Leon Benjamin Sr.
Leon Benjamin Sr. (Republican Party) ran in a special election to the U.S. House to represent Virginia's 4th Congressional District. He lost in the special general election on February 21, 2023.
Biography
Leon Benjamin was born in Richmond, Virginia. Benjamin served in the U.S. Navy from 1986 to 1994. He earned a bachelor's degree from Rovear Christian University in 2015. Benjamin's career experience includes owning a business and working as a pastor, mentor, community consultant, and investor. He has been affiliated with New Life Harvest Church, the Coalition of Leaders United, the Real Remnant Church, Virginians for America First, Alpha Phi Alpha, Inc., and the King Foundation.[1][2]
Elections
2023
See also: Virginia's 4th Congressional District special election, 2023
General election
Special general election for U.S. House Virginia District 4
Jennifer McClellan defeated Leon Benjamin Sr. in the special general election for U.S. House Virginia District 4 on February 21, 2023.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Jennifer McClellan (D) | 74.4 | 82,040 |
 | Leon Benjamin Sr. (R) | 25.5 | 28,083 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.1 | 129 | ||
| Total votes: 110,252 | |||
 = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Democratic convention
Special Democratic convention for U.S. House Virginia District 4
Jennifer McClellan defeated Joseph Morrissey, Tavorise Marks, and Joseph Preston in the special Democratic convention for U.S. House Virginia District 4 on December 20, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Jennifer McClellan (D) | 84.8 | 23,661 |
 | Joseph Morrissey (D) | 13.6 | 3,782 | |
 | Tavorise Marks (D) | 0.8 | 217 | |
 | Joseph Preston (D) | 0.6 | 174 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.2 | 66 | ||
| Total votes: 27,900 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Lamont Bagby (D)
Republican convention
Special Republican convention for U.S. House Virginia District 4
Leon Benjamin Sr. defeated Derrick Hollie in the special Republican convention for U.S. House Virginia District 4 on December 17, 2022.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | | Leon Benjamin Sr. (R) |
| Derrick Hollie (R) | ||
| ||||
| = 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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2022
See also: Virginia's 4th Congressional District election, 2022
General election
General election for U.S. House Virginia District 4
Incumbent Aston Donald McEachin defeated Leon Benjamin Sr. in the general election for U.S. House Virginia District 4 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Aston Donald McEachin (D) | 64.9 | 159,044 |
| Leon Benjamin Sr. (R) | 34.9 | 85,503 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.2 | 425 | ||
| Total votes: 244,972 | |||
| = 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 Aston Donald McEachin advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House Virginia District 4.
Republican primary election
The Republican primary election was canceled. Leon Benjamin Sr. advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. House Virginia District 4.
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Philip Hamilton (R)
- Michael Dickinson (R)
Endorsements
To view Benjamin's endorsements in the 2022 election, please click here.
2020
See also: Virginia's 4th Congressional District election, 2020
Virginia's 4th Congressional District election, 2020 (June 23 Democratic primary)
Virginia's 4th Congressional District election, 2020 (June 27 Republican convention)
General election
General election for U.S. House Virginia District 4
Incumbent Aston Donald McEachin defeated Leon Benjamin Sr. in the general election for U.S. House Virginia District 4 on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Aston Donald McEachin (D) | 61.6 | 241,142 |
| Leon Benjamin Sr. (R) | 38.2 | 149,625 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.1 | 578 | ||
| Total votes: 391,345 | |||
| = 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
Democratic primary for U.S. House Virginia District 4
Incumbent Aston Donald McEachin defeated R. Cazel Levine in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Virginia District 4 on June 23, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Aston Donald McEachin | 80.0 | 45,083 |
 | R. Cazel Levine | 20.0 | 11,287 | |
| Total votes: 56,370 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
Republican convention
Republican convention for U.S. House Virginia District 4
Leon Benjamin Sr. advanced from the Republican convention for U.S. House Virginia District 4 on June 27, 2020.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | | Leon Benjamin Sr. (R) |
| ||||
| = 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
- James Spivey (R)
Campaign themes
2023
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Leon Benjamin Sr. did not complete Ballotpedia's 2023 Candidate Connection survey.
Campaign website
Benjamin's campaign website stated the following:
| “ |
Defeat Division The division in our country needs to end. One of the biggest threats to America and to freedom is the polarization, division, and hate among our people. Abraham Lincoln once said, “A house divided against itself cannot stand.” Those words are still true today. We must not allow politicians, the media, the talking heads, and social media to manipulate and turn us against one another. We must not participate in the destruction of our nation. We need to fight to protect free speech – even for those we do not agree with. Healthy debate, free-thinking, and free speech are the foundation of a free nation. We must never forget that. We are all God’s creations and we all just want to be loved and listened to. We all just want to be treated with fairness and kindness. Let us always remember that. Let us get back to loving one another undeterred by our differences and unwavering against our adversaries. I am a man who loves Democrats, Republicans, Everyone, America – and I love Mightily! As a husband, a father, a navy combat veteran, and a pastor – I dream of seeing the country I’ve faithfully loved and served united instead of divided. I dream of seeing love rise up against hate. I dream of defeating division – the division that is destroying America. At this pivotal point in history, I choose to lead by example. An example, I dream, will ripple all across America as the beginning of a new movement. Together we must rise up against hate and defeat the division that is plaguing our nation. Together, we are the solution. Together, we win.
Career politicians have failed us over and over again. Because of hidden agendas, backroom deals, and corruption – the people have been left behind, forgotten, and betrayed by those elected and entrusted to represent us. America seems to no longer be “a government of the people, for the people, and by the people.” We must stop electing career politicians who do not represent us, and who do not care about us, to speak for us. We must not allow our country to be destroyed by corruption and greed. If we want to continue to remain a free country, we must reclaim our government.
We are one nation under God. Our founding fathers and the great leaders that followed, from Abraham Lincoln to Martin Luther King, Jr., all knew that our rights and our freedom came from God alone, not the government. We must teach and reinvigorate a love for our Constitution and for our country. We must also teach our history – the good, the bad, and the ugly. Let’s not be ashamed of our past or the color of our skin. Rather, let us learn and grow from the experiences (and mistakes) of those who came before us and those we walk alongside now. To prosper as a united nation and a free nation, we cannot wipe away history or rewrite it. We must recognize that which does not kill us makes us stronger! We must break the spirit of division and focus on moving forward in freedom, together as one nation. We must preserve our country. I believe that we must love our neighbor as we love ourselves.
I believe the change our nation needs begins in the home, with faith in God and a strong family structure. We need to build back confidence in the family unit and prioritize families. We must find ways to encourage and support families. Children who are raised in loving, nurturing environments with positive adult role models grow into productive members of society. God and love are central to our prosperity as a country. Recognizing the pressures and realities facing working parents today, we know children cannot always be home under a parent’s watchful eye. Providing kids with safe and accessible after-school activities is imperative to a flourishing community. When young minds and bodies are kept active and off the streets, the entire community benefits. Strong families and thriving youth are the future of Virginia.
Every child in Virginia – and across America – deserves a quality education. We are all different and each family has its own unique needs. Let’s embrace our differences and do away with a one-size-fits-all approach to families and education. Parents know what is best for their children and should be the ultimate decision-makers, especially when it comes to their education. I believe the money should follow the child. That means whether a parent chooses homeschool, private school, charter school, or public school – aid and support should not be diminished, but instead, should follow the child. If the money follows the child, parents have the flexibility to select schools based on what is best for their children, and the quality of education everywhere improves. Giving parents a choice ensures children thrive in an environment that best suits their individual needs.
Crime in Virginia’s major cities and across the nation is on the rise. Relentless vilifying of our police and repeated calls for their defunding and dismantling have fueled lawlessness, damaged police morale, and destroyed public trust in those entrusted to protect and serve. This distorted and destructive messaging has caused our entire country to suffer. We need to unite with law enforcement and fund our police. We must enforce our laws, take a hard stand against crime, and protect our law-abiding citizens. We cannot allow violent and repeat criminals to be released from prison or avoid it altogether, so they can wreak havoc upon our communities. Most importantly, in order to secure our neighborhoods, we must support and respect our men and women in blue.
We must get back to energy independence! We are a rich nation, with enough natural gas and oil already in reserves to last a generation. It is critical that we stop asking for oil from foreign countries, especially countries that don’t respect us or share our values. We must get back to producing oil for ourselves. We cannot accept rising gas prices and related increases in costs as the “new normal.” I will fight to restore our energy independence and oppose all regulatory barriers and measures that hold back domestic energy production.
To protect America and protect the vulnerable, we must protect the border. The crisis at the southern border is real, and the surge of illegal immigrants cannot be ignored or denied. If our borders continue to remain unprotected, we will continue to invite deadly drugs and dangerous criminals to wreak havoc on innocent people and on our country. An open border leaves innocent women and children vulnerable to being trafficked, raped, and exploited by criminals. In addition to those predators, the harsh terrain and climate make an illegal journey to America a deadly one. This is a tragedy that urgently needs our attention and should not be ignored. Women and children are meant to be cherished and protected. Protecting our border protects them by encouraging all to enter our country through legal and safe means. While the number of homeless Americans on our streets skyrockets and the spike of fentanyl deaths among our youth rises, countless illegal immigrants are entering our country and being rewarded with cell phones, food, and transportation to housing in cities all across our country. We must keep our vulnerable out of harm’s way by not creating an environment where illegal activity is encouraged and rewarded. We are a country of laws and for all people to thrive, we must maintain order. We cannot simply allow people to flood across our border unchecked and unlawfully. We must embrace and encourage safe and legal immigration for all.[3] |
” |
| —Leon Benjamin Sr.'s campaign website (2022)[4] | ||
2022
Leon Benjamin Sr. completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Benjamin's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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- Keep Neighborhoods Safe and Ensure Quality Education for All our Children
- Stop Increasing Gas Prices and Surging Inflation and Stop Voting to Increase National Debt and Taxes
- Protect our Freedom and Constitutional Rights and Close the Borders
Crime in Virginia’s major cities and across the nation is on the rise. For the last three years, Democrats have loudly and repeatedly called for the defunding and dismantling of police departments. This is ridiculous! Public safety requires a strong and visible police force. The Democrat-led anti-police rhetoric has fueled lawlessness and destroyed police morale – and our entire country has suffered. We need to unite WITH law enforcement, FUNDING the police and taking a hard stand against crime. We cannot sit back and allow violent and repeat criminals to be released from jail or to avoid incarceration altogether. We must be hard on crime, enforcing the laws, preventing repeat offenders, and protecting our law-abiding citizens. Most importantly, we must support and respect our men and women in blue. That said, however, I believe that keeping our neighborhoods safe begins in the home, with faith in God and a strong family structure. We need to build back confidence in the family unit and prioritize families. Children who are raised in loving, nurturing environments with positive adult role models grow into productive members of society. God and love are central to our prosperity as a country. Of course, children are not always at home under a parent’s watchful
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.
2020
Leon Benjamin Sr. completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Benjamin's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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- Loving Husband of twenty- eight years to soulmate Maria and father of three wonderful children - Delcarmen, Leon Jr. and Destiny. A Mentor to many who only needed a chance to live out their purpose.
- As a Gulf War Veteran, service to God and Country go hand in hand. Our Constitution must be protected from foreign and domestic enemies.
- Governments main role is to protect the Rights of the People which come from God and not Government. When the People fear the Government tyranny is present, but when the Government fears the People their is Liberty.
We as American Citizens deserve the highest and best education that can be provided. School Choice along with grant base incentives can provide more options for failing locals, give residents an escape from poor performing schools and create an environment for positive competition for locals that want to improve their performance.
Economic Development
Economic Development Our region is prime for Economic Renewal through Opportunity Zone Projects. Full scale Redeveloment Projects that afford these zones to create affordable housing, launch thousands of new jobs, implement certification programs and support small business launches are just what our 4th Congressional District need.
Medical Development
We must address the main topics within our health policy: Mental health stigma and funding, Minority and Latino Health opportunities, and Defending the 2nd Amendment as necessary to curtail Violence and Criminal activity within our neighborhoods. Other issues related to health care for all, such as providing an Alternative to the Affordable Care Act, exposing the downfall of initiating Medicare for all, and giving women more options to creating a healthy family as to not having to end the life of the unborn.
Science & Technology
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.
See also
2023 Elections
External links
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Candidate U.S. House Virginia District 4 |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on October 8, 2022
- ↑ ’’Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on January 26, 2020’’
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Benjamin For Congress, “Issues,” accessed January 2, 2023
