About Bentley

I'm Bentley Hensel, a passionate data-driven problem solver running for Congress in Virginia's 8th District. My mission is to bring technological innovation and transparency to the federal government, ensuring it works effectively for all citizens, not just a privileged few.

I have spent my career at the intersection of technology and public service, where I have consistently leveraged data and innovation to tackle complex challenges. My frustration with the current lack of leadership and tech comprehension in D.C., has driven me to step up and run for office.

I believe it's time for a new approach — one that prioritizes actionable solutions over empty rhetoric and brings a fresh perspective to the issues facing our nation.

Background & Experience

I was raised in the Deep South, in Alexandria, Louisiana. I much prefer Alexandria (Virginia's Version), though. Back in the Southern Alexandria, my dad was a dentist, and my mom was a landscape architect. I had a comfortable middle-class childhood that I have no complaints about.

In 2012, I worked on a Presidential campaign, an eye-opening experience that exposed me to the realities of political power and influence. After the campaign, I enlisted in the Navy but was discharged for medical reasons.

I then helped elect an underdog Democrat to a parish-wide office in Louisiana and was among the first to run digital radio political ads in 2014. This success led to a job in Old Town Alexandria, marking the beginning of my journey in the D.C. area.

Before settling in D.C., I hiked the 2,650-mile Pacific Crest Trail from Mexico to Canada. Witnessing America's incredible beauty and majesty, from Yosemite to Crater Lake, solidified my commitment to environmental protection. Experiencing these wonders instilled in me a responsibility to preserve them.

Since 2022, I've been at CivicActions, first as a Senior Technical Product Manager and now as a Sr. Data & DevOps Engineer. My role has given me a front-row seat to the best and worst of government practices. Our company's culture, passionately open source and committed to transparency, underscores my vision for what good governance can look like.

Moving Forward

Since stepping away from politics, I've never been happier, but my growing frustration with the lack of leadership and tech comprehension in D.C. has compelled me to run for Congress. I'm not running to maintain the status quo but to fix it. I want to bring real solutions and fresh ideas, ensuring our government works for everyone. America has been stuck in a rut for the past decade, and I am determined to help move our nation forward again.

It's disheartening that in the current state of politics, we often find ourselves choosing the lesser of two evils. Why can't we be inspired by candidates and the future again?

I'm not just talking about change—I'm actively implementing it. I know how the current system operates, and I believe it's time for a transformation.