
Rio Phillips
West Virginia Democratic Senate nominee?
Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleMedia and marketing entrepreneur
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyProgressive Democrat
LocationWest Virginia
BackgroundMedia and marketing entrepreneur
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Notable personal detailsRio Phillips is a Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in West Virginia in the 2026 election cycle. He has described himself as a media and marketing entrepreneur and has also been described in coverage as a newcomer to West Virginia who moved to the state in 2020. His campaign has emphasized policies including Medicare for All, clean water, and infrastructure improvements.
SourcesShowHide
Positions
Economy & Taxes
The candidate’s public platform emphasizes expanded social programs (Medicare for All, $20 minimum wage, paid family leave, canceling medical debt and student loans), reductions in military spending to reinvest domestically, and measures to attract investment (a corporate tax incentive program). The campaign materials do not include a clear, explicit statement about raising or lowering federal tax rates on high-income individuals or corporations, producing a mixed or unclear position on tax changes.
Healthcare
Supports Medicare for All and a broad expansion of public healthcare access, including lower prescription drug costs, protecting rural hospitals, and dramatically expanded mental-health services. Also calls to cancel medical debt and expand social services.
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Climate & Energy
The candidate identifies as a progressive and lists "climate justice" and clean water among campaign priorities, supporting expanded clean-energy and environmental protections as part of a broader progressive platform. The campaign frames these goals within working-class economic and public-health priorities rather than specifying aggressive fossil-fuel phase-out timelines or explicit Green New Deal legislation.
Public Safety & Guns
The candidate identifies as pro-Second Amendment and states strong support for legal, safe, and responsible gun ownership. The platform emphasizes constitutional defense and upholding gun ownership rights without proposing major new firearm restrictions.
Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 20262026
LatestCycle 2026
Source: FEC
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We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
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