Democrat · Virginia's 8th District · 2026

Don Beyer

Beyer went back to college while in Congress, taking computer science classes at George Mason University.

Don Beyer has added computer science classes at George Mason University to a career that already includes selling cars, diplomacy and Congress.¹ He returned to take undergraduate prerequisites for graduate study in machine learning.¹ He and his wife, Megan, live in Alexandria; he has four children and two grandchildren.²

A Williams College graduate, Beyer joined his family's Northern Virginia dealership through a summer job in 1974 and spent decades helping build the business before selling it in 2019.² He served as Virginia's lieutenant governor from 1990 to 1998 and later as ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein.²³

Now serving his sixth House term, Beyer works on Ways and Means and is the senior House Democrat on the Joint Economic Committee.² His legislative work includes proposals addressing AI transparency, risk management and environmental impacts.³

Beyer supports expanding affordable housing tax credits and preserving existing affordable units.⁴ He wants restored Affordable Care Act subsidies and healthcare funding, and stronger congressional authority over trade policy.³ His November opponents are Republican Tony Sabio, Libertarian Shelly Arnoldi and independent Tim Sharman.⁵

Record and controversies

Campaign reporting fine

In May 2021, the FEC found that Beyer's campaign committee and its treasurer in her official capacity failed to file required notices within 48 hours for $29,500 in contributions before the 2020 primary.⁶ The committee paid the $3,101 civil penalty, and the FEC closed the file.⁶

Don Beyer

Biography

Record and controversies

Campaign reporting fine