Derrick Anderson snags key endorsement in battleground Virginia congressional race

EXCLUSIVE — Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-WI) is endorsing Republican Derrick Anderson, a former Green Beret, in a competitive Virginia congressional race that House Republicans hope to flip during the 2024 elections.

The endorsement was shared first with the Washington Examiner and came just a week after Anderson announced a congressional run.

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“I am proud to endorse a fellow Special Operator in the fight to flip Virginia’s Seventh Congressional District. Derrick repeatedly put his life on the line defending our nation, and his commitment to our country is absolute,” Van Orden, a former Navy SEAL, said. “His leadership is what is needed in D.C. to shake up the status quo and bring a fresh perspective to a stagnant Congress.”

Virginia’s 7th Congressional District is currently held by Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA), who was elected to the seat in 2018, but will be one of the bellwether races to watch during next year’s elections. Anderson first ran for the seat during the 2022 midterm elections but came in second during the GOP primary to Yesli Vega, who lost the race in the general election.

House Republicans currently have a four-seat majority, and their allies, including the Congressional Leadership Fund, a PAC affiliated with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), have signaled Spanberger’s district as one of the top races to flip next year. Spanberger is expected to run for governor in 2025 after Gov. Glenn Youngkin‘s (R-VA) term is finished. However, she has not declared that she won’t seek reelection.

Anderson is a Spotsylvania County, Virginia, native and has served six tours of duty in Afghanistan, Iraq, and other Middle Eastern countries. He graduated from Georgetown University law school and was in the Corps of Cadets at Virginia Tech University.

“I am honored to have the support of Congressmen Derrick Van Orden. His service to our country is admirable and the leadership he mastered as a Senior Chief in the Navy can be felt in the halls of Congress now,” Anderson said. “Navy SEALs, Green Berets, Army Rangers, and other veterans are serving in Congress and running for Congress because we see the chaotic path President Biden has taken us down and the weakness we display to our adversaries we have fought against in order to protect our freedoms here at home.”

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Other Republicans who have entered the GOP primary for Virginia’s 7th District include Bill Moher, Jon Myers, Shaliek Tarpley, and former Navy SEAL Cameron Hamilton. Independent Craig Ennis is also running in the race.

Anderson has received endorsement by Reps. Brian Mast (R-FL), an Army veteran, and Mike Waltz (R-FL), the only Green Beret veteran in Congress. They previously endorsed Anderson citing his commitment to “fighting the good fight” as part of their enthusiasm for supporting Anderson.