Ken Mitchell
Ken Mitchell (Democratic Party) is running for election to the U.S. House to represent Virginia's 6th Congressional District. He declared candidacy for the 2026 election.[source]
Biography
Ken Mitchell served in the U.S. Army. His career experience includes working in telecommunications, farming, construction, and engineering.[1][2]
Elections
2026
See also: Virginia's 6th Congressional District election, 2026
General election
The general election will occur on November 3, 2026.
General election for U.S. House Virginia District 6
Incumbent Benjamin Lee Cline, Pete Barlow, and Ken Mitchell are running in the general election for U.S. House Virginia District 6 on November 3, 2026.
Candidate | ||
 | Benjamin Lee Cline (R) | |
| Pete Barlow (D) | ||
 | Ken Mitchell (D) | |
| ||||
 = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Endorsements
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2024
See also: Virginia's 6th Congressional District election, 2024
Virginia's 6th Congressional District election, 2024 (June 18 Republican primary)
Virginia's 6th Congressional District election, 2024 (June 18 Democratic primary)
General election
General election for U.S. House Virginia District 6
Incumbent Benjamin Lee Cline defeated Ken Mitchell and Robert Wells Jr. in the general election for U.S. House Virginia District 6 on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Benjamin Lee Cline (R) | 63.1 | 256,933 |
| Ken Mitchell (D) | 34.8 | 141,612 | |
 | Robert Wells Jr. (Independent) | 2.0 | 7,980 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.1 | 510 | ||
| Total votes: 407,035 | |||
| = 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. Ken Mitchell advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House Virginia District 6.
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Rod Grandon (D)
Republican primary election
The Republican primary election was canceled. Incumbent Benjamin Lee Cline advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. House Virginia District 6.
Endorsements
Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Mitchell in this election.
Campaign themes
2026
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
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2024
2024
Video for Ballotpedia
| Video submitted to Ballotpedia Released September 16, 2024 |
Ken Mitchell completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Mitchell's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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His private sector career includes work for a large telecom corporation; small business owner as a licensed contractor, and he oversaw infrastructure renovations at Monticello. He also helped upgrade local water systems in the 6th District.
Ken currently lives on a small farm in Rockingham County with his fiancee Michele. He is ready to bring principled leadership and pragmatic problem-solving to Congress.- Jobs and the Economy Ken Mitchell prioritizes revitalizing the economy and creating robust job opportunities for all Americans. Ken advocates for policies promoting job growth, fair wages, and worker protections. He understands the importance of investing in infrastructure, renewable energy projects, and small businesses to stimulate economic development and create jobs. Additionally, he champions measures to address income inequality and supports initiatives to provide training and educational resources to ensure that all individuals have the opportunity to secure meaningful employment. Ken’s stance underscores the fundamental belief that a thriving economy should benefit everyone, not just the privileged few.
- Education Ken is committed to ensuring every student can access a high-quality public education. With a deep understanding of the importance of education in shaping the future, Ken advocates for increased funding for public schools, support for teacher education programs in public universities, and paying educators the professional salaries they deserve. All students need adequate access to technology, including investment in rural broadband. Disparities between urban and rural schools in the Sixth District must be addressed. All children deserve equal opportunities regardless of ZIP code. Ken’s positive stance on education encompasses a vision of innovative learning environments that empower students to thrive and succeed.
- Women’s Reproductive Rights Women’s rights are human rights, and in America, they’re under siege. The 2022 Supreme Court reversal of Roe v. Wade and efforts to restrict abortion and reproductive care are unacceptable. In Congress, I will champion federal legislation to protect women’s right to choose and defend bodily autonomy. Women also face ongoing struggles for equal pay and respect in the workplace. We must ensure equal pay for equal work and protect women from violence and harassment everywhere. I’m committed to securing the Equal Rights Amendment as the 28th Amendment to the Constitution to guarantee gender equality.
Trickle-down economics has failed. In the Sixth District, 44% of workers can’t save or earn a living wage despite multiple jobs. Economic insecurity harms democracy, driving people away from civic engagement and towards divisive rhetoric.
To protect democracy, we must:
-Rebuild economic security and community support.
-Address the mental health crisis by fostering mutual care.
-Ensure Congress secures reproductive rights and protects all individuals’ dignity, regardless of gender or sexual orientation.
Another key responsibility is working to bring equitable resources and opportunities to our community, so that we have access to quality healthcare, education, and economic development. We must also focus on protecting our environment and natural resources, which are vital to both our way of life and our local economy.
Economic Disparity: Rural communities, including those in Virginia, have often been left behind in economic progress. We need to prioritize policies that invest in local infrastructure, support small businesses, and ensure access to high-speed internet. By fostering economic growth in our rural areas, we can create good-paying jobs and build resilient local economies.
Healthcare Access: Many rural areas struggle with limited access to healthcare services. It's essential to expand healthcare coverage and support rural health clinics. We must work towards making healthcare more affordable and accessible for everyone, regardless of where they live.
Climate Change and Environmental Protection: Climate change is impacting agriculture, water resources, and natural landscapes in rural areas. We need to address these environmental challenges with sustainable practices and investments in clean energy to protect our communities and natural heritage for future generations.
Educational Opportunities: Our rural schools often face challenges with funding and resources. Investing in education is crucial for providing our children with the tools they need to succeed. We must ensure that all students, regardless of their location, have access to quality education and opportunities.
Political Polarization: The increasing division in our political landscape can hinder progress and compromise. It’s vital to promote dialogue and find common ground, focusing on issues that unite us rather than divide us.
I believe that every taxpayer has a right to know how their hard-earned money is being spent. This means pushing for clear, accessible financial reports from government agencies and ensuring that there are strict penalties for those who mismanage public funds. Transparency also involves open communication about how decisions are made and the impact they will have on our rural communities.
Moreover, I am committed to supporting legislation that strengthens oversight mechanisms and reduces bureaucratic red tape, making it easier for citizens to hold their government accountable. In Washington, I will advocate for policies that enhance transparency in government spending and increase accountability to ensure that every dollar is used efficiently and effectively to benefit our district.
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.
Campaign website
Mitchell’s campaign website stated the following:
| “ |
Ken’s Assumptions and Commitments Trickle-down economics has failed America. Decades of tax policies favoring the wealthy and large corporations have not resulted in the promised shared prosperity... Economic insecurity endangers democracy. When people live under constant stress, they have no time to engage in civic life... We must reinvest in the common good. Functional communities are essential for individual well-being and democracy... We are facing an unprecedented attack on a fundamental building block of our democracy. The courts and some elected leaders are treading on our right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness... |
” |
| —Ken Mitchell’s campaign website (2024)[4] | ||
Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
See also
2026 Elections
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Ken Mitchell for Congress, "Meet Ken," accessed June 10, 2024
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on September 26, 2024
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Ken Mitchell’s campaign website, “Issues,” accessed June 10, 2024
