Biography of Representative Ben Cline

Benjamin Lee Cline is a Republican U.S. Representative serving Virginia's 6th Congressional District since 2019. Born on February 29, 1972, in Stillwater, Oklahoma, Cline grew up in the Shenandoah Valley region of Virginia and has built a career in law and public service focused on conservative fiscal policy and governmental accountability.

Education

Cline graduated from Lexington High School in 1990. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Bates College and received his Juris Doctor from the University of Richmond. During law school, he served as president of an internet support services company.

Political Experience

Early Career

Before entering elective office, Cline worked as an attorney in multiple capacities. He served as an Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney for Rockingham County and the City of Harrisonburg from 2007 to 2013, and later opened a private law practice with offices in Lexington, Amherst, and Harrisonburg. He also worked for Congressman Bob Goodlatte, beginning as a legislative staff member in 1994 and eventually serving as the Congressman's Chief of Staff.

Virginia House of Delegates

Cline was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates in a special election in 2002, representing the 24th District, and served until 2018. During his tenure, he chaired the Committee on Militia, Police, and Public Safety and earned recognition as a fiscal conservative. As Chairman of the Conservative Caucus, he championed legislation to prevent tax increases and reduce bureaucratic waste while maintaining a reputation for holding elected officials accountable across party lines.

U.S. House of Representatives

Since his election to Congress in 2018, Cline has served on the House Committee on the Judiciary, the House Committee on Appropriations, the House Committee on the Budget, and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. He was the first freshman Republican to successfully pass legislation signed into law during his first legislative session. He has been reelected three times and is married to Elizabeth; they have two daughters and reside in Botetourt County.