By Haley Stoltz
U.S. Rep. Ben Cline says he wants to continue to fight for conservative beliefs centered around limited government in his upcoming fifth term in office. But he’ll face a tougher environment with Congress now controlled by Democrats.
Cline, the Republican incumbent, held off a challenge from longtime journalist Beth Macy on Tuesday night in the 6th district congressional race.
“It is common sense conservative values that have won the day today,” he told supporters after his victory. “Making sure we keep taxes low, making sure we keep regulations low so that small businesses can thrive here in the Shenandoah Valley.”
Cline, who has represented the 6th district since 2018, earned 175,802 votes, with all precincts reporting. Macy, a Democrat who worked for the Roanoke Times for more than 20 years, got 140,223 votes.
This race was more competitive than recent 6th district campaigns. In 2024, Cline defeated Ken Mitchell by about 115,000 votes, according to Virginia Department of Elections results. In 2022, he beat Jennifer Lewis by about 77,000 votes. He bested Nicholas Betts by about 111,000 votes in 2020.
Macy sought to reverse many of President Donald Trump’s policies, including his tariffs. She advocated moving toward “Medicare for all,” and ending the war in Iran.
Cline’s victory came as Democrats rode a wave of anti-Trump sentiment to victories across the country, taking control of the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Cline campaigned on reducing the high cost of consumer goods, lowering taxes, and cutting back on government regulations.
He touted his plans to improve the economy in the 6th district, as well as to advance key infrastructure projects, saying those issues resonated most with voters.
“Jobs and the economy are key, making sure that we widen (Interstate) 81,” he said in a post-election interview. “I know people are sick of the construction in the third lanes, but those third lanes are going to bring businesses, bring jobs, and help the economy of the Shenandoah Valley thrive.”
He gathered with supporters in Fishersville on Tuesday night, telling the crowd he would fight to represent them – even if Democrats took control of the House.
“The votes of the people of the Shenandoah Valley cannot be bought,” he said. “They are solid conservatives that are going to stand up for solid conservative values each and every day.”
Macy stayed close to home, gathering with supporters at The Exchange Music Hall in downtown Roanoke. During her remarks, she celebrated the Democratic victories across the country, and the progress she made in the district.
“We passed amendments to help protect reproductive health care, gay marriage, and former felons who paid their debts to society,” she said with her arms in the air.
Despite her loss, she sought to look at her party’s bigger gains.
“Across the country, a big, beautiful blue washing across the land,” she told supporters. “And it might end up looking like more of a tsunami.”
Cline has said this campaign was similar to others in all aspects except for fundraising, an area where Macy raised substantially more money than he did.
Virginia’s 6th district has historically leaned heavily Republican. In her successful gubernatorial bid, Democratic Gov. Abigail Spanberger lost the district by 16 points.