Riley Moore

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Riley Moore
BornRiley McGowan Moore
1 7, 1980
BirthplaceMorgantown, West Virginia, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
OccupationPolitician
Known forU.S. Representative for West Virginia's 2nd congressional district; 25th West Virginia State Treasurer
EducationGeorge Mason University (BA)
National Defense University (MS)
Spouse(s)Guillermina Garcia
Children3
Website[[rileymoore.house.gov rileymoore.house.gov] Official site]

Riley McGowan Moore (born July 1, 1980) is an American politician serving as the U.S. representative for West Virginia's 2nd congressional district since January 2025. A member of the Republican Party, Moore previously served as the 25th West Virginia State Treasurer from 2021 to 2025, a tenure marked by his outspoken opposition to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investing practices among major financial institutions. Before holding statewide office, he represented the 67th district in the West Virginia House of Delegates from 2017 to 2019. Moore comes from one of West Virginia's most prominent political families: he is the grandson of former Governor Arch Moore Jr. and the nephew of former U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito. Since entering Congress, he has focused on issues including trade policy, constituent services, and international religious freedom, particularly regarding Christian persecution in Nigeria. He succeeded Alex Mooney as the representative for West Virginia's 2nd congressional district following the 2024 elections.

Early Life

Riley McGowan Moore was born on July 1, 1980, in Morgantown, West Virginia.[1] He was born into one of the most established political families in the state. His grandfather, Arch Moore Jr., served as the Governor of West Virginia for three terms, and his grandmother, Shelley Moore, was a prominent figure in West Virginia civic life. His aunt, Shelley Moore Capito, served as a U.S. representative from West Virginia before being elected to the United States Senate in 2014, where she served until 2025.

Moore grew up in the eastern panhandle of West Virginia, in the Harpers Ferry area of Jefferson County.[2] The eastern panhandle of West Virginia, situated near the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area, provided Moore with exposure to both the rural character of West Virginia and the political environment of the nation's capital from an early age.

Prior to entering politics, Moore worked in Washington, D.C., where he was involved in lobbying and government affairs. He worked at the Podesta Group, a prominent lobbying firm in Washington, before the firm's dissolution amid a federal investigation. Moore stated publicly that he had no knowledge of any improper activities at the firm during his time there.[3] His work on K Street was noted in political coverage of lobbying activities.[4]

Education

Moore earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from George Mason University, located in Fairfax, Virginia.[5] He later obtained a Master of Science degree from the National Defense University, a federally chartered institution in Washington, D.C., that provides graduate-level education to military officers and civilian government officials on matters of national security and military strategy.[5]

Career

West Virginia House of Delegates (2017–2019)

Moore entered electoral politics in 2016, when he announced his candidacy for the West Virginia House of Delegates in the 67th district, located in the eastern panhandle of the state.[6] He competed in the Republican primary for the seat, which had previously been held by Democrat Stephen Skinner.[7] Moore won both the primary and the general election, taking office in January 2017.

During his term in the House of Delegates, Moore was an active member of the Republican caucus. By September 2018, he was reported to be in line to become the House majority leader if Republicans maintained their majority in the chamber following the November 2018 elections.[8] This indicated his rapid rise within the state legislative caucus during his first term.

However, Moore lost his bid for re-election in the November 2018 general election. He and fellow Republican delegate Jill Upson both lost their House of Delegates seats in that cycle.[9] Moore was succeeded in the 67th district by Democrat John Doyle. Following his defeat, Moore indicated that he intended to remain active in West Virginia politics and was considering his next political move.[10][11]

West Virginia State Treasurer (2021–2025)

Moore ran for the position of West Virginia State Treasurer in 2020, competing against incumbent Democratic Treasurer John Perdue. The contest drew attention as a matchup between a long-serving Democrat and a younger Republican challenger from a well-known political family. In the lead-up to the November general election, both candidates articulated their visions for the office.[12] Moore won the general election in November 2020, defeating Perdue and flipping the office to Republican control.[13] He was inaugurated as the 25th West Virginia State Treasurer on January 18, 2021, serving under Governor Jim Justice.

Opposition to ESG investing

Moore's tenure as State Treasurer was defined in large part by his opposition to ESG investing practices, particularly among major financial institutions that he contended were discriminating against the fossil fuel industry, a critical sector of West Virginia's economy.

In June 2022, Moore joined with other state financial officers in opposing ESG-based investment policies. He threatened to bar major banks and investment firms, including BlackRock, from doing business with the state of West Virginia if they continued policies he characterized as hostile to the fossil fuel industry.[14] This action placed Moore at the forefront of a broader national movement among Republican state officials to push back against what they viewed as financial institutions using their market power to advance environmental and social agendas at the expense of traditional energy sectors.

Moore also joined a coalition of state financial officers from other states in formally opposing ESG investment criteria, arguing that such practices violated fiduciary duties and harmed states economically dependent on fossil fuel extraction.[15] His actions as Treasurer on the ESG front garnered national media attention and positioned him as a prominent voice in the Republican opposition to ESG practices in public finance.

Moore served as State Treasurer until January 3, 2025, when he was succeeded by Larry Pack.

U.S. House of Representatives (2025–present)

2024 campaign

In November 2022, Moore announced his candidacy for the United States House of Representatives in West Virginia's 2nd congressional district, which was being vacated by the redistricting and shifting political landscape in the state.[16]

In the May 2024 Republican primary, Moore won the GOP nomination, defeating other candidates for the seat. He and fellow Republican Carol Miller, who ran for West Virginia's other congressional seat, both secured their respective nominations on the same day.[17] Moore went on to win the November 2024 general election, securing the seat with a commanding margin in the heavily Republican district.[18] He succeeded Alex Mooney as the representative for the district.

Tenure in Congress

Moore took office on January 3, 2025, as part of the 119th United States Congress. Since entering Congress, he has been active on several policy fronts, including trade, constituent services, and international religious freedom.

Trade policy

Moore has been a vocal supporter of tariff policies advanced by President Donald Trump. In late 2025, following a U.S. Supreme Court decision striking down tariffs imposed by President Trump, Moore issued a sharp response criticizing the ruling and calling for the passage of the Reciprocal Trade Act as a legislative alternative to achieve similar trade policy goals.[19][20] Moore argued that trade barriers were essential for protecting American industries, including those in West Virginia.

International religious freedom

Moore has taken a prominent interest in the issue of Christian persecution abroad, particularly in Nigeria. In October 2025, he sent a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio urging the U.S. Department of State to designate Nigeria as a "Country of Particular Concern" under the International Religious Freedom Act due to what he described as rampant persecution of Christians in that country.[21]

In February 2026, Moore presented an official report at the White House with proposed solutions to address Christian persecution and violence in Nigeria. He was joined by members of the House Committee on Appropriations and the House Committee on Foreign Affairs in presenting the report.[22][23]

Constituent services

Moore's congressional office has been active in constituent casework. In early 2026, Moore announced that his office had recovered more than $5 million in federal funds for residents of West Virginia's 2nd congressional district, assisting constituents in navigating federal agencies and resolving issues related to federal benefits and payments.[24]

Personal Life

Riley Moore is married to Guillermina Garcia. The couple has three children. The family has roots in Jefferson County, West Virginia, in the eastern panhandle of the state.[25]

Moore is a member of one of West Virginia's most prominent political dynasties. His grandfather, Arch Moore Jr., served three terms as Governor of West Virginia (1969–1977 and 1985–1989). His grandmother, Shelley Moore, was involved in state civic affairs. His aunt, Shelley Moore Capito, represented West Virginia's 2nd congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2001 to 2015 before serving as a U.S. Senator from West Virginia from 2015 to 2025. His cousin, Moore Capito, is also a member of the extended political family.

Legacy

As a relatively early-career politician still serving in office, Moore's legacy remains in development. However, several aspects of his political career have already had measurable impact on West Virginia and national politics.

His tenure as State Treasurer was notable for elevating the anti-ESG investment movement to national prominence. By threatening to bar major financial institutions from doing state business over their fossil fuel policies, Moore helped establish a template that other Republican state officials subsequently adopted across the country. The Reuters coverage of his actions against BlackRock and other firms in 2022 brought national and international attention to the tension between ESG investing practices and states economically reliant on fossil fuels.[26]

Moore's election to Congress in 2024 continued a family tradition of representation in West Virginia's 2nd congressional district, the same district his aunt, Shelley Moore Capito, represented in the U.S. House for 14 years. His path — from state delegate to statewide office to Congress — mirrors a trajectory common among members of established political families in the state, while his focus on trade policy and international religious freedom issues has distinguished his early congressional tenure.

References

  1. ↑ "Riley M. Moore".LegiStorm.https://www.legistorm.com/person/bio/26827/Riley_M_Moore.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  2. ↑ "Ancestry Records — Riley Moore".Ancestry.com.https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/62209/?name=Riley_Moore&birth=1980-7&birth_x=0-0-0&name_x=1_1&residence=_harpers+ferry-jefferson-west+virginia-usa_24683&residence_x=_1-0.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  3. ↑ "Moore says he had no idea what was happening at Podesta Group".WV MetroNews.2017-10-31.https://wvmetronews.com/2017/10/31/moore-says-he-had-no-idea-what-was-happening-at-podesta-group/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  4. ↑ "K Street's money backing Strange in Alabama special".Politico.2017-08-15.https://www.politico.com/tipsheets/politico-influence/2017/08/15/k-streets-money-backing-strange-in-alabama-special-221889.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Riley M. Moore".LegiStorm.https://www.legistorm.com/person/bio/26827/Riley_M_Moore.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  6. ↑ "Riley Moore announces candidacy for House of Delegates 67th District".Shepherdstown Chronicle.http://www.shepherdstownchronicle.com/page/content.detail/id/513387/Riley-Moore-announces-candidacy-for-House-of-Delegates-67th-District.html?nav=5089.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  7. ↑ "Two seek GOP nod in W.Va. 67th House district".Herald-Mail Media.https://www.heraldmailmedia.com/news/tri_state/west_virginia/two-seek-gop-nod-in-w-va-th-house-district/article_42e1455e-04ec-11e6-a8af-47d46723fcdd.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  8. ↑ "Riley Moore in line to be majority leader if GOP maintains W.Va. House majority".WV MetroNews.2018-09-19.https://wvmetronews.com/2018/09/19/riley-moore-in-line-to-be-majority-leader-if-gop-maintains-wv-house-majority/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  9. ↑ "Moore, Upson lose House of Delegates seats".Herald-Mail Media.https://www.heraldmailmedia.com/news/tri_state/west_virginia/moore-upson-lose-house-of-delegates-seats/article_bd6eb69a-19bd-50de-a780-31d2a9dd3b03.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  10. ↑ "After loss, Riley Moore plots next moves".The Intelligencer.https://www.theintelligencer.net/news/top-headlines/2018/11/after-loss-riley-moore-plots-next-moves/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  11. ↑ "After loss, Riley Moore plots next moves (archived)".The Intelligencer (archived).https://web.archive.org/web/20181125130438/http://www.theintelligencer.net/news/top-headlines/2018/11/after-loss-riley-moore-plots-next-moves/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  12. ↑ "Perdue, Moore look ahead to November face off for Treasurer position".WV MetroNews.2020-06-04.http://wvmetronews.com/2020/06/04/perdue-moore-look-ahead-to-november-face-off-for-treasurer-position/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  13. ↑ "Attorney General and Auditor races called for incumbents".WV MetroNews.2020-11-03.https://wvmetronews.com/2020/11/03/attorney-general-and-auditor-races-called-for-incumbents/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  14. ↑ "West Virginia threatens to bar big banks, BlackRock over perceived fossil fuel policies".Reuters.2022-06-14.https://www.reuters.com/business/finance/west-virginia-threatens-bar-big-banks-blackrock-over-perceived-fossil-fuel-2022-06-14/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  15. ↑ "West Virginia Treasurer Riley Moore joins other financial officers opposing ESG".The Intelligencer.https://www.theintelligencer.net/news/top-headlines/2022/06/west-virginia-treasurer-riley-moore-joins-other-financial-officers-opposing-esg/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  16. ↑ "Treasurer Riley Moore announces run for Congress".WV MetroNews.2022-11-21.https://wvmetronews.com/2022/11/21/treasurer-riley-moore-announces-run-for-congress/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  17. ↑ "Riley Moore, Carol Miller win GOP nominations for West Virginia's two congressional seats".The Dominion Post.2024-05-14.https://www.dominionpost.com/2024/05/14/riley-moore-carol-miller-win-gop-nominations-for-west-virginias-two-congressional-seats/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  18. ↑ "West Virginia 2024 Election Results".Clarity Elections.https://results.enr.clarityelections.com/WV/122766/web.345435/#/detail/250.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  19. ↑ "Congressman Riley M. Moore Responds to the Supreme Court's Decision on President Trump's Tariffs, Calls for Passage of Reciprocal Trade Act".Office of Congressman Riley Moore.https://rileymoore.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-riley-m-moore-responds-supreme-courts-decision-president-trumps.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  20. ↑ "Rep. Riley Moore slams Supreme Court ruling striking down Trump tariffs".WV News.https://www.wvnews.com/news/wvnews/rep-riley-moore-slams-supreme-court-ruling-striking-down-trump-tariffs/article_60a7c142-3c6f-4c40-af6e-ff521cd2f823.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  21. ↑ "Congressman Moore Urges Secretary of State to Designate Nigeria a "Country of Particular Concern" Amid Rampant Christian Persecution".Office of Congressman Riley Moore.2025-10-06.http://rileymoore.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-moore-urges-secretary-state-designate-nigeria-country-particular.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  22. ↑ "Congressman Riley M. Moore Presents Official Report to the White House with Solutions to End Christian Persecution in Nigeria".Office of Congressman Riley Moore.https://rileymoore.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-riley-m-moore-presents-official-report-white-house-solutions-end.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  23. ↑ "Full official report by Riley Moore on Christian Persecution in Nigeria".Realnews Magazine.https://realnewsmagazine.net/full-official-report-by-riley-moore-on-christian-persecution-in-nigeria/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  24. ↑ "Congressman Riley Moore announces recovery of federal funds for West Virginia residents totaling $5 million".WBOY.https://www.wboy.com/news/west-virginia/congressman-riley-moore-announces-recovery-of-federal-funds-for-west-virginia-residents-totaling-5-million/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  25. ↑ "Ancestry Records — Riley Moore".Ancestry.com.https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/62209/?name=Riley_Moore&birth=1980-7&birth_x=0-0-0&name_x=1_1&residence=_harpers+ferry-jefferson-west+virginia-usa_24683&residence_x=_1-0.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  26. ↑ "West Virginia threatens to bar big banks, BlackRock over perceived fossil fuel policies".Reuters.2022-06-14.https://www.reuters.com/business/finance/west-virginia-threatens-bar-big-banks-blackrock-over-perceived-fossil-fuel-2022-06-14/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.

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