Derrick Anderson emerged as the winner of the Republican primary in the race to capture Democrat Virginia Rep. Abigail Spanberger’s 7th Congressional District seat. He was leading his closest opponent by about 10% when the Associated Press announced the results on Tuesday. The primary was packed with six candidates, including Navy SEAL combat veteran Cameron Hamilton; U.S. Army Special Forces Green Beret and combat veteran Derrick Anderson; author and artist Maria Martin; Marine Corps veteran Jon Myers; entrepreneur John Prabhudoss; and Trump administration appointee Terris Todd.
Spanberger, the current district representative, had announced last year that she would not seek re-election, opting to run for governor of Virginia in 2025. The Democratic primary for the 7th Congressional District also took place on the same day, with seven Democrats competing for the nomination.
The 7th Congressional District stretches from central Virginia into Northern Virginia, covering counties like Orange, Culpeper, Spotsylvania, and parts of Prince William County. It is currently considered to lean towards the Democratic Party based on various election ratings.
During the primary cycle, Anderson received the most donations, totaling over $1.1 million, as per data from the Virginia Public Access Project. Hamilton followed closely behind with over $720,000 in donations. Both Anderson and Hamilton were frontrunners leading up to election day, according to several polls.
Rep. Tom Emmer, the House majority whip, endorsed Anderson, praising him as a “conservative leader who will deliver for Virginia’s 7th Congressional District.” Emmer highlighted Anderson’s support from military veterans, local sheriffs, and prominent voices in the conservative movement.
Both Anderson and Hamilton have not held public office before. They have expressed their backing for former President Donald Trump’s potential 2024 presidential campaign. Anderson emphasized the importance of supporting Trump, while Hamilton positioned himself as the most conservative candidate in the race.
Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin recently met with former President Trump to discuss strategies to turn Virginia red in the 2024 presidential election. Virginia has consistently supported Democratic candidates in presidential elections since 2008, but Youngkin believes that conservative policies resonate with Virginians.
In conclusion, Derrick Anderson’s victory in the Republican primary sets the stage for a competitive race to capture the 7th Congressional District seat in Virginia. With a diverse field of candidates and strong support from key figures in the Republican Party, Anderson’s campaign aims to flip the district from blue to red in the upcoming election.