Donald Beyer

Donald Sternoff Beyer Jr. is a Democratic politician and businessman currently serving as the U.S. Representative for Virginia's 8th congressional district. He was first elected to the House in 2014 and assumed office on January 3, 2015. Beyer holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Williams College, where he graduated magna cum laude in 1972. Before his congressional career, he spent several decades managing the Beyer Automotive Group, a family-owned business in Northern Virginia. Beyer’s public service career includes serving as the 36th Lieutenant Governor of Virginia from 1990 to 1998, where he worked on disabilities rights and welfare reform. In 2009, President Barack Obama appointed him as the U.S. Ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein, a role he held until 2013. In Congress, Beyer has held significant leadership roles, including serving as the Chair of the Joint Economic Committee and as a member of the House Committee on Ways and Means. He is also known for his work on the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology and his advocacy for the federal workforce.

Beyer’s policy platform emphasizes climate action, economic growth through trade, and social equity. He is a prominent advocate for environmental legislation, supporting tax incentives for electric vehicles and the Inflation Reduction Act to facilitate the transition to a green economy. On economic matters, he supports progressive tax reforms and has been a vocal critic of broad tariffs, while advocating for trade agreements that secure critical minerals. Beyer is a steadfast supporter of reproductive rights, having voted for the Women’s Health Protection Act, and advocates for expanding healthcare access through the Affordable Care Act. Additionally, he supports comprehensive immigration reform, including protections and paths to citizenship for DACA recipients. He also consistently backs gun violence prevention measures such as universal background checks and red flag laws.