Tom Willis

Tom Willis served in the U.S. Army National Guard starting in 2000. Willis earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Virginia and a J.D. from Georgetown University. His career experience includes working as an attorney and business owner. Willis' professional experience also includes co-owning the Glen Ferris Inn. He has clerked for a federal judge at the U.S. Tax Court and has worked as a tax lawyer at Baker & McKenzie. Willis has been affiliated with the Special Forces Association, Eagle Scout Association, NRA, West Virginians for Life, National Guard Association, WV Guard Association, WV Bar Association, Chamber of Commerce, and Independent Bible Church.[1][2]

Tom Willis did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2026 Candidate Connection survey.

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Campaign websiteWillis' campaign website stated the following:It’s Time for a ChangeShelley Moore Capito has lost her way.Shelley Has Abandoned West Virginia Family ValuesWest Virginians expect their leaders to stand firm on core values—but too often, we’ve seen inconsistency and positions that don’t reflect our state:SHELLEY: VOTED AGAINST TRADITIONAL MARRIAGE

• One man, one woman (she voted against that(!)HAS FLIP-FLOPPED ON ABORTIONCAN’T BE TRUSTED TO DEFEND LIFEVOTED TO KEEP FUNDING FOR PLANNED PARENTHOOD THEREBY USING YOUR TAXPAYER DOLLARS FOR ABORTIONSSKIPPED THE VOTE TO KEEP BOYS OUT OF GIRLS SPORTS2nd AMENDMENT: SHELLEY VOTED FOR RED FLAG GUN CONFISCATION FUNDING TO SEIZE YOUR FIREARMS WITHOUT DUE PROCESSSHELLEY HAS SERVED HERSELF AND HER FAMILY, NOT WV:

• She is ranked as the #2 or #3 top insider trader in the US Senate.

•Instead of negotiating for WV families, she negotiated to have her son appointed as the US Attorney for the Southern District of WV (and then voted for his confirmation but told WV that was NOT a conflict of interest(!)Shelley voted for the Afghan Refugee resettlement program that brought some 100,000 Afghans to the USA largely unvetted. One of whom, ATTACKED WV NATIONAL GUARDSMEN LAST FALL, KILLING ONE AND SEVERELY INJURING ANOTHER – foolish votes have tragic consequences.Shelley sponsored the RESTRICT ACT which would have given the Biden administration power to pull down your social media posts if they were viewed as harmful to public discourse. This veritable “Truth Ministry” failed, but as Charlie Kirk said in response, “Somebody needs to primary the Senators that voted for this(!)”Shelley has an “F” rating for conservative voting from CPAC, FREEDOM WORKS, and HERITAGE ACTIONIT’S TIME FOR A CHANGE WV !Public service should be about the people—not personal or political gain.West Virginians deserve leaders who put the state first, every time.

— Tom Willis' campaign website (May 5, 2026)Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Lieutenant Colonel Green Beret Veteran, WV Business Owner & Partner in Law Firm, Family Man Married with Three Children, Leader in Our Church's Men's Large Group.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

EDUCATION: Leadership Matters. With Good Leadership, WV Can Become an Example of Success in the Nation in Education. As a Leader, I will Fight Diligently to Move WV Towards the Top Ten and Finally Shed our Last or Near-Last Ranking in Education that WV Has Held for the Past Sixty Years. WV Can Accomplish This by Empowering the Persons with the Best Ability to Make Wise Education Decisions for the Student - their Parents. Parents have a Sacred Authority Over Their Children. By Changing the Narrative to Reflect this Reality and Empower Parents, by Reducing the Administrative Burden on Teachers, and by Fostering a Culture of Excellence, WV Can and Will Lead in Education.BUSINESS CLIMATE: With Good Leadership, Which I Will Bring, WV Can Become an Elite State with Regards to Creating a Leading Business Climate for Internal, Persistent Job Creation. We Accomplish this Through 1) Lower Taxation of Businesses, 2) Cut Regulatory Red Tape and Any Governmental Interaction with Businesses to be the Least Intrusive Possible, and 3) Ensure Secure, Transparent, Protected Private Property Rights in WV. The Economic Prosperity and Jobs These Proven Steps Create will Give Our Kids a Reason to Stay in WV.LEADERS WITH CHARACTER: WV Deserves Leaders with Proven Character Who Lead with Integrity, Who are Present in the Local Community, and Who Represent the Interests of Citizens not Lobbyists and Special Interests. I Will Represent WV and Lead to Best of My Ability as a Person of Honor and Integrity.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

1) Prosperous Business Climate to Create Jobs; 2) Strong Education System to Create Knowledgeable, Adaptable, & Problem Solving Graduates, 3) Excellent Infrastructure to Support WV Residents, 4) Reduce the Size and Power of Government to Preserve WV Values and Our Personal Freedoms.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

My Father. His Hard Work Over Many Years to Bless His Family.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

US Constitution. Wealth of Nations (book). Unplanned (movie). History of the Roman Empire. The Bible

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Integrity. Character. Skill and Ability. Correct Worldview That is Consistent with Wisdom and Reality as Reality is and not How Some Would Like it to be (for example, socialism sounds good on paper, but produces horrible pain in real life).

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

Proven Character and Leadership

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

To Steward the Position to Best Serve the People of WV by Making Decisions for the Common Good (and not Special Interests) and Wisely Stewarding State Resources and Monies.

What legacy would you like to leave?

A Man Who Served Christ Wherever Called, a Faithful and Loving Family Man, a Man Who Helped Others Selflessly.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

High Inflation of the Late 1970's Under President Carter.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Maintenance Worker at a Fitness Center.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Bible. It Holds the Keys to Life.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

A Jedi Knight

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Country Roads - WV

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Losing Both my First Wife and my Oldest Son to Cancer and Keeping the Rest of Our Family Going During and After They Passed.

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

To Reverse the Tide of Young Residents Leaving the State by Creating Opportunity and Prosperity in WV

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

Military Experience and Business Experience are Key Factors in a Legislator's Background

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

Yes, Our System Requires Teamwork to Accomplish Goals for the Common Good.

Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

Ronald Reagan

Both sitting legislators and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

Stories of How the Education System Has Failed Our WV Students and Infringes on Parent's Rights, Especially with Regards to Medical Decisions.

Tell us your favorite joke.

Any Dad Joke That is so Terrible It's Good.

Should the legislature oversee or grant the use of emergency powers?

Oversee.

What is the first bill you would introduce if elected?

Business Friendliness Bill to Create the Conditions for WV Homegrown Businesses to Succeed with Lower Taxation, Less Red Tape and Regulatory Interference, and Protected Property Rights for All West Virginians.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

WV 2nd Amendment Coalition. Vets4VetLeadership PAC. Vets4Coal PAC. Oil and Gas Workers Association.

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

The Government Serves the People and Therefore Should be Completely Transparent with Government Funds.

What would be your top three priorities, if elected?

1) Good Jobs and Strong Economy

2) Strong National Defence

3) Secure Border[4][5]

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? Why?

GOOD JOBS: Creating an environment where Government policies do not hinder our economy is my #1 priority. ▪A strong economy is vital to good jobs for quality of life for us all ▪A strong economy is vital to national security. Champion our 1st and 2d Amendment rights – Freedom of Religion and Right to Bear Arms. Small, smart government with simple systems that support job creation and new businesses and not fight against it, WV Family values, including protecting our littlest Americans Strong Defense – our military deserves our support 100%. Strong Justice System – we must support our law enforcement officers.Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; invalid names, e.g. too many[5]

[the profile publisher] also asked the candidate a series of optional questions. Tom Willis answered the following:

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I’ve served WV and our Nation for 18 years in the military arena, now I feel called to continue to serve in the political arena. I’m not satisfied with where WV stands in the rankings, and I’m not satisfied with the career politicians in Washington. I know my fellow West Virginians aren’t either. WV and our Nation can move to a brighter future for us and our children, but it will take principled leadership. As a Special Forces Green Beret and WV Business Owner, I know I can lead, and I’m ready and able to answer the call of duty to lead WV and our Nation in the US Senate to a better future. It’s time West Virginia elected a non-politician who can beat Joe Manchin and help President Trump drain the swamp in Washington.[5]

On March 2, 2018, Willis submitted a second response to [the profile publisher]'s survey that included the following answer to the question What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? Why?

Veterans - As an 18-year member of the West Virginia National Guard, I know first hand how our veterans and their families have made unimaginable sacrifices for our State and Country. We must live up to our promises made to them. I will ensure the quality of health care provided to our veterans is equal to the courage and valor they delivered to our Nation. Services available to our veterans as they transition from military to civilian life must be robust and available nationwide. Promises made to our veterans must be promises kept.

Pro-Life – Life is sacred. I am 100% pro-life and believe we should do everything we can to protect the unborn.

Pro-2nd Amendment - The Second Amendment is an inviolate fundamental right of every American that I will defend. We must protect our right to bear arms by enforcing laws currently on the books and promoting safe and responsible gun ownership.

Opioid Crisis - This is an economic and national security problem and we should be approaching it accordingly. West Virginia has one of the worst opioid drug addiction problems in the Country but hasn’t seen federal funding to match the problem. We need to be open to giving people second chances, including alternative sentencing, and be open to working in cooperation with faith based recovery programs that statistically reduce recidivism rates. We must address the hopelessness at the root of the problem and deal with it with compassion.

Defend the Constitution - I am a Constitutionalist. Our Founding Fathers were prescient in understanding there is an appropriate role for government, but one that preserves our individual freedoms and has limits. We have seen an overreach in DC by policies, mandates and regulations that erode our freedoms. As a nation that lives by the rule of law, our Judicial system is the ultimate arbiter, and I will vote for judges that will apply a strict interpretation of the Constitution. Preserving the separation of powers of the Federal Government and curbing Federal encroachment into rights reserved for the States, will be my cornerstones from the first day I enter office.

Border Security – My wife is an immigrant (from Macedonia), and so I understand how LEGAL IMMIGRATION works. It is not easy, nor should it be. America is a very special place, and we need to protect it for future generations and those coming here LEGALLY. I support a system of physical infrastructure, technology and personnel enhancements to secure the Southern and Northern borders. This includes more immigration judges to quickly process and return those trying to enter our Nation illegally. We must close illegal entry points and stop the flow of drug traffickers, criminals and terrorists into our country.

Balanced Budget – We in WV have to balance our family checkbooks. We have a right to expect that our US Congress should balance our National checkbook. I support a balanced budget amendment in Washington. Our government must spend within its means, just like my family and other regular West Virginian families.

Education - No one knows better how to teach our kids than parents and local school districts. We shouldn’t be teaching to national tests or allow Federal mandates regarding school curriculum content, which violates the 10th Amendment.

Infrastructure - We have an aging physical infrastructure. Bridges, roads, waterways, and dams have been neglected and fallen into disrepair due to undisciplined spending in Washington. I will look for ways to cut waste and redirect strategic resources into repair and construction of new highways and bridges. Further, I will focus on high technology improvement projects, particularly in the area of broad-band communication, especially to rural areas. It is time stop wastefulness and give America an infrastructure to keep us ahead of the competition on the world stage.

Trade - I support free, but fair trade. A starting point would be the conscious adoption of a policy of long-term trade balance for the United States.

Immigration – We are a nation of immigrants, including my wife Sara who is from Macedonia. We welcome those immigrants who come here legally, and we want to make sure they have the same opportunity for the American dream that made this Country great. On the other hand, we must disincentivize and end illegal immigration.[5]

—Tom Willis (2018)[6]

Political philosophy

Willis stated the following about his political philosophy in a biographical submission to [the profile publisher]:[7]

Tom Willis is a conservative Republican who is a first time candidate running for United States Senate to help President Trump drain the swamp in Washington.[5]