Beth
A. Macy
Journalist and *Dopesick* author Beth Macy is the Democratic challenger in Virginia's 6th Congressional District (2026).
- sources
- 20
- positions
- 10
- endorsements
- 19
Background
Beth A. Macy is a journalist and author based in Roanoke, Virginia, who is running as the Democratic challenger in Virginia's 6th Congressional District in the November 3, 2026 general election. She spent 25 years as a reporter at The Roanoke Times and holds a B.S. in journalism from Bowling Green State University and an M.A. in English/creative writing from Hollins University. She was also a 2010 Nieman Fellow at Harvard and a 2024 Guggenheim Fellow for Nonfiction. 1357
Macy is the author of several nonfiction books, including Factory Man, Truevine, Dopesick, Raising Lazarus, and Paper Girl. She is a native of Urbana, Ohio. In a 2026 candidate questionnaire, she stated she has never held elected or appointed political office. 3515
Macy's campaign focuses on working-class issues, healthcare costs, and economic concerns facing families in the 6th District. She faces incumbent Republican Rep. Ben Cline in the general election. 3513
Her candidacy is registered with the Federal Election Commission as a Democratic challenger for Virginia's 6th Congressional District. 7
At a glance
- Party
- Democratic
- Running for
- U.S. House · District 6, Virginia
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
- Current office
- Journalist and author; Democratic candidate for Virginia's 6th Congressional District
- Website
- bethmacyforcongress.com(opens in a new tab)
Where they stand
Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.
Timeline
- Oct 8newsMacy tells Daily Signal she raised more than $1 million in the recent quarter
In an interview with The Daily Signal, Macy said she had raised more than $1 million in the recent quarter and described holding town halls with farmers and veterans, saying she needed 'to reach the middle.'
Macy-Talks-Top-Issues-In-Exclusive-Interview · Oct 8, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 5debatePlanned Harrisonburg forum canceled; Macy-Cline debate remains elusive
A Rotary Club canceled a planned Oct. 5 forum citing concern about its nonpartisan role. Macy had challenged Cline to three debates; earlier proposed dates were disputed. No debate between the candidates was confirmed as having taken place. Macy planned to attend a community conversation in Clifton Forge on Oct. 14; Cline said he had a conflicting fundraiser.
Fewer-Debates-in-Virginia-Races-This-Year · Oct 7, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 4newsWDBJ7 airs candidate profile on Macy
WDBJ7 aired a candidate profile on Beth Macy as part of its 'At Issue' segment, covering her race in Virginia's 6th Congressional District.
At Issue: Oct. 4 focuses on voting rights amendment, Beth ... · Oct 4, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 2newsDCCC adds Virginia's 6th District to its 'Districts in Play' list
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee designated Virginia's 6th District as 'in play,' saying it would provide some support. The Daily News-Record cautioned this did not necessarily mean financial support. Macy said she was grateful for the backing.
National Democrats say Virginia's 6th District is now 'in ... · Oct 2, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 2pollCline campaign poll shows Cline at 59%, Macy at 29% among likely voters
A poll sponsored by Cline's campaign of 791 likely voters showed Cline at 59% and Macy at 29%, with 12% undecided. No margin of error or full methodology was provided. The result is from a campaign-sponsored poll, not an independent survey.
UPDATED: National Democrats target Virginia's Sixth ... · Oct 2, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 1newsMacy and Cline both support data-center moratorium, though differ on other issues
Cardinal News reported that both Macy and incumbent Rep. Ben Cline appeared aligned in supporting a pause on new data-center projects, though the candidates differ on other issues in the race.
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) - Sep 28endorsementSen. Tim Kaine endorses Macy and joins her at Lexington campaign rally
Sen. Tim Kaine joined Macy at a campaign rally at the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington and was reported by WSET to have endorsed her candidacy.
Congressional candidate Beth Macy meets with ... · Sep 28, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 21newsMacy out-raises Cline with nearly $1.7 million reported in FEC data
WMRA reported FEC data showing Macy had raised nearly $1.7 million compared with Cline's about $1.4 million. Macy's totals included about $445,000 from small donors and roughly $39,000 in committee contributions. She had pledged not to take corporate PAC money.
Drastically different donor portfolios funding 6th District ... · Sep 21, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 18newsWMRA publishes Q&A with Macy on key district issues
WMRA published a candidate questionnaire with Macy, the Democratic nominee for Virginia's 6th District, covering topics including abortion, affordability, AI, and data centers.
Beth Macy Q&A, 6th Congressional District - WMRA · Sep 18, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 16newsStatewide voter guide publishes Macy's platform positions
WMRA's statewide voter guide reported Macy's answers on abortion, affordability, AI, and data centers as part of a congressional candidates' platform guide.
Find your congressional candidates' platforms in this statewide voter guide · Sep 16, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 16endorsementRoanoke Rambler profiles Macy, reports endorsements from Gov. Spanberger and local officials
A Roanoke Rambler profile noted endorsements for Macy from Gov. Abigail Spanberger, former Roanoke Mayor Sherman Lea Sr., and Mayor Joe Cobb, among others. Specific dates for individual endorsements were not provided.
The Reporter who Wrote about the Opioid Crisis is now Running ... · Sep 16, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 13newsMacy pledges to back congressional moratorium on new data-center projects
Macy said she would work toward a moratorium on new data-center projects until safeguards are established, calling for clear rules to protect water, keep energy prices in check, require companies to pay for renewable energy, and address AI.
Beth Macy pledges to back congressional data center moratorium · Sep 13, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Endorsements
- League of Conservation Voters organizationListed on campaign endorsement page; no date provided bethmacyforcongress.com
- Abigail Spanberger officialListed as governor on campaign endorsement page (updated October 3, 2026) bethmacyforcongress.com
- Mary Sue Terry officialFormer Virginia Attorney General; listed on campaign endorsement page bethmacyforcongress.com
- Joe Cobb officialMayor of Roanoke; listed on campaign endorsement page bethmacyforcongress.com
- Deanna Reed officialMayor of Harrisonburg; listed on campaign endorsement page bethmacyforcongress.com
- Sherman Lea Sr. officialFormer Mayor of Roanoke; listed on campaign endorsement page bethmacyforcongress.com
- Antonio D. Hash officialRoanoke City Sheriff; listed on campaign endorsement page bethmacyforcongress.com
- National Organization for Women PAC (NOW PAC) organizationListed on campaign endorsement page and NOW PAC's 2026 federal endorsements page; no specific announcement date available nowpac.org
- National Security Leaders for America organizationListed on campaign endorsement page; no date provided bethmacyforcongress.com
- Tim Kaine officialU.S. Senator; listed on campaign endorsement page (updated October 3, 2026) bethmacyforcongress.com
- Mark Warner officialU.S. Senator; listed on campaign endorsement page (updated October 3, 2026) bethmacyforcongress.com
- Ro Khanna officialU.S. Representative for California's 17th District; listed on campaign endorsement page bethmacyforcongress.com
- Richard "Dick" Cranwell officialFormer House of Delegates Democratic Majority Leader; listed on campaign endorsement page bethmacyforcongress.com
- David Horton officialMayor of Radford; listed on campaign endorsement page bethmacyforcongress.com
- Catherine Read officialMayor of Fairfax; listed on campaign endorsement page bethmacyforcongress.com
- Anita James Price officialFormer city council member; listed on campaign endorsement page bethmacyforcongress.com
- End Citizens United organizationEndorsed as part of its Unrig Washington program, announced September 9, 2026 endcitizensunited.org · Sep 9, 2026
- EMILY's List organizationEndorsement announced August 27, 2026, as reported by the Daily News-Record dnronline.com · Aug 27, 2026
- Dave Kennedy otherFormer primary rival who withdrew from the Democratic contest and endorsed Macy; reported by Cardinal News on May 22, 2026 cardinalnews.org · May 22, 2026
Campaign finance
Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.
- Raised
- $1.69M
- Spent
- $839K
- Cash on hand
- $847K
As of Jul 15, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record H6VA06173(opens in a new tab)
Sources 20
- [1] Macy-Talks-Top-Issues-In-Exclusive-Interview(opens in a new tab) Oct 8, 2026
- [2] Fewer-Debates-in-Virginia-Races-This-Year(opens in a new tab) Oct 7, 2026
- [3] 2026 Federal Endorsements - NOW PAC(opens in a new tab) Oct 4, 2026
- [4] At Issue: Oct. 4 focuses on voting rights amendment, Beth ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 4, 2026
- [5] National Democrats say Virginia's 6th District is now 'in ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 2, 2026
- [6] UPDATED: National Democrats target Virginia's Sixth ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 2, 2026
- [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] Elections(opens in a new tab) Oct 1, 2026
- [9] Congressional candidate Beth Macy meets with ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 28, 2026
- [10] 6th District Q&A: Ben Cline, Beth Macy - VPM News(opens in a new tab) Sep 21, 2026
- [11] Drastically different donor portfolios funding 6th District ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 21, 2026
- [12] Beth Macy Q&A, 6th Congressional District(opens in a new tab) Sep 18, 2026
- [13] Beth Macy Q&A, 6th Congressional District - WMRA(opens in a new tab) Sep 18, 2026
- [14] Find your congressional candidates' platforms in this statewide voter guide(opens in a new tab) Sep 16, 2026
- [15] The Reporter who Wrote about the Opioid Crisis is now Running ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 16, 2026
- [16] Beth Macy pledges to back congressional data center moratorium(opens in a new tab) Sep 13, 2026
- [17] End Citizens United Endorses Beth Macy in Virginia's 6th ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 9, 2026
- [18] This Appalachian memoir author is running as a Democratic contrast to JD Vance(opens in a new tab) Aug 29, 2026
- [19] Last rival drops out; Macy will be 6th District Democratic nominee(opens in a new tab) May 22, 2026
- [20] Endorsements(opens in a new tab) Apr 14, 2026