Rio Phillips

Independent · U.S. Senate, West Virginia

Phillips has not spoken publicly on U.S. weapons or money for the government of Israel, or on U.S. aid to Palestinians. No statement was found in source-checked research across 6 sources.

6 sources checked and read, every one listed on the research page. Most candidates at this level have simply never been asked.

You are better placed to change that than we are. Ask Phillips directly, or at a candidate forum, and send us the reply: it goes on this page in their own words, which is worth more than anything we could write about them.

Research

What was looked for, and what came back

What the first search did return, on the other questions

The card's claim is about what the United States sends, and that question came back empty. These questions did return material. It is reproduced word for word so nothing found is lost, and it is context rather than a position on U.S. weapons or money. Em dashes are rendered as hyphens to satisfy house style; no wording is changed.

### Characterization of the conflict * **November 26, 2025:** A profile published by SenGov noted that Phillips personally organized a 10,000-gallon drinkable water relief effort directed toward "besieged Palestinians of Gaza". * **2025–2026:** In his official response to the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey for his Senate campaign, Phillips cited U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders as a political influence, specifically commending Sanders' consistency on progressive issues ranging from wealth inequality to Gaza. * **March 2, 2026:** Commenting on U.S. foreign operations and escalations in the Middle East, Phillips posted on Facebook criticizing U.S. military strikes involving Iran, writing that "Donald 'I Stopped 8 Wars' Trump is now launching the Epstein War in Iran to distract from the Epstein files". * **May 6, 2026:** In a primary candidate survey published by *West Virginia Watch* (and reported by the *West Virginia Daily News*), Phillips and other primary contenders expressed criticism over how the U.S. government handled foreign conflicts, including the war between Israel and Palestine.

### Rhetoric and lobbying * **January 31, 2026:** Speaking at a student campus rally at Marshall University titled "Take Down the Tyrants," Phillips framed his platform around working-class priorities and stated that his campaign refuses to accept corporate or foreign lobbying money. * Beyond his broad pledge rejecting foreign lobbying money, there are no recorded public statements or personal actions by Phillips specifically addressing Israel-related lobbying groups or pro-Israel political organizations.

The rest of what the first search returned on the questions with no answer

Each line above is the first sentence of what the first search returned for that question. Where it said more after that sentence, the whole passage is reproduced here word for word, so the qualification stands on the record alongside the finding. Em dashes are rendered as hyphens to satisfy house style; no wording is changed.

### U.S. military aid and weapons to Israel There are no recorded public statements, official campaign policy positions, or personal actions by Rio Phillips regarding U.S. military aid or weapons transfers to Israel.

Sources consulted and read (6)

Not found

Also in this race: Rachel Lee Fetty Anderson (Democrat), Shelley Moore Capito (Republican), S. Marshall Wilson (Other) · All West Virginia candidates.

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But What Can You Do? tracks where 2026 candidates stand on U.S. weapons and funding for the government of Israel. Every claim on this page goes through at least two verification steps. Open the interactive card for votes, funding and contact details.