Paul Riley
Democrat
About
Why He's Running
Paul is running for Congress to bring principled leadership and practical solutions to Virginia’s 5th District. He is guided by a simple mission: put people before politics, protect the earned benefits of veterans and working families, and ensure the voices of everyday Virginians are heard over the noise of special interests.
20+ Years of Service
Paul Riley is a retired U.S. Army veteran with over 20 years of service as a military intelligence officer, including a combat tour in Iraq for which he was awarded the Bronze Star. After serving at duty stations around the world, Paul and his wife, Jani, settled in Crozet in 2010, where they raised their three children: McKenna, Nathaniel, and Keegan. From 2010 to 2023, Paul worked at the National Ground Intelligence Center. Today, he continues his national service as a defense contractor and intelligence professional, advising on critical security issues facing the United States.
Positions
Economic Renewal for Rural Virginia
As your Congressman, Paul is committed to being a strong voice for Virginia’s farmers, producers, agribusinesses, and rural families in Washington. He will prioritize practical, results-driven policies that support the backbone of the 5th District’s economy—agriculture and rural enterprise. Paul will work to advance the interests of Virginia’s crop and livestock producers by addressing trade challenges, improving access to capital, and expanding opportunities in both domestic and international markets. He will advocate for policies that safeguard the viability of family farms and ensure the long-term strength of Virginia’s rural economy.
Protecting Healthcare & Hard-Earned Benefits
Paul is unwavering in his commitment: No cuts to Medicare, Medicaid, or Social Security—period. He will fight to expand healthcare access in rural communities through greater support for telehealth, mobile clinics, and local healthcare providers. No cuts to Medicare, Medicaid, or Social Security. Period. As Paul meets with seniors, families, and healthcare professionals across Virginia’s 5th District, one issue comes up again and again: skyrocketing prescription drug costs. He knows too many Virginians are being forced to make impossible choices between paying for medication or putting food on the table. That must change. Paul believes every Virginian deserves access to affordable, high-quality healthcare, regardless of income or zip code. He will protect Virginia’s Medicaid expansion, work to lower prescription drug prices, and strengthen protections for those with preexisting conditions.
https://paulrileyforcongress.com/veterans-first-not-forgotten/
As a proud U.S. Army veteran Paul understands the sacrifices made by those who serve—and he’s committed to ensuring every veteran in Virginia’s 5th District receives the support they’ve earned. As a veteran himself, Paul Riley will make sure Washington honors its promises. With more than 48,000 veterans living in the district, Paul will fight to fully fund the Department of Veterans Affairs, improve access to timely, high-quality care, and ensure that no veteran falls through the cracks of a broken bureaucracy. That means cutting red tape around benefits processing, accelerating disability claim decisions, and expanding access to mental health services and suicide prevention programs. Paul also recognizes that support can’t stop when a uniform comes off. He’ll champion stronger transition programs for service members returning to civilian life, ensuring they have the tools, training, and opportunities to succeed in their next chapter.
Fair and Equitable Tax Reform
Paul is committed to building an economy that works for everyone—not just the ultra-wealthy and well-connected. That starts with closing corporate tax loopholes and ending the billions of dollars in special-interest giveaways that benefit billionaires and multinational corporations at the expense of working families. It’s time for a fair tax code that rewards hard work, not financial engineering. Paul will fight to restore balance and transparency in our tax system so that the biggest corporations pay their fair share. Small businesses are the engine of local economies—and they deserve the same opportunities and support as large corporations. At the same time, Paul believes in simplifying the tax system to better support middle- and working-class families—the backbone of Virginia’s 5th District. By cutting red tape and reducing tax burdens on everyday Americans, Paul will help families keep more of what they earn and make it easier to plan for their future. Whether it’s saving for college, buying a home, or caring for loved ones, Virginians deserve a tax system that puts their needs first—not one designed to protect the status quo for the wealthiest few.
