Jessica Anderson (politician)
Jessica Anderson | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Virginia House of Delegates from the 71st district | |
| Assumed office January 14, 2026 | |
| Preceded by | Amanda Batten |
| Personal details | |
| Party | Democratic |
| Education | Virginia Peninsula Community College |
| Website | jess4va |
Jessica Anderson is an American politician and the Delegate for the 71st district of the Virginia House of Delegates. A member of the Democratic Party, she was elected to the seat in the 2025 Virginia House of Delegates election with 53% of the vote,[1] defeating incumbent Republican Amanda Batten.[2] The district includes the city of Williamsburg and parts of James City County and New Kent County.[3]
Early life and education
Anderson was born in Newport News in 1981.[4] She earned an Associate of Science degree in business administration from Thomas Nelson Community College in 2007.[4]
Career
Anderson has worked in public schools in the Williamsburg area, including as a front office receptionist at a public elementary school.[4][5] She has participated in the Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership's Political Leaders Program in 2024, and has been affiliated with the Williamsburg-James City Education Association and Colonial Road Runners.[4]
Political career
2023 election
Anderson ran for the 71st district seat in 2023 and lost to Republican incumbent Amanda Batten by 667 votes.[1] During the campaign, Anderson supported maintaining abortion access under Virginia law and opposed book bans in public school libraries.[6]
2025 election
Anderson ran again in 2025 in a rematch against Batten and won the general election, flipping the seat for Democrats.[7] Anderson had raised about $1.4 million in the 2025 cycle as of October 2025, compared with about $874,000 for Batten.[8]
Political positions
In 2023, Anderson said she preferred shortening Virginia's early-voting window from 45 days to roughly 30 days, while retaining required weekend voting opportunities.[9]
References
- ^ a b "Jessica Anderson (Virginia)". Ballotpedia. Retrieved November 6, 2025.
- ^ "Democrat flips seat in highly contested race". Democrat flips seat in highly contested race - University of Richmond's Student Newspaper. Retrieved November 6, 2025.
- ^ "Meet the candidate: Jessica Anderson". The Virginia Independent. July 1, 2025. Retrieved November 6, 2025.
- ^ a b c d "Jessica L. Anderson". Virginia House of Delegates. Virginia General Assembly. Retrieved December 26, 2025.
- ^ "A Republican lawmaker delivered doughnuts to Williamsburg teachers, then came a political food fight". WHRO. May 23, 2023. Retrieved December 26, 2025.
- ^ "Election 2023: House of Delegates candidate responses". WHRO. September 27, 2023. Retrieved December 26, 2025.
- ^ Lantz-Trissel, Lena (November 4, 2025). "Democrat flips seat in highly contested race". The Collegian. Retrieved December 26, 2025.
- ^ Hansen, Louis; Falayi, Kunle (October 22, 2025). "Big money flows to Virginia delegate candidates in Hampton Roads". WHRO. Retrieved December 26, 2025.
- ^ "House District 71 is leading the way on early voting in Virginia". WHRO. October 26, 2023. Retrieved December 26, 2025.