Profile Photo
Don BeyerDEMDemocrat United States Representative, VA-8
73
Years of Age
18
Years of Experience
VAResidence (state)

Donald Sternoff Beyer Jr. (BY-ər; born June 20, 1950) is an American businessman, diplomat, and politician serving as the U.S. representative for Virginia's 8th congressional district since 2015. A member of the Democratic Party, his district is in the heart of Northern Virginia and includes Alexandria, Falls Church, and Arlington. Beyer has owned automobile dealerships in Virginia and has a long record of involvement in community and philanthropic work. From 1990 to 1998 he served as the 36th lieutenant governor of Virginia during the gubernatorial administrations of Doug Wilder (1990–1994) and George Allen (1994–1998). His party's nominee for governor of Virginia in 1997, he lost to Republican Jim Gilmore, who was then the Attorney General of Virginia. From 2009 to 2013, he served as United States Ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein under President Barack Obama.In 2014, Beyer announced his candidacy for the U.S. House of Representatives seat for Virginia's 8th congressional district held by the retiring Jim Moran. Beyer won the 12-candidate Democratic primary in June with 45% of the vote and defeated Republican Micah Edmond, 63% to 33%, in the general election.

Voterly's Issue Scores  (1 - 29 of 29)

Below lists the position this politician has taken on a political issue. The star rating represents the politician's prioritization and action on the issue based on data collected by relevant interest groups. Select an issue to view a more in-depth explanation of each rating.

Special Interest Group Ratings

Interest Groups That SUPPORT
Rating
Interest Groups That OPPOSE
Rating
Average Score

Disclaimer: A special interest group's positions on issues are gathered from various reputable sources including the organization's website, social media accounts, press releases, and other public communications. Special interest group politician ratings are provided by VoteSmart.org. Positions and ratings are subject to change and we may experience delays, interruptions, or errors, as a result. If you believe this information is inaccurate, please submit a problem report. Submit Report.

0 / 29
Education4 - 4 of 2
Williams College
BA Economics
1968 - 1972
Wellesley College
Attended
1971
Past Positions1 - 11 of 11
Representative
United States House of Representatives, Virginia
2014 - Current
Lieutenant Governor
Commonwealth of Virginia
1990 - 1998
President
Virginia General Assembly
1990 - 1998
Ambassador
Switzerland & Liechtenstein, United States Department of State
2009 - 2013
Chair
Mid-Atlantic Finance, Obama for America
2007 - 2008
Treasurer
Howard Dean, Dean for America
2003 - 2004
Owner
Beyer Subaru
1999 - Current
Owner
Land Rover Alexandria
1997 - Current
Northern Virginia Chair
Gerald Baliles Campaign
1984 - 1985
Owner
Don Beyer Automotive Group
1974 - Current
Former Virginia Chair
Clinton-Gore and Kerry-Edwards Campaigns
Other Experience1 - 43 of 43
Chair
Outreach Subcommittee, Christ Church in Alexandria
Current
Board Chair
Act for Alexandria
2004 - 2009
Chair
Jobs for Virginia Graduates
1996 - 2009
Member
Board of Trustees, The Potomac School
2005 - 2009
Chair
American International Automobile Dealers Association
2000 - 2007
Finance Chairman
Mark Warner's Forward Together campaign
2006
Member
Commonwealth Transportation Board
1987 - 1990
Member
Governor's Commission on Efficiency in Government
1986 - 1988
Chair
Accountability for Educational Excellence
Chair
Advisory Board, Alexandria Community Trust
Co-Founder
Northern Virginia Technology Council
Former Board Member
Demosphere International
Former Board Member
Shenandoah Life Insurance Company
Former Board Member
History Associates
Former Board Member
Lightly Expressed
Former Chair
Virginia Economic Recovery Commission
Former Chair
Governor's Commission on Welfare Reform
Former Member
Northern Virginia Business Roundtable
Former Member
Washington Community Foundation
Former Member
American Red Cross
Former Member
Virginia's Poverty and Welfare Reform Commission
Former Member
National Volvo Dealer Council
Former Member, Board of Directors
D.C. Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy
Former President
Youth for Tomorrow
Former President
Falls Church Chamber of Commerce
Former Virginia Board Member
First Union National Bank
Former Volunteer
Barack Obama Senator Caucus Race
Former Volunteer
Al Gore Presidential Campaign
Member
American Cancer Society
Member
Commission on Child Sexual Assault
Member
Phi Beta Kappa
Former Member
House Science, Space, and Technology Subcommittee on Research and Technology
Former Member
Natural Resources Committee, United States House of Representatives
Former Member
Energy and Mineral Resources Subcommittee, United States House of Representatives
Former Member
Water, Power and Oceans Subcommittee, United States House of Representatives
Former Member
Subcommittee on Federal Lands, United States House of Representatives
Former Member
Research & Technology Subcommittee, United States House of Representatives
Former Member
Space Subcommittee, United States House of Representatives
Former Member
Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight (Science, Space, and Technology), United States House of Representatives
Former Member
Subcommittee on Environment (Science, Space and Technology), United States House of Representatives
Former Member
Subcommittee on Select Revenue Measures, United States House of Representatives
Former Member
House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology
Former Ranking Member
Oversight Subcommittee, United States House of Representatives