Who's In the Race

Rep. Ben Cline (R-VA) faces Democrat Beth Macy, a bestselling author and former Roanoke newspaper reporter, in Virginia's 6th Congressional District on Nov. 3. Both candidates support a temporary pause on data center development, WVTF reported Oct. 8. ​

Cline has represented the district since 2019. He served in Virginia's House of Delegates from 2002 to 2018 and previously worked as a lawyer and assistant commonwealth's attorney. Macy spent 25 years at *The Roanoke Times* and wrote "Dopesick," about the opioid crisis. She has never held elected office. Cline ran unopposed in the Aug. 4 Republican primary.

What They Stand For

Macy supports codifying Roe v. Wade and protecting abortion, contraception, abortion medication and IVF, according to WMRA. She favors a data center moratorium pending safeguards for land, water, energy costs and AI impacts. Calling health care "a basic right," she supports restoring Affordable Care Act tax credits, reversing Medicaid cuts and limiting private-equity hospital ownership. She opposes the Dominion-NextEra merger, arguing it would raise rates and benefit "Big Tech." She also supports congressional oversight of presidential power, congressional authority over tariffs and spending, and banning stock trading by elected officials.

Cline calls himself "a champion of pro-life legislation," according to VPM. He advocates cutting federal waste, fighting fraud, and reducing business regulations. His campaign website says, "it's your money, not the government's money." He supports requiring data centers to fund necessary energy infrastructure, calling the Ratepayer Protection Bill an "important first step," Cardinal News reported.

The Money Behind the Race

FEC filings through July 15 show Macy raised $1.69 million and had $847,470 cash on hand. Cline raised $1.44 million, with $711,442 remaining. Reported outside spending totaled approximately $6,816 as of Oct. 8, all supporting Cline through the Freedom Caucus Fund.

Race Outlook: Ratings and Betting Markets

The Cook Political Report rated the race "Solid Republican" as of Sept. 25, Sabato's Crystal Ball assigned the same rating Sept. 29, and Inside Elections did so Oct. 2. On Kalshi, Republican contracts implied a 91.1% probability and Democratic contracts 8.9% as of Oct. 8.

Cline received approximately 64% in 2022 and 63% in 2024. Democrats won six Virginia House seats and Republicans five in both elections. Kamala Harris carried Virginia with approximately 52% in 2024. Virginia's regular registration and mail-ballot request deadline is Oct. 23, with in-person same-day registration and provisional voting available afterward. Early voting runs Sept. 18-Oct. 31. Polls are open 6 a.m.-7 p.m. Nov. 3.

---

AllCiv makes it easy to stay politically informed and involved.

---

Spot something wrong? Report an issue with this article