Campaign Website:
https://benjamin4congress.com/

Campaign POC: 
Not provided.

Phone Number: (804) 833-0314

Campaign Email: info@benjamin4congress.com

Vetting Panel Selected: Pending.

Interview Completed: 16 Feb 2023

Biography: Leon Benjamin is the Senior Pastor and Bishop of 21 years of New Life Harvest Church in Richmond, VA. and also pastors a grassroots church of one and a half years, The Real Remnant Church, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Bishop Benjamin, a former Democrat and a Navy Combat Veteran of the Gulf Wars. He is an emerging evangelical leader, Congressional Candidate for Virginia’s 4th District and is on the national front as a media spokesperson and conservative political activist. He worked during Trump Administration as surrogate for Minority Outreach inside Opportunity Zones and Criminal Justice Reform Initiatives. He was a Fox News Contributor and appeared on Fox and Friends and Fox Business. Leon initiated a grassroots voter integrity coalition call Virginians for America First (VFAF) in 2021 to begin to solve many questions around Election Integrity. Leon was instrumental in contributing to helping Virginia to win a Republican Majority in the Governor’s, Lt. Gov, AG and State House of Delegate seats in 2021. He is married 31 years to his wife, Maria and has 3 beautiful children, Delcarmen, Leon Jr. and Destiny.

What are your priorities?

Defending the Constitution from Foreign and Domestic Threats. Securing our First & Second Amendments which will strengthen our Family, Education, Economy, National Security and Foreign Relations.

Why you? Just like you, I am an everyday citizen who loves my family, my community, and my country. I have a passion for people. You could say – I am a people person. I truly enjoy spending time talking, laughing, and getting to know people – even those who don’t agree with me. I love all people. Truly, I do.

All people matter to me, and I am tired of seeing them manipulated. I am tired of seeing them divided and driven to hate one another. I will no longer watch career politicians and the media turn people against one another, and bring destruction upon us all. Divided we will fall, but united will we stand. I believe in the strength and the spirit of the American people and I will not rest until we are united.

Many of you know, this is my third time running for congress, and while some are naysayers – I say not so fast. Each time I run, I get to know you better. I learn from you. I become more inspired by you. Now more than ever, I am energized for you. And while the battle is not an easy one, I will not give up on you because I am confident there is no better person to be your voice than me. I am not a politician. I am a people person – and I care about you.

Together, let’s show this country what Virginians are made of. Let the first ripple of change for a better country start with us. Let’s be a beacon of light to a weary, divided nation. Together, let us answer the call to defend freedom to defeat division, and to deliver America from destruction.

Endorsements:
Governor Glenn Youngkin
Lt. Gov Winsome Earle-Sears
Attorney General Jason Miyares
Dr. Ben Carson
Dr. Carol Swain
Virginia GOP Chairman Richard Anderson
Congressman Bob Good
Congressman Rob Wittman
Diante Johnson of Black Conservative Confederation
Kimberly Klacik of Red Renaissance
Joe Collins, BlackPAC (Black, Latinos, Asian, Caucasian Knowledge)
Carla Spalding
Christie Hutcherson of Women Fighting for America
Doug Billings of Right Side Broadcasting
Hermie Sadler
Lt. Gen Michael Flynn
Mike Lindell
Kash Patel
Congressman Mark Meadows
Seth Keshel
Congressman Paul Gosar

Veterans for America First
American Veterans Vote

Ken Cuccinelli, 46th Attorney General of Virginia
BlakPac
Patriots for Freedom PAC
Chesterfield Fraternal Order of Police
Government is Not God, PAC (Source: https://benjamin4congress.com/)

Education: 1986 – Huguenot High School
1986-87 – University of Virginia
1987-89 – Virginia Union University
2012-2015 – Rovear University – BA in Religious Studies, Masters in Christian Education
2019 – D. James Kennedy Statemen Program

Relevant Employment History: US Navy, US Postal Service, Long & Foster Real Estate, Capitol One, New Life Harvest Church

Military Experience / Branch / Years of Service / Rank / Type of Discharge:1986-1994 – US Navy, E-3, Honorable Discharge

Past Offices Held and Tenure: Richmond City Committee Chair

Community Service:

2002 – Present – New Life Harvest Church, Richmond, VA
2021 – Present – The Real Remnant Church, Tulsa, Ok
2014 – present – Richmond City Police Faith Leaders Program
2004 – present – Summer Camp Program

Leadership Experience: 

Apostle & Bishop of Apostolic Network – World Federation Council of Churches, Receiving Power for Action
Liaison Director for Opportunity Zone Programs in the State of Virginia & Criminal Justice Reform Programs in Coordination with BOP (Bureau of Prisons)
Board of Director on King Foundation with Dr. Alveda King
Board of Director on Youth for Life Foundation

Personal Strengths: I love helping people be their best selves. I am a strong communicator. I love my family and my children. I am a good listener. I love seeing the underdog win!

What is the most important thing Virginians need to know about you? We need to know that my desire is to see a community that transcends party lines and to unite all people together regardless of party, race or color or gender or economic status.

How would your friends and family describe you? A man that is fair, transparent, compassionate and loving. What you see is what you get. A man of faith and prayer who desires to see all men saved and come to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. A man who loves his wife and children and his community.
 

What are your thoughts on the Constitution as the Law of the Land? Professes uncompromising conservative values regarding this issue. (Source: https://benjamin4congress.com/)

What are your thoughts on religious liberty? We must protect our first amendment rights, especially that of religious liberty. We should be free to worship God and not fear government backlash. Professes uncompromising conservative values regarding this issue. (Source: https://benjamin4congress.com/)

What are your thoughts on the preservation of our history? Our nation was built on Christian principles. We should not be ashamed of our path and journey to this present time but learn from it and teach others not to repeat the mistakes made. Professes uncompromising conservative values regarding this issue. (Source: https://benjamin4congress.com/)

What are your thought on government transparency?  Government was established to protect its Citizenry. We the People should not fear government, but government must fear We the People. Professes uncompromising conservative values regarding this issue. (Source: https://benjamin4congress.com/)

What are your thoughts on national defense? A strong national defense if paramount to security Freedom and Liberty for a Nation. Peace through Strength will become a deterrent to “wanna be” dictators and tyrants abroad. Professes uncompromising conservative values regarding this issue. (Source: https://benjamin4congress.com/)
   

What are your thoughts on the free enterprise system? Our nation was built on the principle of Capitalism. Competition done correctly is healthy for all concerned. A healthy economy will drive done price without devaluing quality of product. Professes uncompromising conservative values regarding this issue. (Source: https://benjamin4congress.com/)

What are your thoughts on the protection of the unborn? I am Pro-Life. Life begins at conception. We must fight for the most vulnerable in our community: the unborn. Professes uncompromising conservative values regarding this issue. (Source: https://benjamin4congress.com/)

What are your thoughts on the role the family plays in America? Family is the bedrock of our society. When the nuclear family is destroyed, all other institutions are left uncovered and susceptible to destruction. Professes uncompromising conservative values regarding this issue. (Source: https://benjamin4congress.com/)
   

What are your thoughts on equal rights, equal justice and equal opportunity, as opposed to equal outcomes? Our equality comes from God our Creator as stated in our Constitution and Blessings come from God our Father as stated in our Bible. We should set up systems in this nation that provides that balance between opportunity and work. Professes uncompromising conservative values regarding this issue. (Source: https://benjamin4congress.com/)

What are your thoughts on the 2nd Amendment? We should preserve our 2nd Amendment at all cost. Without it, all other Amendments will be attacked and taken from us. Professes uncompromising conservative values regarding this issue. (Source: https://benjamin4congress.com/)

Additional sources of information on this candidate: 

New Life Harvest Church – https://www.facebook.com/newlifeharvestchurchrva – Church Page
Virginians for America First (Voter Integrity Coalition) – www.facebook.com/groups/turnvared/ – 
New Life Harvest Church Linkedin – https://www.linkedin.com/in/newlifeharvest/ 
Congressional Candidate page – https://www.linkedin.com/in/leon-benjamin-5427781a6/