Cheryl Riley is running as the Republican candidate for Maryland's 8th Congressional District in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election.

Riley faces Democrat Jamie Raskin and Green Party candidate Nancy Wallace, according to BallotReady election data.

About the office

Members of the U.S. House of Representatives serve two-year terms. Representatives introduce bills and resolutions, offer amendments and serve on committees. The House is responsible for making and passing federal laws, according to the U.S. House of Representatives.

Candidate background

  • Party: Republican
  • Birthplace: Washington, D.C.
  • Hometown: Grew up in Germantown, Montgomery County, according to Riley
  • Education: Montgomery College, 1982; University of Maryland, 1983, according to Riley

Riley has been the founder and CEO of Cheryl Riley Public Relations since 2001, according to BallotReady profile data.

She was the Republican nominee for U.S. House Maryland District 8 in 2024, according to Ballotpedia. She also ran for Montgomery County Council District 4 in 2022, according to the Montgomery County Republican Party.

On the issues

The following positions are drawn from Riley's campaign website and her responses to the iVoterGuide voter guide questionnaire. They reflect the candidate's own statements. Riley has not yet responded to the Bethesda Beacon questionnaire.

Freedom and civil liberties

On her campaign website, Riley said she supports limited government, personal choice and personal responsibility. She said her congressional focus would be opposing what she called "Communist policies" and promoting freedom and liberty.

Economy

Riley said on her campaign website that Maryland's local and state leaders overtax and overregulate businesses. She said she would push in Congress for pro-growth policies that protect American workers and put American businesses first.

Criminal justice and public safety

In her BallotReady voter guide response, Riley said the elderly, women and children need to be able to go about their lives without fear of crime. She said policymakers have failed to keep criminals off the streets and called attacks, theft and violence of any kind unacceptable. Riley said she would fight in Congress to protect the most vulnerable members of the community.

Candidate positions were collected from Riley's campaign website, the iVoterGuide voter guide and BallotReady. The Bethesda Beacon presents these positions to help voters understand where the candidate stands. Responses have been condensed for clarity.