Ben Loyola

This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.

Ben Loyola

Republican Party

Elections and appointments

Last election

November 2, 2021

Education

Bachelor's

U.S. Naval Academy, 1983

Military

Service / branch

U.S. Navy

Service / branch

U.S. Navy

Years of service

1983 - 2013

Personal

Religion

Christian: Catholic

Profession

Engineer/Founder, Loyola Enterprises

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Campaign Twitter

Campaign Instagram

Campaign YouTube

Personal Facebook

Personal LinkedIn

Ben Loyola (Republican Party) ran for election for Virginia Beach Commissioner of the Revenue. He lost in the general election on November 2, 2021.

Biography

Ben Loyola was born in Havana, Cuba. Loyola is a graduate from the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. He has served as a captain in the United States Navy. He founded Loyola Enterprises Inc., an engineering service contracting firm, in 1991. He has served as chairman of St. John the Apostle Catholic School Board, as chairman of the Back Bay Amateur Astronomy Association Scholarship Committee, as chairman and vice chairman of the Commonwealth of Virginia Public School Authority, as commissioner of the City of VA Beach Arts and Humanities Committee, as a board member of the ODU Virginia Modeling Analysis & Simulation Center, as a board member of the Emergency Management Training, Analysis & Sim. Center, and as a board member of the Virginia Ballet.

Elections

2021

See also: City elections in Virginia Beach, Virginia (2021)

General election

General election for Virginia Beach Commissioner of the Revenue

Incumbent Philip Kellam defeated Ben Loyola in the general election for Virginia Beach Commissioner of the Revenue on November 2, 2021.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Philip Kellam (D)	56.2	86,347
		Ben Loyola (R)	43.5	66,845
		Other/Write-in votes	0.3	424

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 153,616
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Democratic primary election

The Democratic primary election was canceled. Incumbent Philip Kellam advanced from the Democratic primary for Virginia Beach Commissioner of the Revenue.

Republican primary election

The Republican primary election was canceled. Ben Loyola advanced from the Republican primary for Virginia Beach Commissioner of the Revenue.

2020

See also: Virginia's 2nd Congressional District election, 2020

Virginia's 2nd Congressional District election, 2020 (June 23 Republican primary)

Virginia's 2nd Congressional District election, 2020 (June 23 Democratic primary)

General election

General election for U.S. House Virginia District 2

Incumbent Elaine Luria defeated Scott Taylor and David Bruce Foster in the general election for U.S. House Virginia District 2 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Elaine Luria (D)	51.6	185,733
		Scott Taylor (R)	45.8	165,031
		David Bruce Foster (Independent)	2.5	9,170
		Other/Write-in votes	0.1	343

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 360,277
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

The Democratic primary election was canceled. Incumbent Elaine Luria advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House Virginia District 2.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Joseph Mota (D)

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Virginia District 2

Scott Taylor defeated Ben Loyola and Jarome Bell in the Republican primary for U.S. House Virginia District 2 on June 23, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Scott Taylor	48.5	25,478
		Ben Loyola	29.4	15,420
		Jarome Bell	22.1	11,616

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 52,514
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Andy Baan (R)

Endorsements

To view Loyola's endorsements in the 2020 election, please click here.

2011

See also: Virginia State Senate elections, 2011

Loyola ran in the 2011 election for Virginia Senate District 6. He was uncontested in the August 23 primary and was defeated by incumbent Democrat Ralph Northam in the November 8 general election.

Virginia State Senate, District 6 General Election, 2011
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Ralph Northam Incumbent	56.8%	16,606
	Republican	Ben Loyola	43.2%	12,622
Total Votes				29,228

Campaign themes

2021

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Ben Loyola did not complete Ballotpedia's 2021 Candidate Connection survey.

2020

Ben Loyola completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Loyola's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I’m a 30-year Navy veteran, retired Navy Captain, and small business owner. I’m running to represent Virginia's Second Congressional District in Congress so I can continue serving my country. I was born in Cuba, where my family experienced the horrors of socialism and communism firsthand. Thanks to sacrifices my parents made, we were able to come to America when I was just two years old. We came here with nothing to our name except for the one suitcase we were allowed to take with us. We settled in Miami, where my father started his own plumbing business. I learned the value of hard work at a very early age, from helping my parents with their small business to keeping my grades up at school, thanks to their encouragement and support. That hard work paid off and I received an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy, which was followed by a 30-year career in the U.S. Navy. After returning from active duty, I started my own small business out of the guestroom in my home. 29 years later, Loyola Enterprises is still a successful engineering firm with 45 employees and headquartered in Virginia Beach. I took the oath to protect and defend the U.S. Constitution multiple times throughout my 30 years in the U.S. Navy and was honored to serve. Now I’m asking to serve again by fighting for Virginia's Second District in Congress. If there’s one thing I’ve learned in my life it’s that the American spirit can overcome any challenges, including the ones we face today.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• Principled Conservative.

• Dedicated to Service.

• Working for Us!

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am running for Congress to bring common sense, free market principles and accountability to D.C. I will always stand up for our values and our constitutional rights. In Washington, I will fight for a growing and prosperous economy, better care for our veterans, a strong national defense, and other commonsense conservative policies that ensure America continues to lead. To get our economy moving again, I believe we must have fewer regulations and preserve our free market principles. In Congress, I will protect the President's tax cuts that have created over 6.7 million jobs, further reduce burdensome regulations, and keep our economy going strong. One of the fundamental purposes of the federal government is to provide for the common defense. I will support military funding, champion advancements in technology, and bring a unique expertise that allow me to advocate for the military needs of the future. We must also keep our promises to those who have served our country. As a veteran myself, I have experienced the long wait lines, the burdensome processes, and the unnecessary regulations plaguing our veterans care programs. Our veterans deserve better! In Congress, I will cut the red tape, fix our broken Veterans Administration system, and find workable solutions that will support our nation's veterans.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

The most important characteristics for an elected official are a strong work ethic and a commitment to serving others. I served my country for thirty years in the U.S. Navy. I served my Commonwealth as vice chair and chair of the Virginia Public School Authority and through my leadership in the local Republican Party. I served my city as a Commissioner on the City of Virginia Beach Arts and Humanities Commission. I have served community in various roles, including as a leader of my community association and as the school board chairman for the St. John the Apostle Catholic School, where my two daughters attend. My entire career has been about service and working hard to deliver results. I am running for Congress so I can continue to serve our country and community.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

Ultimately, my experiences as a combat Naval Aviator and senior officer as well as in building an award-winning engineering firm, the support of my wonderful family, and my commitment to serve have equipped me to serve Virginia's Second District in Congress.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

My first job was working for my dad's small business. Every summer when I was a kid, I worked with my dad at his plumbing business. Through my parents' support, I learned the value of hard work and education at an early age. When I was in school, I kept my grades up and flourished in academics. Hard work paid off and upon graduating high school, I received an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy. This was followed by a successful thirty year career in the U.S. Navy. I would not be where I am today without my parents' encouragement and support, and my first job experience helping them with their small business was integral to that.

What is your favorite book? Why?

I have been a subscriber for years to the Sky and Telescope astronomy magazine. This is my favorite reading material in my free time. I have always been fascinated by space. Since 2004, I have served as the Chairman of the Back Bay Amateur Astronomy Association Scholarship Committee. My engineering firm, Loyola Enterprises, has done a lot of work with NASA over the years as well. I am a firm believer in investing in space research and am excited by the prospects of the new Space Force. In Congress, I will champion science and technology funding to ensure that we are able to unleash the potential of space age technology.

What do you perceive to be the United States’ greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?

The biggest challenge we face is getting our economy moving again. I am glad that Virginia is finally starting to reopen, but we must implement policies that will create an environment for businesses and people to not only recover but also to flourish. As a business owner and entrepreneur, I have experienced the challenges of leading a business to succeed in this highly over-regulated climate. While a lot of us are struggling to navigate the current crisis brought on by COVID-19, small businesses are especially hard hit. We must get them moving again. Another critical issue is eliminating our dependency on China for antibiotics, medical supplies, and other essential resources. The coronavirus pandemic and the many drug recalls in recent years expose how this has made American consumers highly vulnerable. I'll work to bring the manufacture of these crucial supplies home and protect the health and safety of Americans.

If you are not a current representative, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?

My first committee of choice would be the House Armed Services Committee. My experiences in the military and firsthand knowledge of this committee through helping Congressmen Randy Forbes and Scott Rigell while they served on it have equipped me to be able to navigate it and be an effective legislator on it from day one. Making sure that we as a nation maintain a strong national defense and stand up to our adversaries will be among my top priorities in Congress. I served under several presidents in my 30 years in the U.S. Navy, but the one I learned the most from was Ronald Reagan. It was under President Reagan's leadership that I experienced firsthand the wisdom of peace through strength. When Gaddafi attacked American forces in the Gulf of Sidra, President Reagan acted swiftly. I was part of the operation that eliminated Libya's wartime capabilities. As a bombardier navigator, I sank one of Gaddafi's gunboats. Ten years later, I was asked to return to Libya as part of a diplomatic envoy, as Libya and the U.S. had become trading partners. History shows that the only way to stop our enemies is to stand up to them. That's what I did during my Naval career and it's what I will do in Washington. The House Armed Services Committee will be the best place for me to do so.

What are your thoughts on term limits?

I support a 2-term limit for Senate and a 6-term limit for the House of Representatives, 12 years total in each chamber. This is more than enough time for an elected representative to make an impact, without becoming too entrenched. Public service should be about doing good for others, not doing well for oneself. It should not be a lifestyle or a career.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

2011

Loyola's website highlighted the following campaign themes:

The American Dream Excerpt: "We must stand for small business. We must stand for our military. We must stand for the Constitution. We must stand for freedom and we must stand for the American Dream." Jobs and the Economy Excerpt: "When the government takes its hands off of the steering wheel of industry, the free market will succeed, the economy will rebound, and the people will prosper. More jobs will be created and unemployment will decrease." Education Excerpt: "Competition amongst public and private schools for funds and students must be encouraged. This will lead to an improved school system nationwide." Taxes and the IRS Excerpt: "Ben supports tax reform to a pro-growth system that is simpler and more effective." Family Values Excerpt: "Ben is Pro-Family and will work to defend traditional marriage. A society that no longer values marriage is a society that no longer values itself. Ben is also unabashedly Pro-Life." The 2nd Amendment Excerpt: "While in the hands of criminals, guns and other weapons are tools of destruction but in the hands of law abiding citizens, they are a Constitutional right. As your Senator, Ben will fight to preserve the 2nd Amendment." Military and National Defense Excerpt: "The federal government’s highest responsibility is the protection of its citizens. We must continually equip the various branches of the military with the tools necessary to do just that." Energy Excerpt: "For the immediate future, we must utilize every tool available to help steer us towards the day we truly become energy independent. This includes the utilization of hydrogen power, clean coal, solar and wind energy, nuclear power, and the drilling for oil." Healthcare Excerpt: "If the cost of doing business for healthcare providers is lessened in exchange for the provision of free or inexpensive healthcare, millions more Americans will have access to healthcare." Immigration Excerpt: "We need to take back control of our borders and keep our citizens safe from criminals, terrorists, and other undesirables that may seek to enter the country illegally."

Personal

Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.

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Ben and his wife, Gretchen, have one daughter.

See also

2021 Elections

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Candidate

Virginia Beach Commissioner of the Revenue

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