VA-08 Democratic nominee?
$84.7K
AUG 5, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleU.S. Representative
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyModerate Democrat
Age76 years old (Jun 20, 1950)
GenderMale
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LocationVirginia
BackgroundU.S. Representative
EducationGonzaga College High School (1968)
Notable personal detailsDonald Sternoff Beyer Jr. is a U.S. Representative for Virginia’s 8th congressional district, serving in Congress since January 3, 2015. Before Congress, he was Lieutenant Governor of Virginia (1990–1998) and later served as U.S. Ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein (2009–2013). He is also a businessman in the automotive industry and a graduate of Williams College.
SourcesShowHide
Positions
Economy & Taxes
Supports raising taxes on the wealthy and corporations to increase federal revenue and fund government programs; has publicly backed proposals like a millionaires surtax and supported legislation targeting corporate profits and opposing Republican tax cuts for high earners.
Healthcare
Don Beyer has cosponsored Medicare for All legislation and supports policies to expand coverage and lower costs, including strengthening the Affordable Care Act’s marketplace subsidies and lowering prescription drug prices. His public materials highlight support for recent Democratic laws (e.g., American Rescue Plan, Inflation Reduction Act) that expand subsidies and cap drug costs for Medicare beneficiaries.
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Immigration & Border
Supports expanded legal pathways and protections for immigrants including DACA recipients and a pathway to citizenship; opposes restrictive travel bans and has pushed for oversight and limits on ICE/CBP detention and abuses. Advocates comprehensive immigration reform that modernizes processing, addresses root causes, and includes earned legalization while criticizing harsh enforcement practices and detention conditions.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Supports legal abortion access and has voted to codify Roe v. Wade protections at the federal level. Backed and voted for the Women’s Health Protection Act to protect abortion access nationally.
Climate & Energy
Supports active federal climate policy including clean energy investment, market-based mechanisms to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and carbon pricing while supporting transitional technologies. Has sponsored legislation to incentivize carbon removal and participates in congressional climate and clean-energy caucuses. Advocates using the social cost of carbon in policymaking and promotes energy innovation and efficiency.
Public Safety & Guns
Supports universal background checks, red flag (extreme risk protection) laws, an assault weapons ban, repeal of gun-industry liability protections, bans on ghost guns, and stronger ATF enforcement. Advocates a range of federal gun-safety measures including expanded background checks and restrictions on certain weapons and magazines.
News
Don Beyer is in the news because he is campaigning in Virginia’s 8th Congressional District ahead of the August 4 primary. He took part in a candidate forum and debate that focused on housing, voting rights, immigration enforcement, the SAVE Act, and schools. The reports say he is facing four Democratic primary challengers before a possible general election matchup in November.
Endorsements
Endorsers of Don Beyer for VA-08 Democratic nominee?
League of Conservation Voters Action Fund
Political organization
League of Conservation Voters Action Fund endorsed Don Beyer for the U.S. House.
Animal Wellness Action
Public figure
Animal Wellness Action endorsed Don Beyer for Congress.
Arlington elected officials
Public endorsement
Arlington elected officials endorsed Don Beyer's reelection bid.
Alexandria elected officials
Public endorsement
Alexandria elected officials endorsed Don Beyer's reelection bid.
Virginia Democratic congressional delegation
Public endorsement
Virginia Democratic congressional delegation endorsed Don Beyer's reelection bid.
Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 20262022
2024
2026
LatestCycle 2022
Cycle 2024
Cycle 2026
Source: FEC
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Polls