Who Is Ace Parsi? Biography and Career Record

You may have seen his name on a yard sign or in a news clip. Ace Parsi has emerged as a key political figure in West Virginia, but his story began far from Appalachia. Here’s a look at the biography and career of this longtime advocate.

From Tehran to the Campaign Trail

Ace Parsi’s journey started in Iran, where he was born into a country under authoritarian rule. His family fled the regime when he was eight years old, immigrating to the United States. In his own words, his family experienced poverty after arriving, and he learned English with the help of public school instructors. This experience as an immigrant and an English language learner deeply shaped his worldview and professional passion. Parsi’s early life gave him a firsthand perspective on the challenges facing marginalized communities and the importance of public resources, from SNAP benefits to Pell grants, which he says were crucial to his family and his own education. He earned a bachelor's degree from Penn State University in 2005 and later

a master's in Public Policy from the University of California, Berkeley.

A Career in Advocacy

Before entering politics, Parsi built a long career in the non-profit and advocacy sectors, focusing primarily on education and equity. His first job after college was as an AmeriCorps volunteer serving in a low-income school. Over the years, he held a number of key roles at national organizations. He was the Director of Innovation at the National Center for Learning Disabilities, where he worked to ensure students with disabilities benefited from personalized learning initiatives. He also served as the Deeper Learning Project Director at the National Association of State Boards of Education (NASBE), advising states on education policy. More recently, Parsi was the Director of Coalition Engagement at iCivics, a prominent civics education organization, where he helped lead the Educating for American Democracy project. In a farewell letter in early 2026, he described this chapter as working to strengthen democracy by improving history and civics education.

The Pivot to Politics

In 2026, Ace Parsi transitioned from advocate to candidate, entering the race for the U.S. House of Representatives in West Virginia's 2nd Congressional District. He won the Democratic primary on May 12, 2026, and is now on the ballot for the general election in November, challenging incumbent Riley Moore. His campaign themes are heavily drawn from his life story and professional background. He centers his platform on supporting working families, funding public education, protecting social safety nets like Medicaid, and safeguarding democracy. His campaign has been endorsed by groups like New American Leaders Action Fund and WV Can't Wait, which highlight his commitment to building a more inclusive democracy.

Key Policy Stances

As a candidate, Parsi has taken clear stances on several issues relevant to West Virginia. One of his first proposed pieces of legislation would be the "Neighbors, Not Servers Act," which calls for a two-year moratorium on the construction of large data centers to give local communities more control. This reflects a broader platform plank of balancing economic growth with environmental protection. He has also advocated for creating pathways to tuition-free college for students who commit to public service careers like teaching and nursing, investing in small farmers, and expanding resources to combat the addiction crisis. His approach is rooted in his belief that public investments in people and communities are essential for a thriving state and nation.