About
As a lifelong resident of Hanover County, Ryan understands the interests of his local community while seeking to maximize individual freedoms and conservative principles.
Ryan’s commitment to public service is influenced by a grounded and humble upbringing. He quickly learned the value of hard work through his mother’s small business, Sandy’s Plants, at a young age. He went on to attend James Madison University before attaining his Juris Doctor degree at the Marshall-Wythe School of Law at The College of William and Mary.
Upon graduation, Ryan worked as a prosecutor for the Hanover County Commonwealth Attorney’s Office, where he specialized in prosecuting domestic violence and family abuse offenders. His professional work on behalf of children grew into a personal commitment that resulted in the creation of the Hanover County Child Advocate Response Team.
Ryan began his legislative service in the House of Delegates in 2002 and went on to win a special election in 2006 for the vacant 4th Senate District seat, where he currently serves. He is the Chairman of the Virginia Senate Republican Caucus and the Senate Rules Committee. He is also a member of the Finance, Courts of Justice, Rehabilitation & Social Services, and Commerce and Labor Committees in the Senate. As a member of the Senate Finance Committee and Chairman of the Public Safety Subcommittee, Ryan plays a unique and critical role in shaping the biennial budget for Virginia.
Ryan currently operates his own law practice, McDougle Law Firm, P.C., in Hanover. When he is not practicing law, working downtown at the Capitol, or visiting with constituents in the 4th District, Ryan spends his time with his wife Dr. Robyn McDougle and their daughter, Reagan.
Ryan represents all of Caroline, Essex, Lancaster, Middlesex, Richmond and Northumberland Counties, and parts of Hanover, King George, Spotsylvania, and Westmoreland Counties.
Sign up to receive text updates and emails from Team McDougle
Issues
Holding The Line
On Taxes
Ryan knows lower taxes means more jobs. He has fought for us to keep our hard-earned money throughout his time in public office. He carried legislation that brought an annual Back-To-School Sales Tax Holiday to Virginia, and worked on a budget in 2019 to provide nearly $1 billion in tax relief to Virginians. He will continue to hold the line on lower taxes and protect our paychecks.
Protecting Our Second Amendment Rights
With an “A” rating from the NRA, you can trust Ryan to protect our right to keep and bear arms. He has sponsored numerous bills to both protect and expand our Second Amendment rights. As an avid sportsman himself, Ryan will always stand up for gun owners.
More Jobs,
Stronger EconomySmall businesses are the backbone of our economy and Ryan wants to make it easier to open and grow a business. A thriving private sector leads to job creation and higher employment. Our economy is booming and Ryan believes we should be fostering that growth to bring more jobs to our community.
Supporting Those Who Protect Us
Ryan has been and always will be a strong defender of our veterans and our law enforcement. Our men and women in the military and in law enforcement sacrifice so much to protect us and we have a duty to ensure they receive the honor and compensation they deserve for
their service.
Protecting Those Who Cannot Protect Themselves
Ryan will always defend the lives of the unborn. He recently voted against budget proposals that would have given more money to Planned Parenthood and constantly stands up for pro-life bills in the legislature.
Greater Affordability and Choices in Healthcare
Virginians deserve better healthcare – and that starts with making it more affordable and flexible. Ryan supports increasing the duration of short-term healthcare plans and allowing Virginians to purchase catastrophic health care insurance to access essential health benefits. Ryan voted against Medicaid expansion and will continue to fight against the restrictive single-payer healthcare plan of Obamacare.
RYAN McDOUGLE
Republican for Senate