Virginia congressional candidate Derrick Anderson went viral after sharing photos of himself with a friend’s wife and three children, making it appear as though they were his family. Anderson, a former Army Green Beret running for an open congressional seat, posted a campaign video featuring these images. However, he does not have any children of his own and lives alone with his dog, despite recently becoming engaged. The images quickly went viral, with many accusing Anderson of misleading voters by trying to portray the family as his own.
The controversy surrounding Anderson’s campaign video led to backlash from various groups, including the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, who accused him of using deceitful tactics to present himself as a family man. The video is not an official campaign ad but can be found on Anderson’s YouTube channel and a website paid for by the National Republican Campaign Committee. Despite the negative attention, Anderson’s campaign spokesperson denies any attempt to mislead voters and insists that the images were simply of him with female supporters and their children, who are actually the wife and kids of a longtime friend.
This is not Anderson’s first attempt at running for Congress, as he previously lost in the 7th District’s GOP primary in 2022. The seat he is currently running for is held by Democratic Rep. Abigail Spanberger, who is seeking the Virginia governor’s office in 2025. Anderson’s opponent in this race is Yevgeny “Eugene” Vindman, a fellow Army veteran and Democrat who served on the National Security Council under President Trump. Vindman gained national attention in 2019 as a whistleblower during the first impeachment attempt against Trump.
Vindman’s campaign has also faced scrutiny, with an FEC complaint alleging illegal coordination between his campaign and a PAC run by his twin brother. The complaint came after questions were raised about Vindman’s military record, leading his campaign to refer journalists to his brother’s advocacy group for answers. The race between Anderson and Vindman has garnered significant attention, with both candidates coming from military backgrounds and facing controversies during their campaigns. It remains to be seen how these issues will impact the outcome of the election and the representation of Virginia’s Seventh District in Congress.
Despite the growing controversy surrounding his campaign, Anderson has not yet responded to media inquiries. His portrayal of a family in his campaign video has sparked a larger conversation about political tactics and the influence of social media in modern politics. As the election date approaches, both candidates continue to navigate the challenges and controversies that come with running for public office. The outcome of this race will not only determine the next representative for Virginia’s Seventh District but also shed light on the larger political landscape in the state and across the country.
