that Rep. Capito has served honorably for more than 10 years and it’s true that no political position, especially one of this scale, is an easy one. But I’m also running because I’m tired of seeing Washington politicians put themselves before the American people,” Miller said, stressing that many folks share this frustration.

“They have forgotten the great principle that our government is ‘of the people, by the people and for the people,'” he said.

Capito spokesman Kent Gates, who said he’d seen Miller’s announcement, also said “the election is a long time away.”

Until then, Capito will continue to “focus on the job voters elected her to do” regardless of who she may face in the 2012 primary, he said.

Capito was recruited by national Republicans to run against Manchin in last year’s special election to fill the seat of the late Sen. Robert Byrd (D-W.Va.), but she declined.