A quick Google search of Beth Macy would quickly reveal several of her professional accomplishments.
From 1989 through 2014, she worked as an acclaimed journalist at the Roanoke Times, winning national awards for her reporting on race, immigration and teen pregnancy.
Four of her five books – Factory Man (2014), Truevine (2016), Dopesick (2018) and Paper Girl (2025) – have gone on to become national bestsellers. Her 2018 novel was shortlisted for the Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Nonfiction.
When people Google her in November, instead of an accomplished author and non-fiction writer, Macy wants another title to come up – U.S. Representative.
Macy is hoping to unseat Congressman Ben Cline, an incumbent who has represented Virginia’s 6th District since 2019.
When the Supreme Court struck down Virginia’s redistricting referendum in April, candidate Hugh Murray dropped out of the district race while Republican John McGuire decided to run in the 5th District.
The congressional hopeful officially opened her new campaign headquarters in southwest Roanoke on June 27. Located at 1329 Grandin Road, the office will serve as a gathering place for campaign events, meetings, volunteer training and more.
Family, friends, staff personnel and supporters all gathered for the milestone. Before touring the facility, guests enjoyed refreshments while hearing the campaign’s plans for the upcoming election season.
Before introducing Macy, Roanoke NAACP Branch President Brenda Hale told all in attendance, “You need to tell people what they missed today. We need to register people to vote, educate them about what’s at stake and listen to their concerns. If we all do our part, we will complete the mission of getting Beth elected to Congress.”
Wynn Morris, Macy’s campaign manager, says the juxtaposition between her and Cline could not be clearer. Unlike her opponent, Macy will not be accepting any money from corporate interests or SuperPACS, commonly called political action committees.
“We are not going to be able to win this race if we do not knock on doors and talk to voters,” Morris said. “The problem nationally with the Democratic Party is that we have lost credibility with the voting base. The way we get that back is going to where people are and discuss what is important to them.”
If elected, Macy says her top priorities will be lowering costs for families, expanding access to health care and improving the education system.
“Our one district is equal to the state of New Jersey, and they have 12. To flip this seat is going to cost around $3 million. We are almost halfway there,” Macy said. “Trump has a disapproval rating of 61 percent. Ben Cline is hovering below 50. This is a once-in-a-generation moment. We can do this.”
Gov. Abigail Spanberger, Mayor Joe Cobb, former mayor Sherman Lea Sr., Sheriff Antonio Hash, retired U.S. Space Force Colonel Bree Farm, California Rep. Ro Khanna and Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine have all publicly endorsed Macy for Congress.
For the latest information, including how interested individuals can get involved with the campaign, visit https://bethmacyforcongress.com.
