Shelley Moore Capito, Trinity '75 and a Republican senator from West Virginia, emphasized the power of women in politics in an interview with The Chronicle.
Capito graduated with a degree in zoology, played for the women’s tennis team and after leaving Duke got a master's of education degree from the University of Virginia. After serving in the United States House of Representatives for 14 years, she became the first-ever female senator from West Virginia in 2015. The Chronicle will be running a series profiling alumni in politics, and spoke with Capito about the current campaign and her journey to Capitol Hill.
“I don’t think this has been a very high level discussion,” Capito said, referring to campaigns by presidential nominees Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. “I think that is a disservice to young voters and new voters, and well, all voters.”
Although she believes that this campaign season has been too concentrated on “sensational statements” and “mistakes made,” she said these distractions do not take away from the importance of voting in the upcoming presidential election.
In West Virigina, Moore focuses on issues of job growth and energy policies regarding coal mining.
Capito also offered advice for undergraduates interested in pursuing careers in politics, stressing the importance of gaining first-hand experience. As the daughter of former West Virginian Governor Arch Alfred Moore Jr., Capito was “raised in politics” by attending political events, speeches and parades with her parents.
“What I would recommend to students is to have that experience either on Capitol Hill or with one of their representatives in their home offices,” she said. “A lot of Duke students do this already, but I think that’s the best way to really light that fire.”
Female students might have a tougher time entering the male-dominated political sphere, Capito said. However, she added that female politicians have also built formidable reputations within the political community.
“Literally, if you ask the guys if they want to run against a woman, none of them do because we’re tough candidates,” Capito said.
But that does not mean that the problem has been solved, and Capito still believes more women need to enter politics.
Her undergraduate education at Duke has served her well throughout her political career, she said. It gave her the confidence and the “breadth of experience” necessary to excel in the political arena. Duke has also given her a “good network of connections” to fellow alumni who work in Washington D.C.
“I learned how to ask the right questions at Duke, and I’m still doing that now,” Capito said. “I always like to connect with my fellow Dukies on Capitol Hill."
Careers in politics rarely proceed as one envisions, Capito noted, emphasizing that successful politicians must be flexible.
“Political careers are built on fortitude and timing and flexibility,” Capito said. “I would encourage my fellow Dukies to stay flexible and focus, and if you suffer defeat, it’s not the end.”
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