West Virginia Rep. Shelley Moore Capito (R) announced at the State Capitol in Charleston this morning that she is running for Senate in 2014, ending years of speculation about her plans for her political future.

Her decision could pit her against five-term incumbent Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D), who has yet to say whether he is running for re-election. Capito, the daughter of former West Virginia Gov. Arch Moore (R), won a seventh term in the House earlier this month with almost 70 percent of the vote.

"I'm all in. I know it will be difficult, but I'm ready to do it," Capito told West Virginia MetroNews host Hoppy Kercheval in a radio interview immediately following her announcement. "I'm not afraid of a tough campaign. I've obviously had many."

Capito's move was not a total surprise. West Virginia political observers and leaders have long been expecting her to seek higher office -- and her announcement today coincides with her 59th birthday. But she has been reluctant to take on Democratic incumbents, and her decision to run this time suggests she believes Rockefeller, who will be 77 in 2014, won't seek re-election. Rockefeller was mum on the subject today.

"Congresswoman Capito called last week to let me know of her plans, and I appreciated that," the senator said in a statement. But he added that he is more focused on the ongoing budget talks than on 2014.

"Beyond that big question, everyone I talk to in West Virginia is tired of the nonstop campaigning," Rockefeller said. "West Virginians just want us to do our jobs, and for me that means focusing full-time on the serious issues at hand. Politics can wait."

Earlier this year, Rockefeller raised speculation about his political future when he took on the state's coal industry in a series of interviews and statements (E&E Daily, July 17). He accused companies of using scare tactics to resist technological advancement and efforts to combat climate change.

"Coal company operators deny that we need to do anything to address climate change despite the established scientific consensus and mounting national desire for a cleaner, healthier environment," he said in a Senate speech in June. Separately, he said, "I've just had it. I've had it."

Taking on his state's coal industry hurt Rockefeller early in his political career. Asked earlier this year whether he was concerned about the electoral repercussions of his recent statements, Rockefeller told Greenwire, "I am extremely worried about the future of West Virginia. And the only worry about that, except in private, is to go public."

West Virginia Republicans have used the debate over coal's future against Democrats like Sen. Joe Manchin and Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin without much success.

And Rockefeller has not given up on the industry even as many of its leaders are giving up on him. He is pushing for legislation to promote carbon capture and sequestration. He also questioned the Obama administration's coal mine oversight after Consol Energy Inc. announced layoffs in October.

But Rockefeller's critical comments about the industry's lobbying efforts, which shocked many executives for their bluntness, may give Capito an opening. And while Rockefeller has been a champion of efforts to protect miner safety, an issue important to labor advocates, Capito introduced her own bill last year meant to appease GOP skeptics.

"I think I have a different view on the energy resources in the state," Capito said, explaining her reasons for running. "I think I more properly reflect what people in West Virginia are thinking and feeling right now."

Roger Horton, a pro-coal advocate and head of a new group called Coal Miners for Capito, said, "While we thank Sen. Rockefeller for his service over his long career, we believe he has lost his way and no longer reflects the views of the people of this state."

West Virginia Democrats have had significant success in winning local races, especially in southern counties where coal mining is the dominant industry (Greenwire, Nov. 2). But they have run on unconditional support for the coal industry and keeping President Obama at arm's length. Capito's decision to run for Senate could make her House seat competitive in 2014, though it is not clear at this point which Republicans or Democrats would enter the House race.

Capito, who represents the central part of the state, including Charleston, is already going after Rockefeller for supporting one of the president's signature accomplishments, the health care reform law.

"I think having the government between you and your doctor, I think, is unacceptable to West Virginians," she said.

Capito will start the race with a healthy campaign war chest. She reported more than $1.4 million on hand as of Oct. 17. Rockefeller had $704,000 in his campaign account -- though he remains one of the richest members of Congress and could dip into personal funds if need be.

Republicans are already targeting Rockefeller as part of the "liberal elite," "out of touch" with West Virginia and supporting "radical environmentalists."

Former state GOP Chairman Mike Stuart told Kercheval about Rockefeller: "We salute his service over the years, but it's time to go."

Now that Capito has made her intentions known, the question is whether the state's most senior Democrat wants to stay. Democrats do not have an obvious successor waiting in the wings.

"Being West Virginia's U.S. Senator is a great honor, and I am proud and passionate about my continued service to our state," Rockefeller said in his statement. "I share a deep and lasting bond with the people of West Virginia, and I believe that the Democratic values I represent are as fundamental as ever to all that we hold dear."