Preceded by Paul F. Nichols Spouse(s) Ruth Marian Valentine Role American Politician Service/branch United States Air Force | Political party Republican Name Richard Anderson Party Republican Party | |
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Born May 30, 1955 (age 68)
Roanoke, Virginia ( 1955-05-30 ) Alma mater Virginia Tech
Webster University Profession Military officer (retired) Committees Finance
General Laws
Science and Technology
Transportation Residence Woodbridge, Virginia, United States Education Virginia Tech, Webster University | ||
Richard L. "Rich" Anderson (born May 30, 1955) is an American politician. Since 2010 he has served in the Virginia House of Delegates, representing the 51st district in the Prince William County suburbs of Washington, D.C. He is a member of the Republican Party.
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Anderson has served on the House committees on Finance (2010–), General Laws (2010–), Science and Technology (2010–), and Transportation (2012–).
Early life, education, career
Anderson was born in Roanoke, Virginia, and attended Northside High School there. He received a B.A. degree in political science from Virginia Tech in 1979.
Anderson was commissioned in the United States Air Force after graduation, serving in Titan II and Minuteman II intercontinental ballistic missile units, as well as other command and staff positions. He received an M.A. in public administration from Webster University in 1982. He also attended the Air War College, Air Command and Staff College and Armed Forces Staff College. He retired in 2009 in the rank of colonel. His wife, the former Ruth Valentine, also served in the Air Force for 21 years.
Anderson joined the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) as a cadet in 1969, and has been a CAP member since then. He served as National Commander with the CAP rank of brigadier general August 1993 – August 1996, and was chairman of the CAP Board of Governors February 2011 – February 2013.
Electoral history
After his Air Force retirement, Anderson entered politics, gaining the Republican nomination for the Virginia House of Delegates 51st district in the 2009 election. He defeated first-term Democrat Paul F. Nichols by less than two percentage points.