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Republican

Rick Smithers

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Republican

Rick Smithers

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VA-07 Republican nominee?

$61.7K

AUG 5, 2026

Primary Election

Party selects its nominee.

2 more

Overview

Current rolePastor (Crossroads Community Church)

PartyRepublican

Political ideologyConservative Republican

GenderMale

LocationVirginia

BackgroundPastor (Crossroads Community Church)

Notable personal detailsRick S. Smithers is a Republican candidate for the U.S. House in Virginia’s 7th Congressional District in the August 4, 2026 primary. He has been described as a pastor and a construction business owner, and has been active in Republican candidate forums in the district. Reporting in June 2026 stated he lived in Franklin County (outside VA-07) and said he would move into the district if he wins the primary.

SourcesShow

vpm.org fredericksburgfreepress.com ballotready.org ricksmithersforcongress.com arlnow.com fec.gov legalclarity.org elections.virginia.gov wvtf.org 12onyourside.com en.wikipedia.org rockinghamcountyva.gov arxiv.org roanokecountyva.gov elections.es.virginia.gov projects.propublica.org potomaclocal.com virginia7.gop dougforvirginia.com keepgreenered.com virginia.gov localcandidates.org newspapers.swco.ttu.edu americansfortaxfairness.org studylib.net wvgis.wvu.edu cia.gov congress.gov instagram.com 29news.com ballotpedia.org virginiamercury.com facebook.com cvilletomorrow.org vindman.house.gov veterans.senate.gov democrats-veterans.house.gov govinfo.gov house.gov democrats-energycommerce.house.gov westerncaucus.house.gov trahan.house.gov armed-services.senate.gov transition.fec.gov

Positions

LiberalConservative

Economy & Taxes

Smithers supports lowering taxes and slashing federal spending. He also emphasizes putting more money in workers’ pockets, helping with grocery and electric bills, and being cautious about large corporate data-center growth when it could raise utility costs for ordinary Virginians.

Immigration & Border

At a June 2026 VA-07 candidate forum, Rick Smithers supported securing the border first while allowing legal channels to meet labor needs in agriculture and hospitality. The discussion also emphasized prioritizing U.S. citizens.

Climate & Energy

Smithers has criticized data centers for their large energy demands and said ordinary Virginians could end up paying higher utility bills. Publicly available material reviewed here does not show a more specific climate policy agenda or clear position on emissions, fossil fuels, or clean-energy mandates.

Public Safety & Guns

Smithers supports Second Amendment rights and national concealed carry reciprocity. He also emphasized self-defense and lawful carry while respecting background checks.

News

AINews Summary

Last updatedJul 15, 2026

Rick Smithers is in the news because Virginia is holding primary elections for congressional nominees ahead of the 2026 midterms. The race is part of a broader set of contested contests for U.S. House seats and the U.S. Senate. The summary provided does not include any specific developments about Smithers himself, so his role in the election is unclear.

vpm.org+43

Articles

WWTOP1 month ago

Virginia voter guide: Parties nominate candidates for Congress, local offices ahead of 2026 midterms

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