Rick Hillenbrand
Republican | West Virginia
Candidate Profile*
Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
EDUCATION
State University of NY, Maritime College at Fort Schuyler, Bronx, Bachelor of Engineering, 1978
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Master of Science, 1984
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Campbridge, Ocean Engineer, 1984
WORK & MILITARY
Navy, Commander, 20+, 1978-1999
AFFILIATIONS
Boy Scouts of America, Council and Regional Executive Boards, National Commissioner Service Team (past), Area Commissioner, Council Commissioner, District Commissioner, Unit Leader, 2007-2026
Bluffs on the Potomac Property Owners Association (elected 4x), President, VP, Secretary, 2020-2024
St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, Trustee, Treasurer and Worship Leader II, 2013-2026
Lynnhaven Baseball (PONY League), Assistant Coach, 1994-1996
Republican Party, County Executive Board Advisor, Member, 2022-2026
American Legion, Member, 2022-2026
National Rifle Association, Member, 2022-2026
American Society of Naval Engineers, Member, 1978-2026
Society of Naval Architects & Marine Engineers, Past Member, 1978-2010
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
WV House of Delegates, 2023-2026
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
WV House of Delegates, 2026-
SCORECARDS
CONSERVATIVE ORGANIZATIONS
2024
A
2023
100%
2025
89%
2025
89%, 88%†
2024
|A
2023
|100%
2025
|89%
2025
|89%, 88%†
LIBERAL ORGANIZATIONS
ENDORSEMENTS*
CONSERVATIVE (3)
National Rifle Association NRA-PVF
West Virginians for Life PAC
Stand For Health Freedom
LIBERAL (5)
West Virginia AFL-CIO
*United Mine Workers of America UMWA COMPAC
West Virginia Association for Justice
Communications Workers of America CWA District 2-13
LiUNA Laborers’ District Council WV Appalachian
OTHER (5)
West Virginia Farm Bureau PAC
West Virginia Business and Industry Council WVBIC
West Virginia Coal Association
West Virginia Sheriffs' Association
Home Builders Association West Virginia HBAWV
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (7)
NRA Political Victory Fund
Building & Construction Trades
International Union of Operating Engineers
United Mine Workers of America
WV Beer Wholesalers Association
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (4)
Rick Hillenbrand (2026)
Local, County, and District Republican Organizations (2025)
Make America Great Again Again (2020)
WinRed (2020)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (1)
Rick Hillenbrand (2026)
LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (0)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (6)
Communication Workers of America (2026)
International Union of Operating Engineers (2026)
Laborers International Union of N. America (national, state & local) (2026)
United Mine Workers of America (2026)
Building Trades Councils (2024)
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Strongly Agree
Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?
Medical necessity to save the life of the mother, reported rape and incest within timeframes established by WV law.
Human life deserves legal protection from conception until natural death.
Strongly Agree
The lives of human embryos created through artificial methods ought to be protected from purposeful destruction.
Strongly Agree
I believe human life deserves respect and protection from conception, regardless of whether conception occurs naturally or through assisted reproductive technology. I recognize the tremendous blessing that IVF and other fertility treatments have provided to families struggling with infertility, and I support helping couples build families. At the same time, those treatments should be practiced in ways that respect human life and seek to avoid the intentional destruction of viable human embryos.
The Comstock Act, which bans interstate transportation of abortion-inducing drugs, should be enforced.
Strongly Agree
ECONOMY
What is your position on the minimum wage?
Let each state set their own consistent with Federal minimum wage. The value of a dollar in WV is very different than a dollar in CA.
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Agree
List your top 3-5 priorities to eliminate government waste.
My top priorities are: aggressively eliminate fraud, waste and abuse; require timely, transparent reporting of state spending through the WV Checkbook; protect the safety net while ensuring able-bodied individuals do not become long-term “system riders”; eliminate duplicative or ineffective programs; and strengthen competitive bidding, contract oversight and accountability to ensure taxpayers receive value for every dollar spent.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
What does "separation of church and state" mean to you?
That the government does not endorse or support one religion over another, nor does it require you to be a "member" of, or support financially, a government sanctioned religion.
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Disagree
HEALTHCARE
What most closely matches your view on healthcare: A) Healthcare for all should be guaranteed and funded by the government with no private healthcare option. (includes "universal healthcare," "medicare for all," etc.) B) Healthcare insurance funded by the government should be available for all who want it, along with private healthcare options. C) Medicaid and Medicare should remain available, but no other taxpayer-funded programs are necessary. D) Taxpayer funded health care should be abolished in all forms, and Medicaid and Medicare should be defunded.
Modified B): Government SPONSORED Healthcare insurance, available through beneficiary funded premiums, should be available for all who want it, along with private healthcare options.
The government should keep a database of people with various ongoing medical illnesses to assess the economic burden of treatment.
Disagree
NATIONAL SECURITY
The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.
Strongly Agree
Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?
Yes. After more than two decades of military service, I believe strongly that America is safer when we stand firmly with capable allies who share our interests, confront common enemies, and are willing and able to defend themselves. Israel is such an ally.
IMMIGRATION
I support the existence of sanctuary cities to protect undocumented persons.
Strongly Disagree
"Undocumented persons" is just a way of saying "ILLEGAL immigrant" with the emphasis on ILLEGAL.
EDUCATION
I support eliminating the U.S. Department of Education and giving control back to states and communities.
Agree
In the past the Department of Education has become a bastion of teaching anti-American values. Once completely overhauled, and the ties to the teaching unions is permanently broken I think the Department of Education could get back to honestly pursuing its mission (“To promote student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access.”) without bias.
Foreign governments should be prohibited from funding American education.
Strongly Agree
VALUES
Government should recognize and support the fundamental right and essential duty of parents to direct their child's health and educational well-being.
Strongly Agree
Attempts to physically or socially transition a child to the opposite sex constitute child abuse.
Strongly Agree
Marriage is a God-ordained, sacred and legal union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition.
Strongly Agree
In my opinion, marriage is a bond made with God as a partner. Those wanting similar benefits without the benefit of God should obtain a "Civil Union" but not call it a marriage.
I support the expansion of gambling in my state.
Neutral
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I am a Christian and Episcopalian who has accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. As a lifelong Scout and Scout leader, I also deeply value the principle of a duty to God and respect the sincere religious beliefs of others. I believe faith in a higher power provides an essential foundation for morality, personal responsibility, and accountability beyond ourselves. A healthy society depends upon people recognizing that our actions have consequences and that there are moral truths and obligations greater than our individual desires.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
As the Chair of the WV Election Integrity caucus I strongly believe in the sanctity of our elections and that each eligible voter should be confident in the fact that every voter only gets one vote, and that it is accurately tabulated.
EQUALITY
Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.
Strongly Disagree
I oppose government reparations based solely on race. No American alive today legally owned slaves or was legally enslaved under the system abolished in 1865. Government should address present-day discrimination when it occurs and enforce equal protection under the law, but it should not impose inherited guilt or entitlement based on ancestry or skin color. Our goal should be equal opportunity for every American.
Biological males should not be allowed to participate in women's sports or occupy biological women's spaces whether it be bathrooms, locker rooms, sorority houses, women's shelters, or prison.
Strongly Agree
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
Man-made climate change is a global threat and requires urgent political action.
Strongly Disagree
What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?
Nuclear power. It provides reliable 24/7 baseload electricity regardless of weather, with a small land footprint. As demand from manufacturing and data centers grows, nuclear should be a key part of an all-of-the-above energy strategy.
ABOUT YOU
When you consider your views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to foreign policy and religious liberty, which of the following best describes you overall?
Conservative
Have you ever been penalized for sexual misconduct in either civil or criminal court? If so, please explain.
NO!
Have you ever been convicted of a felony? If so, please explain.
NO!
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
What should be the goal of the criminal justice system?
The criminal justice system should protect society, hold offenders accountable, provide justice for victims, and deter future crime. Where appropriate, it should also provide rehabilitation and a path to becoming a productive citizen. Punishment should fit the crime, while public safety and victims’ rights remain paramount.
Government has a responsibility to protect children from sexual exploitation during online activities.
Strongly Agree
Sharia law should not be accepted or incorporated in any form within the legal framework of the United States.
Strongly Agree
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
I support the Second Amendment right of law-abiding Americans to keep and bear arms. Public safety is best protected by vigorously enforcing existing laws against violent criminals and illegal gun use, and keeping firearms from those legally adjudicated as dangerous—not by imposing additional burdens on responsible gun owners. We should focus on criminals and criminal behavior, not the millions of Americans who safely exercise a constitutional right.
