Anderson won’t seek another term to House of Delegates
But Virginia Beach Republican says he’s ‘not leaving politics’
VIRGINIA BEACH — Del. Tim Anderson, a Virginia Beach Republican representing the 83rd House district, said he will not seek reelection this November.
The decision is in part because he doesn’t want to oust another Republican, he told The Virginian-Pilot this week.
Anderson, 48, is supporting Del. Rob Bloxom, who currently represents the 100th district — which encompasses Accomack and Northampton counties, as well as a part of Norfolk.
Anderson lives in the newly drawn 100th district, which includes a small portion of Virginia Beach and the Eastern Shore of Virginia.
“Fundamentally, I did not get into politics to just run over fellow Republicans,” Anderson said Tuesday.
He first announced that he wouldn’t seek reelection on his Facebook page Tuesday morning.
Bloxom lives in the Parksley area on the Eastern Shore and has represented the district since 2014.
Anderson, a Virginia Beach criminal defense attorney and gun shop owner, was a political newcomer when elected in 2021.
He is considering a few options for his next steps.
“I’m not leaving politics,” he said. “I believe there is something better for me to do, but I don’t know what that something better is right now.”
In recent months, he has been publicly outspoken about how a Chesterfield County top prosecutor handled a prostitution-related case that involves a Virginia Beach pastor.
While there has been speculation about him running for the Commonwealth’s Attorney seat in that county, Anderson said that would require him to move and uproot his family.
“That’s just not going to materialize,” Anderson said. “I’d be honored to, and maybe if I was in a different stage of life, I’d consider that.”
He said his main priorities are finishing his current term and looking out for his party by not challenging Republican incumbents this year. “If that means I’m exiting state government and doing something locally or federally next year, so be it,” he said. As for 2024?
“I am certainly in a position to run for anything,” Anderson said.