Ace
Parsi
Ace Parsi is the 2026 Democratic nominee challenging Rep. Riley Moore in West Virginia's 2nd Congressional District.
- sources
- 10
- positions
- 12
- endorsements
- 9
Background
Ace Parsi is the 2026 Democratic nominee for West Virginia's 2nd Congressional District, challenging incumbent Republican Rep. Riley Moore in the November 3 general election. Born in Iran, he immigrated to the United States as a child and settled in Morgantown, West Virginia, his wife's hometown. 152
Parsi graduated from Penn State in 2005 with degrees in political science and economics and later earned a master's degree in public policy from the University of California, Berkeley's Goldman School of Public Policy. 93 He began his career as an AmeriCorps volunteer teaching in a low-income school and subsequently held education-policy, research, and school-based roles at organizations including the National Center for Learning Disabilities, the National Association of State Boards of Education, and the National Service-Learning Partnership. 1353
From 2020 until January 2026, Parsi served as director of coalition engagement at iCivics, a civics-education nonprofit. He departed that role to pursue the congressional campaign and has no prior elected offices on record. 16213
At a glance
- Party
- Democratic
- Running for
- U.S. House · District 2, West Virginia
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
- Current office
- Democratic nominee for U.S. House, West Virginia's 2nd Congressional District
- Website
- aceparsi.com(opens in a new tab)
Where they stand
Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.
Timeline
- Oct 6newsParsi makes campaign stop in Cameron, focuses on small-town representation and dam safety
During a stop in Cameron, Parsi raised concerns about dam safety, evacuation planning, transparency, and who would pay for repairs, framing the visit around public accountability for small-town communities.
Democratic Representative stopped by Cameron Monday · Oct 6, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 2newsParsi and Moore outlined differing approaches to data-center legislation
Reporting noted that Parsi's proposal called for a two-year pause on new large data centers, while Moore supported a different approach, highlighting a key policy contrast in the race.
Candidates for WV's 2nd congressional district seat support different legislation for data centers · Oct 2, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 25newsParsi unveils the 'Neighbors, Not Servers Act' as first bill he would introduce if elected
Parsi announced the proposed legislation, which would impose a two-year pause on new data centers using at least 20 megawatts of power, commission studies of their effects, restrict NDAs involving developers and public officials, and allow local communities to seek a referendum on proposed projects.
Parsi unveils data center bill ahead of WV's 2nd District race · Sep 25, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 17debateMoore and Parsi agree to live debate on WRNR Radio and Television, scheduled for October 14
The two candidates agreed to a live debate on WRNR Radio and Television. Parsi said he had sought debates in four regions of the district and continued to push for three additional events beyond the one agreed upon.
West Virginia congressional candidates Moore, Parsi to debate next month · Sep 17, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Jun 30newsFEC filings show Parsi raised ~$134K vs. Moore's ~$1.3M through June 30
Campaign finance filings through June 30 show Parsi raised approximately $134,000, spent about $91,000, and had roughly $44,000 cash on hand, compared to Moore's approximately $1.3 million raised and $751,000 cash on hand.
WV-02: Moore >99 in 100 — Call the Map · Sep 12, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - May 12filingAce Parsi wins Democratic primary nomination for WV's 2nd Congressional District
Parsi won the Democratic nomination in the May 12 primary, setting up a general-election contest against Republican incumbent Riley Moore on the November 3 ballot.
West Virginia congressional candidates Moore, Parsi to debate next month · Sep 17, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Endorsements
- Bob Wise officialFormer West Virginia governor; campaign site quotes him saying Parsi 'will bring the commitment, accessibility, and values that make a strong representative.' No date stated. aceforcongress.com
- New American Leaders Action Fund organizationListed Parsi on its 2026 endorsed-candidates page; no endorsement date stated. nalaf.org
- Cathy Kunkel other2020 Democratic nominee for WV U.S. House District 2; quoted or named as endorsing Parsi on his campaign page. No date stated. aceforcongress.com
- Barry Wendell other2022 Democratic nominee for WV U.S. House District 2 and former Morgantown City Council member; quoted or named as endorsing Parsi on his campaign page. No date stated. aceforcongress.com
- Jon Bush officialRepublican nominee for Tucker County commissioner; endorsed Parsi per statement reproduced on campaign site. No date stated. aceforcongress.com
- Wendy Tuck officialIdentified by the campaign as a member of Parkersburg City Council. No date stated. aceforcongress.com
- WV Can't Wait organizationGrassroots organization; campaign says it endorsed Parsi. No date stated. aceforcongress.com
- Natalie Cline other2020 Democratic nominee for WV U.S. House District 1; quoted or named as endorsing Parsi on his campaign page. No date stated. aceforcongress.com
- Kendra Fershee other2018 Democratic nominee for WV U.S. House District 1; quoted or named as endorsing Parsi on his campaign page. No date stated. aceforcongress.com
Campaign finance
Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.
- Raised
- $250K
- Spent
- $135K
- Cash on hand
- $115K
As of Sep 30, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record H6WV02150(opens in a new tab)
Sources 10
- [1] 2026 Endorsed Candidates — New American Leaders Action Fund(opens in a new tab) Oct 11, 2026
- [2] Democratic Representative stopped by Cameron Monday(opens in a new tab) Oct 6, 2026
- [3] Ace's Platform(opens in a new tab) Oct 3, 2026
- [4] Endorsement(opens in a new tab) Oct 3, 2026
- [5] Candidates for WV's 2nd congressional district seat support different legislation for data centers(opens in a new tab) Oct 2, 2026
- [6] Parsi unveils data center bill ahead of WV's 2nd District race(opens in a new tab) Sep 25, 2026
- [7] West Virginia congressional candidates Moore, Parsi to debate next month(opens in a new tab) Sep 17, 2026
- [8] WV-02: Moore >99 in 100 — Call the Map(opens in a new tab) Sep 12, 2026
- [9] A Personal Perspective On The War In Iran - West Virginia Public ...(opens in a new tab) Apr 15, 2026
- [10] International Woman's Day ~ March 8, 2026 A Father's Promise(opens in a new tab) Mar 14, 2026