Philip Harding

Philip Harding earned a bachelor's degree from Harvard University in 2012 and a graduate degree from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government in 2014. His career experience includes working as a businessman.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

My life has been intertwined with family, faith, entrepreneurship, and service from the start.

As a first-generation college graduate, I went on to Harvard, was elected Harvard-wide student president, and was selected to give the commencement speech in Harvard Yard as a Christian conservative. I am proof the American Dream is still alive.

https://youtu.be/W8OY4a21kDs

As an entrepreneur, I have helped over 2 million people all across America and in 30+ countries, through business and empowerment, to solve our biggest problems at the local and global level. I've helped equip and mentor people from all walks of life to solve problems, start businesses, strengthen communities, and create meaningful change. https://PhilipHarding.com

As a husband of 21 years and father of 3, I know a strong family is the foundation of our nation. I grew up in a pastor’s home, homeschooled for high school, went to a community college, and earned my way. Those values continue to guide me and our family today.

I’ve worked in Congress and was selected as a Presidential Fellow on an accelerated and competitive path to Federal Service. From the Pentagon to departments across government, I have seen the challenges first-hand and good people trying to make a difference.

I'm running for U.S. Congress because I believe America's greatest strength has always been “We the people.” Families, workers, entrepreneurs, churches, and communities working together to build a better future.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

I'm not a politician. I’m a business man trying to save our country.

Washington has made it harder for families, workers, and small businesses to succeed. Costs are rising, opportunities feel out of reach, and too many people believe the American Dream is slipping away.

Our future will not be built by socialism, government control, and failed systems of the past, but will be built by families raising children, entrepreneurs creating jobs, workers learning new skills, churches serving communities, and neighbors helping neighbors.

We need policies that help people create opportunity, grow businesses, own homes, build wealth, and leave something better for the next generation.

America has prospered because we empowered “We the people.”Leadership is about bringing people together to solve problems.

Throughout my career, I've worked with entrepreneurs, educators, military leaders, faith communities, and government agencies to tackle difficult challenges. I brought Harvard together as student president. Whether serving in Congress, across the federal government, the Pentagon, or building organizations that have reached millions worldwide, I’ve learned that lasting change happens when people work toward a shared mission.

Effective leadership requires listening, building trust, and helping people find common ground.

Virginia's 7th District is diverse and deserves a representative who will confidently defend conservative principles while bringing people together.The 7th District deserves a representative focused on Virginia families. Families are paying more for groceries, housing, gas, energy, childcare, and transportation while Washington spends beyond its means. Too many elected officials focus on partisan battles, media appearances, and political theater.

Eugene Vindman has aligned himself with the same failed systems of the past that continue to produce higher spending, more debt, and greater burdens on working families.

Government should operate with the same discipline and accountability that families and businesses practice daily. My focus will be lowering costs, supporting economic growth, strengthening communities, and ensuring that future generations inherit opportunity instead of debt.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

My life’s work is applying private solutions to the world’s biggest public problems.

Build Together: grow the economy through small businesses, unleash American innovation and energy, strengthen domestic manufacturing, modernize infrastructure, and expand opportunity.

Strengthen Families: protect parental rights, support safe communities, defend dignity of life, address the mental health crisis, combat dangerous drugs, and empower local communities.

Attack the Debt: cut wasteful spending, restore accountability, reform ineffective programs, and stop passing trillions in debt to future generations.

America's greatest strength is built on families, entrepreneurs, workers, churches, and communities creating a better future together.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Jesus Christ has had the greatest influence on my life. His example of servant leadership, humility, compassion, and sacrifice continues to shape how I approach both life and leadership. My parents showed me how to live with creative optimism mixed with a true heart of service. Beyond that, I admire leaders like President Ronald Reagan, who communicated optimism about America's future, Abraham Lincoln, who demonstrated courage and conviction during one of the nation's most difficult periods, and George Washington, who demonstrated true servant leadership. They understood that leadership is ultimately about serving people and preserving the principles that make America unique.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Character. An elected official should be guided by integrity, humility, courage, and a genuine desire to serve rather than be served. Leaders should keep their word, tell the truth even when it is difficult, listen to the people they represent, and make decisions based on principle instead of political pressure. I also believe elected officials should be good stewards of taxpayer resources and remember that the government exists to serve the people, not the other way around.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

A member of Congress has a responsibility to faithfully uphold the Constitution, represent the people of their district, and ensure the federal government operates responsibly and within its proper constitutional role. That includes exercising oversight, protecting individual liberties, strengthening our national security, making wise decisions about taxpayer dollars, and passing legislation that creates opportunity rather than unnecessary bureaucracy.

I also believe members of Congress should be present in their communities, accessible to the people they serve, and willing to listen before they lead. Success should not be measured by the number of bills introduced or speeches given, but by whether Americans have greater freedom, stronger families, more opportunity to build businesses and careers, and greater confidence that their government is accountable to them.

What legacy would you like to leave?

If I can help leave behind a stronger America where families are stronger, communities are more resilient, government is more accountable, and the next generation believes once again in the American Dream, that would be a legacy worth leaving. Whether through entrepreneurship, education, ministry, or public service, my life's work has been about helping people discover purpose, solve problems, and create opportunities for others. I want to leave my children a country where anything is possible.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

My first jobs were entrepreneurial. Around age 10, I started selling products from catalogs to neighbors, which gave me an early appreciation for customer service, sales, and earning through initiative. As I got older, I started a lawn mowing business and later, while in high school, tutored elementary and middle school students. Those experiences taught me responsibility, problem-solving, and the value of serving others through hard work. My first traditional W-2 job was as a courtesy clerk (bagger) at a local grocery store, where I learned the importance of teamwork, reliability, and serving customers well. Together, those early experiences sparked a lifelong passion for entrepreneurship and building opportunities for others.

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

One of the greatest challenges in my life has been overcoming obstacles that often seemed bigger than my circumstances. As a first-generation college student, there was no roadmap for attending Harvard or navigating many of the opportunities that came later. My family made significant sacrifices, and there were seasons filled with uncertainty, financial pressure, and setbacks. Those experiences strengthened my faith, taught me resilience, and gave me a deep appreciation for the opportunities this country provides. They also shaped my conviction that every American should have the chance to build a better future through hard work, personal responsibility, and opportunity.

What qualities does the U.S. House of Representatives possess that makes it unique as an institution?

The House of Representatives is unique because it was designed to be closest to the American people. Every two years, members must earn the trust of the people they represent through an election. That accountability helps keep the House grounded in the real concerns of families, workers, entrepreneurs, farmers, veterans, and local communities.

The House office should feel like a startup company, fast paced, listening to needs, and obsessed with serving people. As someone who has spent my career building businesses, creating jobs, and helping communities solve problems, I appreciate that the House was intended to bring the experiences of everyday Americans into the legislative process. It works best when members listen more than they talk, stay connected to their districts, and remember that they are sent to Washington to serve, not to become part of Washington.

The House has some of Congress's most important constitutional responsibilities, including controlling federal spending, conducting oversight of the executive branch, and writing the laws that shape our nation. When it fulfills those responsibilities with integrity and accountability, it serves as the people's voice and an essential check on the power of the federal government.

What do you perceive to be the United States' greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?

We are at a critical point in the American story. The question before us is whether we will turn toward socialism and the failed systems of the past, or remember who we are and the values that built America to guide us to a brighter future.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

I believe elected officials should be willing to work with anyone to solve real problems, find common ground where possible, and achieve meaningful results for the American people. At the same time, there are core constitutional freedoms and values that should not be compromised. Effective leadership requires both conviction and the wisdom to know the difference.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

https://www.philiphardingforcongress.com/endorsements

What was the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember?

The first historical event that had a profound impact on me was the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. I was attending community college when the attacks occurred. Like millions of Americans, I watched the events unfold in disbelief as our campus shut down and everyone tried to make sense of what had happened. It was a defining moment that reminded me how precious freedom is, how quickly the world can change, and how resilient the American people are in times of crisis. That day deepened my appreciation for those who serve our country and reinforced my belief that protecting our nation's security and preserving the values that unite us are among the government's most important responsibilities.