Bill Moher ended one congressional campaign last month in Northern Virginia and resurfaced this month in Richmond as the Republican nominee in the 4th Congressional District .
Moher, a technology and business consultant from Arlington County, will challenge Rep. Jennifer McClellan , D-Richmond, who is seeking her first full term after winning a special election last year to fill the 4th District seat left vacant by the death of Rep. Donald McEachin, D-4th. McEachin died weeks after winning his 4th term in Congress and McClellan joined the House on March 7, 2023, after defeating Republican Leon Benjamin.
Moher, who was not immediately available for comment, said on his LinkedIn page: “This is the hardest thing I’ve ever done in a long and rich career of doing hard things. We need to fix Congress. I’m going to try my hardest to make it work for all Virginians and all of the United States of America.”
The 4th District includes all of Richmond and the Tri-Cities area, parts of Chesterfield and Henrico counties, Charles City County and all or part of six localities in Southside.
With no other candidate seeking the GOP nomination, the 4th Congressional District Republican Committee selected Moher as its nominee by unanimous vote, according to a party news release that cites Moher’s “dynamic entrepreneurial spirit and a vision for technological innovation.” It also cites his IT background in “identity management and authentication solutions” and his work as an investor and consultant.
The committee statement calls him a champion of free markets and limited government, and notes his support for gun owner rights, energy independence and “challenging Big Tech dominance.”
McClellan’s campaign said she’s focused on more than just her own re-election.
“Congresswoman McClellan has fought to grow the economy from the middle class out, lower the cost of living, and protect reproductive freedom and voting rights,” campaign manager Courtney McCargo said Tuesday. “She’s running for re-election to continue fighting for the people of the 4th District, and to help Virginia flip the U.S. House blue, and re-elect Joe Biden, Kamala Harris and Sen. Tim Kaine.”
Moher had been running for the Republican nomination in the 7th Congressional District but was one of three candidates who failed to qualify for the ballot, according to the Virginia Public Access Project. One other candidate withdrew from the race, leaving six who are competing in the Republican primary on June 18 to choose a nominee to compete for the seat that Rep. Abigail Spanberger, D-7th, is vacating to run for governor next year.
He had raised almost $397,000 in the election cycle, but just $125 in the first quarter of this year, according to the Federal Elections Commission. His fundraising total includes $380,000 in loans to his campaign, which repaid $260,000 and ended March with $43,442 in the bank.
McClellan has raised $676,187, including $204,365 in the first quarter of this year. She had $189,273 on hand at the end of March.
Photos: Scenes from historic speaker vote of 118th Congress
The sign at the office of House Speaker Kevin McCarthy of Calif., is installed on Capitol Hill in Washington, early Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023. (AP Photo/ Matt Rourke)
Matt Rourke
Dean of the House Rep. Hal Rogers, R-Ky., swears in Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., as House Speaker on the House floor at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, early Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
Andrew Harnik
Incoming House Speaker Kevin McCarthy of Calif., speaks on the House floor at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, early Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
Andrew Harnik
Newly elected Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy of Calif., speaks to the 118th Congress in the House chamber, in Washington, early Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Alex Brandon
Incoming House Speaker Kevin McCarthy of Calif., holds the gavel after accepting it from House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of N.Y., on the House floor at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, early Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
Andrew Harnik
House Speaker-elect Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., gestures for silence from his Republican colleagues as House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of N.Y., speaks on the House floor at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, early Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
Andrew Harnik
Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., smiles after winning the 15th vote in the House chamber as the House enters the fifth day trying to elect a speaker and convene the 118th Congress in Washington, early Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Alex Brandon
Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., reacts after Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., voted "present" in the House chamber as the House meets for the fourth day to elect a speaker and convene the 118th Congress in Washington, Friday, Jan. 6, 2023. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Alex Brandon
Rep. Richard Hudson, R-N.C., left, pulls Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Ala., back as they talk with Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., and other during the 14th round of voting for speaker as the House meets for the fourth day to try and elect a speaker and convene the 118th Congress in Washington, Friday, Jan. 6, 2023. At right is Rep. Patrick McHenry, R-N.C. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
Andrew Harnik
Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., talks to Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., after Gaetz voted "present" in the House chamber as the House meets for the fourth day to elect a speaker and convene the 118th Congress in Washington, Friday, Jan. 6, 2023. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Alex Brandon
Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., walks to the House chamber, Friday, Jan. 6, 2023, to attend the 14th vote for speaker of the House, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
Jacquelyn Martin
Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., reacts after Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., voted "present" in the House chamber as the House met for the fourth day to elect a speaker Friday in Washington.
Alex Brandon, Associated Press
Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., walks to the House chamber for the 14th vote for speaker of the House on Friday in Washington.
Jacquelyn Martin, Associated Press
Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., talks to Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., after Gaetz voted "present" in the House chamber during the 14th round of voting Friday at the Capitol.
Alex Brandon, Associated Press
Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and her husband Paul Pelosi walk surrounded by media on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023, after the House adjourned following three failed attempts to select a Speaker of the House for the 118th Congress. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Carolyn Kaster
Rep. Ken Buck, R-Colo., a member of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, talks to reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023, after the House adjourned following three failed attempts to select a Speaker of the House for the 118th Congress. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Carolyn Kaster
Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, speaks with Rep. Trent Kelly, R-Miss., after the House adjourned without electing a new speaker during opening day of the 118th Congress at the U.S. Capitol, Tuesday, Jan 3, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
Andrew Harnik
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., talks with reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023, after the House adjourned following three failed attempts to elect a new Speaker of the House for the 118th Congress. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
Susan Walsh
Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., talks with Rep. Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., center, and Rep. Scott Perry, R-Pa., talk after the House adjourned for the day without electing a new House Speaker during opening day of the 118th Congress at the U.S. Capitol, Tuesday, Jan 3, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
Andrew Harnik
Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., listens as the second round of votes are cast for the next Speaker of the House on the opening day of the 118th Congress at the U.S. Capitol, Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023, in Washington.(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Alex Brandon
Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., yawns after the third round of votes for House Speaker on the opening day of the 118th Congress at the U.S. Capitol, Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023, in Washington.(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Alex Brandon
House chamber is seen on TV screen, during the third round of votes for Speaker of the House on the opening day of the 118th Congress at the U.S. Capitol, Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
Jose Luis Magana
Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, speaks to nominate Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, for the third round of votes for Speaker of the House on the opening day of the 118th Congress at the U.S. Capitol, Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023, in Washington.(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Alex Brandon
Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, R-N.Y., reacts after being nominated for a third round of votes for Speaker of the House in the House chamber on the opening day of the 118th Congress at the U.S. Capitol, Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023, in Washington.(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Alex Brandon
Rep. Steve Scalise, R-La., shakes hands with Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., after nominating him for the third round of votes for Speaker of the House on the opening day of the 118th Congress at the U.S. Capitol, Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023, in Washington.(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Alex Brandon
Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., reacts after being nominated by Rep. Steve Scalise, R-La., for the third round of votes for Speaker of the House on the opening day of the 118th Congress at the U.S. Capitol, Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023, in Washington.(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Alex Brandon
Rep. Steve Scalise, R-La., arrives to the House chamber before the vote for Speaker of the House on the opening day of the 118th Congress at the U.S. Capitol, Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023, in Washington.(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Alex Brandon
Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, nominates Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., for House Speaker ahead of a second round of voting during opening day of the 118th Congress at the U.S. Capitol, Tuesday, Jan 3, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
Andrew Harnik
Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., nominates Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, for Speaker of the House on the opening day of the 118th Congress at the U.S. Capitol, Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023, in Washington.(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Alex Brandon
Rep. Kevin McCarthy of Calif., listens as votes are cast for next Speaker of the House during the opening day of the 118th Congress at the U.S. Capitol, Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Alex Brandon
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., talks with Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., during the vote for House Speaker on the opening day of the 118th Congress at the U.S. Capitol, Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023, in Washington.(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Alex Brandon
House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., walks from the office of the Speaker of the House on the opening day of the 118th Congress at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Jan 3, 2023. There is no name plaque yet above the entrance. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Carolyn Kaster
House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., bottom right, is applauded after he was nominated to be the new Speaker of the House by Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., in the House chamber on the opening day of the 118th Congress at the U.S. Capitol, Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023, in Washington.(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Alex Brandon
Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., arrives during opening day of the 118th Congress at the U.S. Capitol, Tuesday, Jan 3, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
Andrew Harnik
Outgoing House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif., stands with Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., during opening day of the 118th Congress at the U.S. Capitol, Tuesday, Jan 3, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Alex Brandon
Rep. Steve Scalise, R-La., arrives during opening day of the 118th Congress at the U.S. Capitol, Tuesday, Jan 3, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
Andrew Harnik
Republicans applaud as Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., nominates Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., as House Speaker during opening day of the 118th Congress at the U.S. Capitol, Tuesday, Jan 3, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
Andrew Harnik
Rep. Steve Scalise, R-La., greets lawmakers in the chamber on the opening day of the 118th Congress at the U.S. Capitol, Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023, in Washington.(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Alex Brandon
Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., is seated in the House chamber on the opening day of the 118th Congress at the U.S. Capitol, Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023, in Washington.(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Alex Brandon
Rep. Guy Reschenthaler, R-Pa., left, the incoming chief deputy whip for House Republicans, walks with Rep. Tom Emmer, R-Minn., the incoming House majority whip, as they arrive for a closed-door Republican Conference meeting at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023, opening day of the 118th Congress. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
J. Scott Applewhite
Rep.-elect George Santos, R-N.Y. sits in the chamber during opening day of the 118th Congress at the U.S. Capitol, Tuesday, Jan 3, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
Andrew Harnik
Rep.-elect George Santos, R-N.Y., top center, sits in the House chamber on the opening day of the 118th Congress at the U.S. Capitol, Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Alex Brandon
Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, poses for a photo during opening day of the 118th Congress at the U.S. Capitol, Tuesday, Jan 3, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
Andrew Harnik
Paul Pelosi, husband of outgoing House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif., sits in the gallery during the opening day of the 118th Congress at the U.S. Capitol, Tuesday, Jan 3, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
Andrew Harnik
Outgoing House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif., stands with Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., during opening day of the 118th Congress at the U.S. Capitol, Tuesday, Jan 3, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
Andrew Harnik
House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., emerges from a closed-door meeting with the GOP Conference as he pursues the speaker of the House role as the 118th Congress convenes, at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023. Detractors in the conservative House Freedom Caucus were making demands on McCarthy for in turn for their support. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
J. Scott Applewhite
Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., right, recites the Pledge of Allegiance during opening day of the 118th Congress at the U.S. Capitol, Tuesday, Jan 3, 2023, in Washington.(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Alex Brandon
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., stops to speak with reporters as she walks from a closed-door meeting with the GOP Conference during the opening day of the 118th Congress at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Jan 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Carolyn Kaster
House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., emerges from a closed-door meeting with the GOP Conference as he pursues the speaker of the House role as the 118th Congress convenes, at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
J. Scott Applewhite