Pete Barlow has confirmed that he will not be running for the Sixth District Democratic Party congressional nomination, and that he is endorsing bestselling author Beth Macy for the nomination.
“It is time to pull together and refocus on the most important goal – defeating Ben Cline. Today, I am endorsing Beth Macy to take on that do-nothing Trump sycophant who harms our neighbors with casual disregard,” said Barlow, a Rockingham County native, former Peace Corps high school biology teacher, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service administrator and FEMA program analyst.
More from the endorsement:
“Beth has invited me to join her work toward ensuring that farmland is protected, that we are good stewards of our natural resources, that we maintain public access and good management, and that data center development is subject to significant guardrails. I will continue to emphasize our need for local dairy and beef processing centers, and for public access to our rivers and streams.
“Unlike Ben Cline, she believes that good education for all, affordable healthcare, openly listening to constituents on both sides of the aisle, and improving I-81 and other public infrastructure should take precedence over the wishes of Donald Trump and the billionaires who support him.”
I could easily see Pete Barlow not only being an asset during the 2026 campaign, but as a policy staffer in a Beth Macy congressional office.