Beth Macy ready to take on Tom Perriello in potential 6th District primary

Former Roanoke Times journalist and "Dopesick" author says her values won't change even if district boundaries do.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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Beth Macy, the former Roanoke Times journalist and acclaimed "Dopesick" author, is running for the 6th Congressional District in Virginia. If proposed redistricting efforts succeed, the district could add Albemarle County and Charlottesville, making it less Republican-leaning. This could set up a potential primary battle between Macy and former Congressman Tom Perriello, who has entered the race for the 5th District. Macy says she's ready for the challenge and that her values won't change regardless of the district boundaries.

Why it matters

The potential redistricting of Virginia's 6th Congressional District could have significant political implications, as it could shift the balance of power in the region. Macy and Perriello are both seasoned Democratic candidates with strong support, and a primary battle between them would be closely watched as it could shape the direction of the party in the area.

The details

Macy has been planning her campaign for the 6th District since October, aware that it is currently a Republican stronghold. However, she says she's ready to take on the challenge, even if the district becomes more competitive through redistricting. Perriello, a former Congressman, has also entered the race for the 5th District, prompting most other declared candidates to drop out. Both Macy and Perriello have criticized the current Republican Representatives, Ben Cline and John McGuire, for their support of Trump administration policies.

  • Macy began in-depth planning for her campaign in October 2025.
  • Perriello entered the race for the 5th District in December 2025.

The players

Beth Macy

A former Roanoke Times journalist and acclaimed author of "Dopesick", Macy is running for the 6th Congressional District in Virginia.

Tom Perriello

A former Congressman, Perriello has entered the race for the 5th Congressional District in Virginia.

Ben Cline

The current Republican Representative for the 6th Congressional District in Virginia.

John McGuire

The current Republican Representative for the 5th Congressional District in Virginia.

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What they’re saying

“I'm ready for it. I was ready to run before the new map came out and I'm still ready to run.”

— Beth Macy (Cville Right Now)

“I've got a lot of support and we've got a lot of momentum. But I think the focus will be on continuing to listen to voters, particularly in the Roanoke Valley and Shenandoah Valley. I love the idea of greater solidarity between these communities, particularly as we face some shared challenges, like affordability.”

— Tom Perriello (Cville Right Now)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This potential primary battle between Macy and Perriello highlights the shifting political landscape in Virginia's 6th and 5th Congressional Districts. Regardless of the district boundaries, both candidates are committed to putting working families at the center of their policy platforms and addressing the shared challenges facing the region, such as affordability and access to healthcare.