U.S. House, Virginia 6th Congressional District · November 3, 2026
Who should I vote for in Virginia's 6th Congressional District?
Beth Macy has the strongest record in Virginia's 6th Congressional District. Beth Macy and Ben Cline each score 64 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, as of October 5, 2026; Beth Macy ranks first on the tiebreaker, the character score (58 to 50). Beth Macy's highest marks are roots in the constituency and accountability. Ben Cline's highest marks are relevant experience and roots in the constituency. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.
Republican · incumbent
Ben Cline
On the ballot as Ben L. Cline
64 / 100
Public evidence on 14 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 50
- Qualifications
- 80
- Performance
- 63
Democratic
Strongest record
Beth Macy
On the ballot as Beth A. Macy
64 / 100
Public evidence on 9 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 58
- Qualifications
- 65
- Performance
- 75
The good, the bad and the unresolved
The record
The notable facts of each candidate's public life, each tied to a source and confirmed to be this person. Unresolved matters are labeled with where they stand and do not move a score.
Ben Cline
- On the record2026-08-24 to 2026-10-05
Announced three service-club forums as accepted debates on Aug. 24, 2026, appeared at the Salem Rotary forum without his opponent, and had not answered the Clifton Forge organizer as of Sept. 25, 2026.
Sources: Cardinal News, Aug. 26, 2026, Virginia Scope, Aug. 26, 2026, WSLS, Sept. 10, 2026, WDBJ, Sept. 16, 2026, Daily News-Record, Sept. 25, 2026
- On the record2025-02-24 to 2025-09-25
Hundreds protested outside his Roanoke office on Feb. 24, 2025 seeking a town hall; he said he had held dozens; his Sept. 25, 2025 Lexington town hall was described by WVTF as rare.
Sources: Roanoke Times, Feb. 24, 2025, WDBJ, April 24, 2025, WVTF (WMRA report), Sept. 26, 2025, WSLS, Sept. 26, 2025, Office press release, Sept. 18, 2025
- On the record2021-01-06 to 2021-01-07
Announced on Jan. 5, 2021 that he would support objections to presidential electors, condemned the Jan. 6 storming of the Capitol, and voted Yea on the Arizona and Pennsylvania objections (Roll Calls 10 and 11).
Sources: Office press release, Jan. 5, 2021, House Clerk Roll Call 10, Jan. 6, 2021, House Clerk Roll Call 11, Jan. 7, 2021, Harrisonburg Citizen, Jan. 7, 2021
- On the record2021-05-05 and 2022-08-24
PolitiFact rated False his April 22, 2021 floor statement that the Green New Deal costs an average household almost $700,000, and Mostly False his Aug. 12, 2022 statement on the IRS workforce.
Sources: PolitiFact, May 5, 2021, PolitiFact, Aug. 24, 2022, PolitiFact, Ben Cline scorecard
- On the record2020-12-11
Was one of 126 House Republicans listed as amici on the Dec. 11, 2020 brief supporting Texas v. Pennsylvania, which sought to bar electors from four states; the Supreme Court declined to hear it.
Sources: U.S. Supreme Court docket No. 155, Original, amicus brief filed Dec. 11, 2020, Daily News-Record, Dec. 15, 2020
- Credit2023-01-27
Was appointed chair of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Responsiveness and Accountability to Oversight for the 118th Congress on Jan. 27, 2023.
Sources: Office press release, Jan. 27, 2023, Ballotpedia, Ben Cline, committee assignments
- Credit2023-05-31 to 2024-04-20
Voted against the Fiscal Responsibility Act (May 31, 2023), the Reforming Intelligence and Securing America Act (April 12, 2024) and the Ukraine Security Supplemental (April 20, 2024), each supported by the Republican Majority Leader.
Sources: House Clerk Roll Call 243, May 31, 2023, House Clerk Roll Call 119, April 12, 2024, House Clerk Roll Call 151, April 20, 2024
- Credit2019-08-23
His Small Business Reorganization Act of 2019 (H.R. 3311) was signed into law on Aug. 23, 2019; GovTrack lists it as one of two enacted bills he sponsored.
Sources: GovTrack, H.R. 3311 (116th Congress), GovTrack, enacted legislation, Office press release
- Credit2007 to 2013
Served as an assistant commonwealth's attorney for Rockingham County and the City of Harrisonburg from 2007 to 2013 while a delegate.
Sources: Office site, About, PolitiFact, Ben Cline
- Credit2002 to 2018
Served 16 years in the Virginia House of Delegates for the 24th District, where his office biography says he chaired the Committee on Militia, Police and Public Safety.
Sources: Ballotpedia, Ben Cline, Office site, About
Beth Macy
- On the record2026-05-22
Became the Democratic nominee without a primary after her last two rivals withdrew in May 2026.
Source: Cardinal News, May 22, 2026
- On the record2026-08-24 to 2026-09-25
Challenged Cline to three debates, called his announced forum schedule phony, did not attend the Sept. 3 and Sept. 10 forums he attended, and accepted an Oct. 14 Clifton Forge community conversation.
Sources: Cardinal News, Aug. 26, 2026, WSLS, Sept. 10, 2026, Daily News-Record, Sept. 25, 2026
- On the record2026-09-21
Has pledged not to accept corporate PAC contributions; WMRA reported her committee contributions came from the League of Conservation Voters and PACs tied to other Democrats.
Source: WMRA, Sept. 21, 2026
- On the record2025-11-19
Announced her candidacy for the 6th District on Nov. 19, 2025 in Roanoke; her campaign said it raised $350,000 in the first 24 hours.
- Credit2023
Was awarded a 2023 Guggenheim Fellowship in General Nonfiction.
Source: Guggenheim Foundation, Beth Macy
- Credit2021
The Hulu series Dopesick, adapted from her book, won a 2021 Peabody Award; she is credited as an executive producer and a writer.
Source: Peabody Awards, Dopesick
- Credit2019
Her 2018 book Dopesick won the Los Angeles Times Book Prize for Science and Technology.
Source: Guggenheim Foundation, Beth Macy
- Credit2013 to 2014
Her first book, Factory Man, received a J. Anthony Lukas Work-in-Progress Award, administered by Columbia and Harvard universities, before its 2014 publication.
Sources: Guggenheim Foundation, Beth Macy, Bowling Green State University, Sept. 2014
- Credit2010
Was a 2010 Nieman Fellow for Journalism at Harvard University.
Source: Guggenheim Foundation, Beth Macy
- Credit1989 to 2014
Worked about 25 years as a reporter for The Roanoke Times before leaving to write books.
Sources: Ballotpedia, Beth Macy, Roanoke Rambler, Sept. 16, 2026, Bowling Green State University, Sept. 2014
Who they are
Character
Integrity
Tells the truth, keeps their word, and takes no private gain from public office.
Ben Cline. Annual financial disclosure for 2025 is on file with the House Clerk, filed Aug. 7, 2026 under an extension. No periodic transaction reports are listed. No House Ethics Committee finding and no FEC administrative fine against his committee found.
Sources: House Clerk financial disclosure, Filing ID 10081459, House Committee on Ethics site search for Cline, FEC administrative fines search, Cline for Congress, PolitiFact, Ben Cline scorecard
Beth Macy. FEC campaign reports are on file covering Nov. 1, 2025 to July 15, 2026. No FEC administrative fine record found. A candidate financial disclosure was not located in the House Clerk search.
Sources: FEC candidate page, Macy, FEC administrative fines search, Beth Macy
Courage
Takes a stand that costs them something, including telling their own side no.
Ben Cline. Voted No on the Fiscal Responsibility Act (May 31, 2023) and the Reforming Intelligence and Securing America Act (April 12, 2024) and Nay on the Ukraine supplemental (April 20, 2024); the Republican Majority Leader voted Aye each time.
Sources: House Clerk Roll Call 243, May 31, 2023, House Clerk Roll Call 119, April 12, 2024, House Clerk Roll Call 151, April 20, 2024
Beth Macy. No public record found.
Accountability
Owns mistakes, answers hard questions, and works in the open.
Ben Cline. Appeared at the Sept. 10, 2026 Salem Rotary forum and the Sept. 7 Buena Vista Labor Fest. Held a Lexington town hall on Sept. 25, 2025 that WVTF called rare. The Clifton Forge organizer had not heard from his campaign.
Sources: WSLS, Sept. 10, 2026, WSET, Sept. 7, 2026, WVTF (WMRA report), Sept. 26, 2025, Daily News-Record, Sept. 25, 2026, WDBJ, Sept. 16, 2026
Beth Macy. Holds open public events, including a Sept. 27, 2026 Lexington event with about 150 people and an Oct. 4, 2026 Staunton town hall. Accepted the Oct. 14 Clifton Forge forum. Did not attend the Sept. 10 Salem Rotary forum.
Sources: WSET, Sept. 28, 2026, Daily News-Record, Sept. 29, 2026, Daily News-Record, Sept. 25, 2026, WSLS, Sept. 10, 2026, WSET, Sept. 7, 2026
Temperament and judgment
Steady under pressure, decides on evidence, and treats opponents and staff with respect.
Ben Cline. Served in the Virginia House of Delegates from 2002 to 2018 and in Congress since 2019. No House Ethics Committee conduct finding found.
Sources: Ballotpedia, Ben Cline, House Committee on Ethics site search for Cline
Beth Macy. Worked 25 years as a reporter at The Roanoke Times and then as an author and television executive producer. No formal conduct finding found.
Sources: Ballotpedia, Beth Macy, Roanoke Rambler, Sept. 16, 2026, Guggenheim Foundation, Beth Macy
Fidelity to the oath
Uses power inside its limits: accepts certified results, obeys court rulings, follows the rules of the office.
Ben Cline. Voted Yea on both objections to state electors on Jan. 6 and 7, 2021 (Roll Calls 10 and 11). Listed as an amicus on the December 2020 House members' brief supporting Texas in Texas v. Pennsylvania.
Sources: House Clerk Roll Call 10, Jan. 6, 2021, House Clerk Roll Call 11, Jan. 7, 2021, U.S. Supreme Court docket No. 155, Original, amicus brief filed Dec. 11, 2020, Harrisonburg Citizen, Jan. 7, 2021
Beth Macy. No public record found.
What they bring
Qualifications
Relevant experience
Has done work that prepares them for this specific office.
Ben Cline. In his fourth term in the U.S. House, in office since 2019. Served 16 years in the Virginia House of Delegates (2002 to 2018) and was an assistant commonwealth's attorney from 2007 to 2013.
Sources: Ballotpedia, Ben Cline, Office site, About
Beth Macy. Reporter at The Roanoke Times for 25 years, author of books including Factory Man and Dopesick, and executive producer and cowriter of the Hulu series. Has not held public office.
Sources: Ballotpedia, Beth Macy, Roanoke Rambler, Sept. 16, 2026, Guggenheim Foundation, Beth Macy, WSET, Aug. 2026
Command of the job
Knows the issues and knows what the office can and cannot do.
Ben Cline. Sits on the Appropriations, Judiciary, Intelligence and Budget committees. Chaired the Judiciary Subcommittee on Responsiveness and Accountability to Oversight in the 118th Congress. Issue pages list specific bills he supported.
Sources: Ballotpedia, Ben Cline, committee assignments, Office press release, Jan. 27, 2023, GovTrack, committee membership, Office site, Economy
Beth Macy. Publishes a priorities page with positions on data centers, Social Security, tariffs and crop insurance, and answered the WMRA and VPM candidate questionnaire.
Sources: Campaign site, Priorities, WMRA, Beth Macy Q&A, Sept. 18, 2026
Communication
Explains plainly, persuades, and listens.
Ben Cline. Offers a weekly newsletter, holds town halls and took part in two September 2026 forums. Did not complete Ballotpedia's 2026 survey and did not respond to the WMRA and VPM candidate questionnaire.
Sources: Office site, home page, WVTF (WMRA report), Sept. 26, 2025, WSLS, Sept. 10, 2026, Ballotpedia, Ben Cline, VPM and WMRA 6th District Q&A, Sept. 21, 2026
Beth Macy. Answered the WMRA and VPM candidate questionnaire, holds town halls and listening sessions, spoke at the Buena Vista Labor Fest and publishes issue pages. Has not completed Ballotpedia's 2026 survey.
Sources: WMRA, Beth Macy Q&A, Sept. 18, 2026, Daily News-Record, Sept. 29, 2026, Winchester Star, Oct. 2026, WSET, Sept. 7, 2026, Campaign site, Priorities, Ballotpedia, Beth Macy
Roots in the constituency
Lives there, knows the people, and is funded by them.
Ben Cline. Grew up in Rockbridge County, graduated from Lexington High School in 1990 and lives in Botetourt County. FEC by-state totals for 2025 to 2026 show about 76 percent of itemized individual contributions from Virginia.
Sources: Office site, About, VPM and WMRA 6th District Q&A, Sept. 21, 2026, FEC contribution totals by state
Beth Macy. Born in Ohio and has lived most of her life in Roanoke, where she reported for The Roanoke Times for 25 years. FEC by-state totals for 2025 to 2026 show about 74 percent of itemized individual contributions from Virginia.
Sources: Ballotpedia, Beth Macy, Roanoke Rambler, Sept. 16, 2026, Virginia Department of Elections, Nov. 3, 2026 candidate list, FEC contribution totals by state
Management
Can build and run an organization.
Ben Cline. Campaign committee reports are on file with the FEC through July 15, 2026. No FEC administrative fine against his committee found.
Sources: FEC candidate page, Cline, FEC administrative fines search, Cline for Congress
Beth Macy. Campaign committee reports are on file with the FEC through July 15, 2026. No FEC administrative fine record found.
Sources: FEC candidate page, Macy, FEC administrative fines search, Beth Macy
What they deliver
Performance
Results
Turns ideas into outcomes.
Ben Cline. Legislative Effectiveness Score of 0.762 in the 118th Congress against a benchmark of 1.464, which the Center for Effective Lawmaking classes as meeting expectations. His Small Business Reorganization Act was signed into law Aug. 23, 2019.
Sources: Center for Effective Lawmaking House dataset, 93rd to 118th Congress, GovTrack, H.R. 3311 (116th Congress), GovTrack, enacted legislation
Beth Macy. Prior-career results: Factory Man won a Lukas Prize, Dopesick won the Los Angeles Times Book Prize and became a Peabody-winning Hulu series she executive produced and cowrote, and she received a 2023 Guggenheim Fellowship.
Sources: Guggenheim Foundation, Beth Macy, Peabody Awards, Dopesick, 2021 winner, Bowling Green State University, Sept. 2014
Showing up
Does the basic work of the job.
Ben Cline. Missed 31 of 3,869 roll call votes, 0.8 percent, from January 2019 to September 2026.
Source: GovTrack, missed votes
Beth Macy. No public record found.
Constituent service
Solves problems for the people they represent.
Ben Cline. Lists four district offices, in Winchester, Harrisonburg, Staunton and Roanoke, plus mobile office hours and help with federal agencies. Held a Lexington town hall in September 2025.
Sources: Office site, About, Office site, home page, WVTF (WMRA report), Sept. 26, 2025
Beth Macy. No public record found.
Coalition building
Wins support beyond their own faction.
Ben Cline. Lugar Center Bipartisan Index score of -1.06276 in the latest posted House scores (118th Congress), ranked 346 of 436.
Source: Lugar Center and McCourt School Bipartisan Index, House Scores
Beth Macy. No public record found.
Stewardship of public money
Treats tax dollars as someone else's money.
Ben Cline. No public record found.
Beth Macy. No public record found.
How to read this
Each criterion is scored 0 to 4 against the written rubric in the Ballot Standard. NR means no record: there is no reliable public evidence either way, so the criterion is left out and never counts against the candidate. A total is published when at least 8 of 15 criteria have evidence.
A sitting officeholder has a longer public record than a first-time candidate, so the two totals rest on different amounts of evidence. Read the count of criteria beside each score. Low marks require an official finding or a primary record. Allegations and opinion are not used.
No policy position is scored. Evidence checked October 5, 2026. Campaigns and readers can send a correction with a public source to tpg@thepoliticalgroup.com.
Questions
Who should I vote for in Virginia's 6th Congressional District?
Beth Macy has the strongest record in Virginia's 6th Congressional District. Beth Macy and Ben Cline each score 64 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, as of October 5, 2026; Beth Macy ranks first on the tiebreaker, the character score (58 to 50). Beth Macy's highest marks are roots in the constituency and accountability. Ben Cline's highest marks are relevant experience and roots in the constituency. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.
Who is running in Virginia's 6th Congressional District in 2026?
Ben L. Cline (Republican, incumbent), Beth A. Macy (Democratic). The general election is November 3, 2026.
Is Ben Cline a good candidate for Congress?
Ben Cline scores 64 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, with public evidence on 14 of 15 criteria: character 50 of 100, qualifications 80 of 100, performance 63 of 100. The standard measures character, qualifications and performance, not policy positions.
Is Beth Macy a good candidate for Congress?
Beth Macy scores 64 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, with public evidence on 9 of 15 criteria: character 58 of 100, qualifications 65 of 100, performance 75 of 100. The standard measures character, qualifications and performance, not policy positions.
How is the strongest record decided?
The candidate with the highest Ballot Standard score has the strongest record. Each of 15 criteria on character, qualifications and performance is scored 0 to 4 from public records and established reporting, the same way for every party. No policy position is scored, and unresolved accusations never move a score.
More on this race: every Virginia race scored, the trailing candidate's path to victory, and the Virginia 2026 election guide. Independent scorecard by The Political Group, not affiliated with any candidate or party.