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R Republican · Incumbent · U.S. House 6, Virginia · Nov 3, 2026

Ben
L. Cline

Republican incumbent Ben Cline seeks re-election to Virginia's 6th Congressional District seat he has held since 2019.

Researched checked 6 d ago
sources
21
positions
12
endorsements
11
bencline.com ↗(opens in a new tab) X(opens in a new tab)YouTube(opens in a new tab)Facebook(opens in a new tab)Instagram(opens in a new tab)
Opponent Beth A. Macy D Compare race →

Background

Ben L. Cline is the Republican U.S. Representative for Virginia's 6th Congressional District, having served in that role since 2019. He grew up in Rockbridge County in the Shenandoah Valley, attended Lexington High School (class of 1990), earned a bachelor's degree from Bates College, and received his law degree from the University of Richmond. 1

Before his election to Congress, Cline joined the staff of Representative Bob Goodlatte in 1994 and later served as his chief of staff. He also worked as an assistant commonwealth's attorney for Rockingham County and Harrisonburg from 2007 to 2013, and practiced law privately. 1

Cline served in the Virginia House of Delegates, District 24, from 2002 to 2018, where he chaired the House Committee on Militia, Police, and Public Safety. He was first elected to the U.S. House in 2018 and is seeking re-election in Virginia's 6th Congressional District in the November 3, 2026 general election. 12

His Democratic opponent in the 2026 race is Beth Macy. 616

At a glance

Party
Republican · Incumbent
Running for
U.S. House · District 6, Virginia
Election
Nov 3, 2026
Current office
U.S. Representative for Virginia's 6th Congressional District
Website
bencline.com(opens in a new tab)

Where they stand

Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.

Timeline

  1. Oct 11
    news
    Cline appears on WDBJ7 'At Issue,' emphasizes reducing spending and regulations

    In a one-on-one candidate profile on WDBJ7's 'At Issue,' Cline emphasized reducing federal spending and regulations, said he wants to keep fighting for the people of the district, and criticized what he called 'crazy alternatives from New York or California' dictating to people how they live and raise their families.

    At Issue: Oct. 11 focuses on affordability, Rep. Ben Cline candidate profile · Oct 11, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  2. Oct 11
    poll
    Race ratings: Cook Political Report and Sabato's Crystal Ball rate VA-06 'solidly Republican'

    A Roanoke Times report noted that VA-06's history strongly favors Cline, with Cook Political Report and Sabato's Crystal Ball rating the district solidly Republican, even as Macy picks up national attention and DCCC support.

    State of the race: 6th District's history strongly favors Cline as Macy picks up national steam · Oct 11, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  3. Oct 7
    debate
    Report highlights fewer debates in Virginia races, including Cline's refusal to attend October 14 forum

    The Daily Signal reported on a trend of fewer debates in Virginia congressional races. The article noted that Cline's team said he was booked at a fundraiser on October 14 and did not plan to attend the Mountain Gateway community conversation that Macy committed to.

    Fewer-Debates-in-Virginia-Races-This-Year · Oct 7, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  4. Oct 2
    news
    DCCC adds VA-06 to 'Districts in Play' list, pledging staffing and GOTV support for Macy

    The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee added VA-06 to its 'Districts in Play' list, providing Macy with staffing and get-out-the-vote support. Cline campaign adviser Tim Murtaugh called the move an attempt to 'manufacture enthusiasm.' Cook Political Report and Sabato's Crystal Ball continued to rate the district 'solidly Republican.' Cline won reelection in 2024 by more than 28 percentage points.

    DCCC Adds VA-06 To Districts In Play As Democrats ... · Oct 2, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  5. Oct 1
    news
    Cline states opposition to new data centers until federal, state, and local safeguards are in place

    In an email to Cardinal News, Cline said he opposes construction of more data centers until sufficient guardrails can be constructed at the federal, state, and local levels to ensure transparency and protect residents' electric bills and water supplies. Cardinal News reported that Macy also supported a moratorium or pause, though the candidates' described protections differed.

    Cline and Macy appear aligned on one issue in the 6th District race: the need for a data center moratorium · Oct 1, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  6. Sep 28
    poll
    Cline-campaign poll shows Cline leading Macy 59% to 29%

    A poll sponsored by Cline's campaign and reported by the Daily News-Record surveyed 791 likely general-election voters and showed Cline at 59%, Macy at 29%, and 12% undecided. The poll was used by Cline's campaign adviser to counter the DCCC's 'in play' designation; the pollster and full methodology were not provided.

    UPDATED: National Democrats target Virginia's Sixth ... · Oct 2, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  7. Sep 25
    debate
    Macy commits to Mountain Gateway forum; Cline's participation remains uncertain

    Macy said she planned to attend a community conversation hosted by Mountain Gateway Community College and the Alleghany Highland Chamber of Commerce on October 14. Cline's team said he was booked at a fundraiser that day and did not plan to attend.

    Beth Macy commits to Mountain Gateway forum: What about Ben Cline? · Sep 25, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  8. Sep 21
    news
    FEC fundraising data shows Cline with $1.44M raised and $711K cash on hand through July 15

    Reporting on donor portfolios noted FEC-reported figures through July 15 showing Cline with $1,441,436 raised, $1,058,317 spent, and $711,442 cash on hand, compared to approximately $1.7 million raised by Macy.

    Drastically different donor portfolios funding 6th District ... · Sep 21, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  9. Sep 21
    news
    Cline and Macy respond to candidate survey on key district issues

    VPM News published a 6th District Q&A in which both Ben Cline and Beth Macy answered questions on issues facing voters in the district.

    6th District Q&A: Ben Cline, Beth Macy - VPM News · Sep 21, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  10. Sep 18
    news
    Virginia early voting begins for the November 3 general election

    Virginia early voting opened on September 18 ahead of the November 3 Election Day, in which Cline faces Democratic challenger Beth Macy in VA-06.

    National Democrats say Virginia's 6th District is now 'in ... · Oct 2, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  11. Sep 16
    debate
    Harrisonburg Rotary Club cancels planned October 5 forum with Cline and Macy

    The Harrisonburg Rotary Club canceled its planned October 5 congressional candidate forum. The club said the decision was its own, made to preserve its nonpartisan role, and was not because either candidate was unwilling to participate.

    Harrisonburg Rotary Club cancels congressional candidate forum with Cline, Macy · Sep 16, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  12. Sep 10
    debate
    Cline campaign schedules second candidate forum in Salem without consulting Macy

    Cline's campaign scheduled a candidate event in Salem. Macy's campaign again said the schedule was set without consulting her and that she was already booked on that date.

    Fewer-Debates-in-Virginia-Races-This-Year · Oct 7, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  13. Sep 3
    debate
    Cline campaign schedules candidate forum in Frederick County without consulting Macy

    Cline's campaign scheduled a candidate event in Frederick County. Macy's campaign said the schedule was set without consulting her and that she was already booked on that date; the two campaigns disputed whether the events should be described as debates.

    Fewer-Debates-in-Virginia-Races-This-Year · Oct 7, 2026 (opens in a new tab)

Endorsements

  • For America organization
    Reported by the Daily News-Record (September 9, 2026 article); no endorsement date given dnronline.com
  • Claudia Tenney official
    U.S. Representative (R-NY); listed on Cline's campaign endorsement page landing.bencline.com
  • Dale Strong official
    U.S. Representative (R-AL); listed on Cline's campaign endorsement page landing.bencline.com
  • Mike Lee official
    U.S. Senator (R-UT); listed on Cline's campaign endorsement page landing.bencline.com
  • Guy Reschenthaler official
    U.S. Representative (R-PA); listed on Cline's campaign endorsement page landing.bencline.com
  • Nick Freitas official
    Former Virginia state delegate; listed on Cline's campaign endorsement page landing.bencline.com
  • Ann Wagner official
    U.S. Representative (R-MO); listed on Cline's campaign endorsement page landing.bencline.com
  • Michael Guest official
    U.S. Representative (R-MS); listed on Cline's campaign endorsement page landing.bencline.com
  • William Timmons official
    U.S. Representative (R-SC); listed on Cline's campaign endorsement page landing.bencline.com
  • National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund (NRA-PVF) organization
    Reported by the Daily News-Record on September 15, 2026 dnronline.com · Sep 15, 2026
  • National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) organization
    NFIB FedPAC endorsed Cline and other Virginia House incumbents for reelection nfib.com · Sep 8, 2026

Campaign finance

Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.

Raised
$1.44M
Spent
$1.06M
Cash on hand
$711K

As of Jul 15, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record H8VA06104(opens in a new tab)

Sources 21

  1. [1] At Issue: Oct. 11 focuses on affordability, Rep. Ben Cline candidate profile(opens in a new tab) Oct 11, 2026
  2. [2] State of the race: 6th District's history strongly favors Cline as Macy picks up national steam(opens in a new tab) Oct 11, 2026
  3. [3] Fewer-Debates-in-Virginia-Races-This-Year(opens in a new tab) Oct 7, 2026
  4. [4] DCCC Adds VA-06 To Districts In Play As Democrats ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 2, 2026
  5. [5] National Democrats say Virginia's 6th District is now 'in ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 2, 2026
  6. [6] UPDATED: National Democrats target Virginia's Sixth ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 2, 2026
  7. [7] Cline and Macy appear aligned on one issue in the 6th District race: the need for a data center moratorium(opens in a new tab) Oct 1, 2026
  8. [8] Elections(opens in a new tab) Oct 1, 2026
  9. [9] Beth Macy commits to Mountain Gateway forum: What about Ben Cline?(opens in a new tab) Sep 25, 2026
  10. [10] 6th District Q&A: Ben Cline, Beth Macy - VPM News(opens in a new tab) Sep 21, 2026
  11. [11] Drastically different donor portfolios funding 6th District ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 21, 2026
  12. [12] Rep. Ben Cline Q&A, 6th Congressional District(opens in a new tab) Sep 18, 2026
  13. [13] Harrisonburg Rotary Club cancels congressional candidate forum with Cline, Macy(opens in a new tab) Sep 16, 2026
  14. [14] Ben Cline and Beth Macy make their case to voters in new ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 9, 2026
  15. [15] NFIB Endorses Pro-Small Business Candidates in Virginia for Reelection to Congress(opens in a new tab) Sep 8, 2026
  16. [16] Ben Cline for Congress(opens in a new tab) May 10, 2026
  17. [17] Rep. Cline Introduces Bill to Reverse Governor Spanberger's ...(opens in a new tab) Mar 25, 2026
  18. [18] Sixth District Perspectives with Congressman Ben Cline - House.gov(opens in a new tab) Jan 23, 2026
  19. [19] Sixth District Perspectives with Congressman Ben Cline(opens in a new tab) Jan 11, 2026
  20. [20] Rep. Cline Secures Over $188 Million for Rural Health Care ...(opens in a new tab) Jan 7, 2026
  21. [21] Sixth District Perspectives with Congressman Ben Cline(opens in a new tab) Dec 30, 2025
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