Beth Macy Brings Congressional Campaign to Warren County Democratic Gathering

Democratic congressional candidate Beth Macy brought her campaign to Warren County on Saturday during the Warren County Democratic Committee’s Picnic in the Park at Gertrude E. Miller Park, where she spoke about healthcare, rising costs, farming concerns, and the growing debate over data centers across Virginia’s 6th Congressional District.

Macy, an author and longtime journalist from Roanoke, is seeking the Democratic nomination to challenge Republican Congressman Ben Cline in the 2026 election. Speaking with the Royal Examiner near Bing Crosby Stadium before the event, Macy described the race as one of the most important elections facing the region.

“I’m running for Congress to unseat our MAGA Congressman Ben Cline,” Macy said. “I’m for fixing healthcare, feeding kids, putting guardrails around big tech. I think this is the most important election in our lifetime.”

The 6th Congressional District stretches across much of western Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley. Macy said recent redistricting delays slowed her campaign schedule in the northern part of the district, but she plans to spend the coming months traveling throughout the region to meet voters.

“I’m taking nothing for granted,” she said. “This is a full-court press.”

One issue drawing attention in Northern Virginia and increasingly across the Valley is the expansion of data centers. Macy called for stronger federal oversight and more transparency from technology companies developing large-scale facilities.

“The average data center only creates about 50 jobs once it’s up and running, and the average amount of water use is five million gallons of water a day,” Macy said. “We’re in the middle of a drought, and farmers are very, very concerned about the water.”

Macy referenced concerns surrounding a proposed Google-linked data center project in Botetourt County, saying local officials had signed nondisclosure agreements that limited public information about water usage demands.

“We need to get rid of these NDAs,” she said. “People deserve transparency.”

The candidate also tied economic concerns to national policy debates, arguing that inflation, tariffs, and trade disputes are putting pressure on farmers and working families.

“Fertilizers doubled,” Macy said while discussing conversations with Valley farmers. “They’re having to sell off cows, which makes the price of beef go up.”

She pointed to rising grocery and fuel prices as evidence that many Virginians are struggling with basic household expenses. According to Macy, food insecurity has become increasingly visible across the district.

“I was just in Woodstock the other day,” she said. “People start arriving hours early because they know the food’s going to run out.”

Macy’s campaign platform also focuses heavily on healthcare access. On her campaign website, she supports expanding healthcare coverage, protecting Medicaid and veterans’ healthcare services, and addressing rural hospital closures.

The website describes Macy as “Virginia’s Best Listener” and outlines proposals involving affordable housing, education investment, immigration reform, and increased taxes on billionaires and large technology companies.

Macy is perhaps best known nationally as the author of Dopesick, a bestselling book examining the opioid crisis that was later adapted into an award-winning television series. She said her reporting background has shaped her political approach.

During the conversation, Macy criticized what she described as a lack of action from Washington leaders on housing affordability and healthcare costs. She also voiced support for zoning reforms to increase the number of smaller, more affordable housing developments.

“We’ve got to restore economic sanity,” she said.

As the campaign season continues, Macy said she plans to attend community events throughout the district, including appearances with local NAACP chapters, civic groups, and Democratic organizations.

“I’m going to be everywhere,” she said with a laugh.

The Warren County Democratic Committee’s Picnic in the Park brought together local Democrats, candidates, and community members for speeches and outreach ahead of what is expected to be a closely watched congressional campaign season in Virginia.

Visit her website for more information.