West Virginia Democratic Senate nominee?
$50.9K
MAY 19, 2026
Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Live Odds — West Virginia Democratic Senate nominee?
Current prediction-market probability for the candidate, updated as market prices change.
0.1%chance to win
$50.9KMAY 19, 2026Candidate Overview
Key details about the candidate’s background, party, office sought and current campaign.
Current roleMedia and marketing entrepreneur
Political ideologyProgressive Democrat
LocationWest Virginia
BackgroundMedia and marketing entrepreneur
Notable personal detailsRio Phillips is a candidate for U.S. Senate in West Virginia in the 2026 election cycle and has filed federal candidacy paperwork with the FEC. He has described his professional background as media and marketing entrepreneurship, including work for companies in cybersecurity, insurance, and hospitality. He has also described having a long history of advocacy and community organizing and moving to West Virginia in 2020.
SourcesShowHide
Political Positions
Economy & Taxes
The candidate’s public platform emphasizes expanded social programs (Medicare for All, $20 minimum wage, paid family leave, canceling medical debt and student loans), reductions in military spending to reinvest domestically, and measures to attract investment (a corporate tax incentive program). The campaign materials do not include a clear, explicit statement about raising or lowering federal tax rates on high-income individuals or corporations, producing a mixed or unclear position on tax changes.
Healthcare
Supports Medicare for All and a broad expansion of public healthcare access, including lower prescription drug costs, protecting rural hospitals, and dramatically expanded mental-health services. Also calls to cancel medical debt and expand social services.
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Climate & Energy
The candidate identifies as a progressive and lists "climate justice" and clean water among campaign priorities, supporting expanded clean-energy and environmental protections as part of a broader progressive platform. The campaign frames these goals within working-class economic and public-health priorities rather than specifying aggressive fossil-fuel phase-out timelines or explicit Green New Deal legislation.
Public Safety & Guns
The candidate identifies as pro-Second Amendment and states strong support for legal, safe, and responsible gun ownership. The platform emphasizes constitutional defense and upholding gun ownership rights without proposing major new firearm restrictions.
Latest News
Rio Phillips is in the news mainly because of West Virginia’s recent election changes and voting-law fights. The state used its new photo ID requirement in a primary election for the first time, while the Justice Department is also suing West Virginia over access to voter registration lists. Phillips is also being covered in the context of broader state debates over proof-of-citizenship voting rules and other election-related legislation.
‘Medical conscience’ bills would let providers refuse more health care
DOJ Sues 5 More States Over Voter Roll Access
US Justice Department sues five more states over voter registration lists
New West Virginia law requiring photo IDs at polling places greets voters in primary election
Campaign Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 2026Campaign finance totals from the latest available reporting period.
2026
LatestCycle 2026
Source: FEC
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We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
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