Richard Anderson

Richard L. Anderson (born May 30, 1955) is an American politician, retired air force officer, and former Civil Air Patrol general who served as its 20th national commander from 1993 to 1996. A member of the Republican Party, he served in the Virginia House of Delegates from 2010 to 2018 and was chair of the Republican Party of Virginia from 2020 to 2025. Since 2025, he has served as Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Manpower and Reserve Affairs under President Donald Trump.

Anderson chaired the House Committee on Science and Technology (2010–2017), and served on the House committees on Finance (2010–2017), General Laws (2010–2017), and Transportation (2012–2017).

Early life and 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 joined the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) as a cadet in 1969, and has been a CAP member since then. He progressed through the cadet program, becoming the 200th recipient of the General Carl A. Spaatz Award and promoting to the grade Cadet Colonel. 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.

Political career After his U.S. 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. Anderson ran unopposed in 2011, and defeated Democrat Reed Heddleston by roughly 2,000 votes in 2013. In 2015, Anderson ran unopposed for re-election to his fourth term in office. His district was based in Prince William County.

Anderson was chairman of the Virginia House Committee on Science and Technology. He was defeated for re-election in the 2017 Virginia House of Delegates election.

In 2020, Anderson was elected to a four-year term as Chairman of the Virginia Republican Party.

In March 2025, Anderson was nominated by President Donald Trump to become an Assistant Secretary of the Air Force. He announced in a letter that he would step down as Chairman of the Virginia Republican Party once he was confirmed by the Senate.

Electoral history After his U.S. 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.

Date Election Candidate Party Votes % Virginia House of Delegates, 51st district Nov 3, 2009 General Richard L. Anderson Republican 7,940 50.78 Paul F. Nichols Democratic 7,671 49.06 Write Ins 25 0.16 Incumbent lost; seat switched from Democratic to Republican Nov 8, 2011 General Richard L. Anderson Republican 11,296 95.5 Write Ins 533 4.5