VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — Former delegate Tim Anderson announced Wednesday that he is running for the District 97 House of Delegates seat currently held by Democrat Michael Feggans.

Anderson was elected in 2022 to serve as the 83rd District delegate before the seat was moved to northern Virginia and he had been drawn into 100th District. He said at that time he would not force a primary with another Republican who had already announced he was running for that seat. The seat is up for election in 2025.

Instead, Anderson ran for the 19th District seat in the state Senate, but he lost in a three-way Republican primary.

Feggans announced Wednesday that he was running for reelection, with an official campaign kickoff Dec. 7.

“When I was elected last year, the people of Virginia Beach and House District 97 made it clear: they demand leadership that delivers real results,” Feggans said in a statement. “It’s been an honor serving the 97th, and I am proud of the work we’ve accomplished. While we’ve made progress, there’s still more to do.”

An attorney, Anderson described the 97th District as a “purple” district, meaning they typically switch hands between Republicans and Democrats. Feggans defeated Republican incumbent Karen Greenhalgh for the seat in 2023. Anderson said that with the seat held by a Democrat in Virginia Beach, it “is most likely the majority maker for either party.”

For instance, Vice President Kamala Harris earned more votes in Virginia Beach than President-elect Donald Trump, but Republican Jen Kiggans, who won re-election to her House of Representatives seat, also won Virginia Beach.

He said that since Virginia Beach voters vote for the candidate over the party, he said voters want candidates to stop talking about abortion and to stop worrying about what happens in the bedroom.

“I intend to do both,” he said. “I pledge not to support any legislation that changes any existing law on abortion, and I will not vote for anything that infringes on the individual liberty of who they love.  This is what the voters in my purple district expect.”

He said he would focus on two main issues:

• Finding ways to eliminate the car tax by reducing the size of government
• Fixing the environment disasters happening in the Chesapeake Bay

“Virginia has billions of surplus tax dollars,” Anderson said. “We must reduce taxes including the car tax and start finding ways to phase out state income tax like Tennessee has done. Reducing taxes means reducing government spending, and that requires accountability.”

Feggans, in his statement, also said his focus “has not wavered.”

“From growing small businesses and supporting our veterans and military families to tackling flooding, expanding access to affordable housing, and ensuring our public schools remain second to none, my focus has never wavered,” Feggans said. “I’m here to deliver — not with empty promises, but with action that strengthens our neighborhoods and builds a brighter future for all. Together, we will keep pushing forward and make sure that Virginia Beach continues to be a place where opportunity and innovation thrive.”