News Summary
Virginia Beach’s upcoming election features incumbent Democrat Del. Michael Feggans and Republican challenger Tim Anderson competing for the vital House District 97 seat. With significant fundraising and contrasting views on climate, energy, and taxes, this race could shift political power in the Virginia House of Delegates. Voters are weighing issues from flooding to affordability, while both candidates seek to sway public opinion in a district known for its fluctuating political leanings.
Virginia Beach is set to become a battleground as the upcoming election on November 4, 2025, pits the incumbent Democrat, Del. Michael Feggans, against former Republican Del. Tim Anderson for the critical House District 97 seat. This race is significant, especially following the district’s recent political shift from Republican to Democrat just two years prior.
As of the end of August 2025, Feggans has raised over $627,000 for his campaign, while Anderson has collected nearly $385,000. Combined, their fundraising efforts have exceeded $1 million, showcasing the high stakes involved in this pivotal election.
The political landscape of House District 97 has shown a shifting pattern among voters. In the 2024 presidential election, over 53% of voters supported Kamala Harris, indicating a more Democratic-aligned electorate. Nevertheless, in the 2016 election, Hillary Clinton narrowly won the district with 46.6% of the vote, while Republican Glenn Youngkin emerged victorious in the 2021 gubernatorial election, claiming 50.6% of the vote. The district has recently undergone redistricting, altering its boundaries since the last elections.
Tim Anderson, who previously represented the now-eliminated House District 83, chose not to contest the Republican primary for the newly configured House District 97 seat and subsequently lost a bid for the state Senate. His experience positions him as a formidable challenger to the incumbent Feggans.
Feggans, a veteran of the Air Force with two decades of service, has emphasized his commitment to environmental issues, small business support, and the needs of veterans and military families. Coastal flooding remains a critical concern for both candidates. Feggans backs the initiative to return Virginia to the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), aimed at combatting climate change and its associated impacts on flooding. Conversely, Anderson opposes rejoining RGGI and advocates for the city’s existing pumping project to tackle flooding issues.
There are stark contrasts in their views regarding the Virginia Clean Economy Act. Feggans is open to modifications that preserve the state’s clean energy objectives and plans to promote offshore wind workforce initiatives. In contrast, Anderson seeks the act’s repeal, pushing for an increased reliance on natural gas and small modular reactors.
Discussions surrounding data center regulations have also surfaced as a key point of contention. Feggans is in favor of responsible energy practices and environmental considerations for data center projects, while Anderson proposes that data center companies should incur higher energy rates and improve energy infrastructure.
Both candidates recognize the importance of affordability for constituents. Feggans has supported legislative efforts to offer a $10,000 grant for first-time homebuyers, while Anderson is campaigning to eliminate the car tax and remove taxes on veterans’ retirement income.
The election on November 4, 2025, is poised to have significant implications for the balance of power within the Virginia House of Delegates. Governor Glenn Youngkin has labeled this race as critical for Republican control and underscored its importance with a light-hearted reference to the number 50, highlighting the significance of the 50th seat in the legislature.
As the election approaches, fundraising efforts remain brisk, with Feggans receiving substantial support from the House Democratic Caucus and Clean Virginia Fund, while Anderson has garnered backing from the Republican Party of Virginia and Moving Mountains PAC.
As voters prepare to head to the polls in November, both candidates are intensifying their efforts to sway public opinion in a district that has shown a tendency to fluctuate in its political alignment.
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Additional Resources
- Virginia Mercury: House District 97 Could Determine Party Majority
- Virginia Independent News: House Delegates District 97 Candidates
- Pilot Online: Virginia Beach House of Delegates District 97
- Wavy: Candidate Profile Christina Miriam Felder
- Wikipedia: House of Delegates of Virginia
Author: STAFF HERE VIRGINIA BEACH WRITER
VIRGINIA BEACH STAFF WRITER The VIRGINIA BEACH STAFF WRITER represents the seasoned team at HEREVirginiaBeach.com, your trusted source for actionable local news and information in Virginia Beach, Virginia Beach City, and beyond, delivering "news you can use" with comprehensive coverage of product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news impacting the region—supported by years of expert reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates, while offering top reporting on high-profile events like the Virginia Beach Neptune Festival, East Coast Surfing Championship, and military homecoming celebrations, alongside key organizations such as the Virginia Aquarium, Virginia Beach Convention Center, and Oceana Naval Air Station, plus leading businesses in tourism and defense like Busch Gardens and Northrop Grumman, and as part of the broader HERE network including HEREWilliamsburg.com, providing credible, in-depth insights into Virginia's vibrant landscape. HERE Virginia Beach HERE Williamsburg
