Ben Cline

Ben Cline
Born	Benjamin Lee Cline 29 2, 1972
Birthplace	Stillwater, Oklahoma, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician, lawyer
Known for	U.S. Representative for Virginia's 6th congressional district
Education	Bates College (BA) University of Richmond (JD)
Children	2
Website	[https://cline.house.gov Official site]

Benjamin Lee Cline (born February 29, 1972) is an American politician and attorney serving as the U.S. representative for Virginia's 6th congressional district since January 2019. A member of the Republican Party, Cline previously served in the Virginia House of Delegates, representing the 24th district from 2002 to 2018. Born in Stillwater, Oklahoma, Cline was educated at Bates College in Maine and the University of Richmond School of Law in Virginia. Before entering elected office, he worked as an assistant commonwealth's attorney and as a congressional aide. Cline succeeded longtime incumbent Bob Goodlatte in Congress and has represented a sprawling district in western Virginia that includes the cities of Harrisonburg, Staunton, Lexington, Lynchburg, and Roanoke. During his time in both the Virginia House of Delegates and the U.S. House, Cline has focused on issues including law enforcement, fiscal conservatism, infrastructure improvements, and constitutional governance. He is a member of the House Freedom Caucus and has aligned himself with the conservative wing of the Republican Party on matters of spending, immigration, and government oversight.

Early Life

Benjamin Lee Cline was born on February 29, 1972, in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Details about his parents and upbringing in Oklahoma are limited in publicly available sources. Cline eventually relocated to Virginia, where he would build his political and legal career. He grew up in a period marked by the rise of the conservative movement within the Republican Party, and his later career would reflect many of the ideological commitments that emerged from that era, including an emphasis on limited government, fiscal discipline, and support for law enforcement.

Cline's birth on February 29 makes him a leap day baby, a calendrical rarity that occurs only once every four years.

Education

Cline earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Bates College, a private liberal arts college in Lewiston, Maine. He subsequently attended the University of Richmond School of Law, where he earned his Juris Doctor degree. His legal education provided the foundation for his later work as a prosecutor and his extensive legislative career focused on criminal justice and constitutional issues.

Career

Early Legal and Political Career

Before entering elected office, Cline gained experience in both law and politics. He worked as an assistant commonwealth's attorney, a prosecutorial role in the Virginia court system. He also served as a congressional aide, providing him with firsthand experience in the workings of the federal legislative process. This combination of legal practice and Capitol Hill experience positioned Cline for a career in state politics.

Virginia House of Delegates (2002–2018)

Cline was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates to represent the 24th district on November 26, 2002, succeeding Vance Wilkins, who had previously served as Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates. He would go on to serve the 24th district for sixteen years, winning multiple reelection campaigns before departing for Congress in 2018.

During his tenure in the House of Delegates, Cline established himself as one of the more conservative members of the chamber. He was affiliated with the Virginia Conservative Caucus, a group within the General Assembly that advocated for limited government and fiscal restraint.

Cline was an active legislator who introduced and supported a wide range of bills throughout his tenure. His legislative record included measures addressing criminal justice, public safety, property rights, and government transparency.

Legislative Record

Cline's legislative record in the Virginia House of Delegates spanned numerous policy areas. He introduced House Bill 1130 and House Bill 1131 during the 2006 session, which addressed various aspects of Virginia law.

In the 2003 session, Cline introduced House Bill 2231, one of his early legislative efforts after taking office. He also introduced House Bill 2456 during the 2007 session and House Bill 1556 during the 2008 session.

During the 2009 session, Cline introduced House Bill 2285, which dealt with matters under Virginia state law. In the 2010 session, he introduced House Bill 873. He continued his legislative activity in the 2012 session with House Bill 836 and in the 2013 session with House Bill 2103.

Advocacy for Local Issues

Cline was active on issues affecting his district. In one notable instance, he led an effort to keep the Natural Bridge Juvenile Correctional Center open, gathering approximately 1,700 signatures on a petition to prevent its closure. The facility was an important employer in the area, and Cline argued that closing it would have detrimental effects on the local economy and the juvenile justice system.

Awards During State Service

During his tenure in the House of Delegates, Cline received recognition for his work from various organizations. He was awarded a service award from the Virginia Sheriffs' Association, reflecting his legislative focus on public safety and law enforcement issues.

Upon his departure from the House of Delegates in 2018 to take up his seat in Congress, Cline was succeeded by Ronnie Campbell in the 24th district.

U.S. House of Representatives (2019–present)

Election to Congress

In 2018, longtime 6th district Congressman Bob Goodlatte announced that he would not seek reelection. Cline entered the race for the Republican nomination and won, subsequently prevailing in the general election. He took office on January 3, 2019, succeeding Goodlatte.

Virginia's 6th congressional district encompasses a large swath of western Virginia, including parts of the Shenandoah Valley and the Blue Ridge region. The district includes the independent cities of Harrisonburg, Staunton, Lexington, Lynchburg, and Roanoke, as well as surrounding rural counties. The district has historically leaned Republican, and Cline has won reelection in subsequent cycles.

Congressional Tenure

In Congress, Cline has aligned with the conservative wing of the Republican Party and has been a member of the House Freedom Caucus. His policy priorities have included fiscal conservatism, reducing government spending, supporting law enforcement, strengthening border security, and advocating for infrastructure improvements in his district.

Cline has been active on infrastructure issues affecting his district, particularly regarding improvements to Interstate 81, which runs through the heart of Virginia's 6th congressional district and is considered one of the most heavily trafficked and hazardous corridors in the Commonwealth. In February 2026, Cline discussed ongoing efforts to improve I-81, noting that one of the most important solutions involved widening the road from two lanes to three in critical stretches. The addition of a third lane in congested areas has been a priority for elected officials in the region, given the highway's role as a major freight and commuter corridor.

Redistricting Controversy (2026)

In early 2026, Cline became involved in a legal and political dispute over redistricting in Virginia. Democrats in the Virginia General Assembly advanced a referendum on redistricting, scheduled for April 21, 2026. The Republican National Committee (RNC) and the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC), along with Cline and fellow Virginia Republican Congressman Morgan Griffith, were parties to legal efforts challenging the referendum. On February 19, 2026, Judge Jack Hurley of Tazewell County issued a temporary restraining order blocking state officials from holding the redistricting referendum vote. The ruling placed the scheduled vote on hold, with the attorney general expected to appeal the decision. The case raised questions about the timeline for the Supreme Court of Virginia to weigh in on the matter, particularly as early voting was already scheduled to begin.

Immigration and Federal Enforcement Issues

Cline has been a vocal supporter of federal immigration enforcement efforts. In December 2025, he commented on the federal government's handling of Venezuelan deportation operations, stating that "the letter of the law" was being followed in the conduct of boat strikes related to enforcement actions.

His positions on immigration and federal enforcement have generated both support and opposition. In February 2026, protesters gathered outside Cline's district office in Harrisonburg as part of a "National Day of Direct Action," calling for the abolition of ICE and the impeachment of Trump administration officials. The demonstration took place at Cline's office on the corner of Market and Mason streets. Separately, constituents have written to local newspapers expressing concerns about Cline's stance on federal enforcement and civil liberties issues.

2026 Election Cycle

In November 2025, Democratic candidates began announcing their intention to challenge Cline in the 2026 election cycle. Author Beth Macy, known for her books on the opioid crisis and other social issues, entered the race for Congress in Virginia's 6th district, positioning herself as a critic of Cline's record. The race attracted multiple Democratic candidates seeking to challenge the incumbent.

Personal Life

Cline resides in Virginia's 6th congressional district. He and his wife have two children. Cline's birth on a leap day, February 29, means that his actual birthday occurs only once every four years on the calendar.

Before entering full-time elected office, Cline practiced law in Virginia, drawing on his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Richmond. His legal background has informed his legislative work, particularly in areas related to criminal justice, constitutional law, and property rights.

Recognition

During his career in public service, Cline has received recognition from various organizations. While serving in the Virginia House of Delegates, he received a service award from the Virginia Sheriffs' Association in recognition of his work on law enforcement and public safety legislation.

Cline's legislative voting record has been tracked by the Virginia Public Access Project and the Richmond Sunlight project, both of which provide public data on the activities of Virginia legislators.

His affiliation with the Virginia Conservative Caucus and, later, the House Freedom Caucus has positioned him among the more conservative members of both the Virginia General Assembly and the U.S. House of Representatives. These alignments have earned him support from conservative advocacy organizations and voters in his district.