On the Issues
Environmental Protection
Michael knows that clean energy is crucially important in Virginia Beach as the community faces the impacts of climate change in our coastal region every day. He is committed to combating recurring flooding, sea level rise, and promoting resiliency in coastal Virginia through supporting renewable energy jobs in Virginia Beach. Michael is also committed to protecting our environment and knows that offshore wind power would bring economic and environmental benefits to this region. He has led the fight for an environmentally friendly future for Virginia Beach that puts hardworking community members first.
Funding Education
As a proud product of Virginia Beach Public Schools and the son of a teacher, Michael understands the critical role educators play in shaping students’ futures. He is working to fully fund public schools, reduce class sizes, and ensure Virginia attracts and retains top-tier educators.
Gun Safety
A military veteran and responsible gun owner, Michael knows firsthand the dangers of firearms in the wrong hands. He continues to support common sense gun safety reforms, including expanding background checks, strengthening Virginia’s Red Flag law, and enforcing safe storage requirements to prevent gun violence and protect communities.
Veterans’ Job Training
As a veteran and small business owner, Michael has worked to equip fellow veterans with high-tech skills for careers in clean energy. He continues to push for expanded transitional skills training programs to ensure veterans have access to quality job opportunities in the community.
Affordability
Michael is dedicated to addressing the pressing affordability needs of the Virginia Beach community. He is fighting to lower middle-class taxes, reduce prescription drug and health care costs, and make housing more affordable. Having experienced the challenges of rising costs as a business owner, he remains committed to modernizing processes that hinder small business growth. Virginia Beach has also seen skyrocketing rents since the COVID-19 pandemic. Michael has been working with community members from first-time homeowners to people experiencing houselessness, to enable him to advocate for affordable housing solutions for the people of Virginia Beach.
Legislative Leadership Accomplishments*
*Chief Patron or Sponsor for Bill
HB 1595: Virginia National Guard State Tuition Assistance Program
Status: Passed
This bill increases access to the Virginia National Guard State Tuition Assistance Program by making eligibility and award requirements subject to Adjutant General regulations, eliminating up-front payment obligations, simplifying academic performance criteria, and ensuring grant funds are disbursed directly to institutions for student accounts. Identical to SB 1106.
HB 1868: Property Tax Exemptions for Surviving Spouses of Members of Armed Forces Who Died in Line of Duty
Status: Passed
The bill clarifies that the real property tax exemption currently available to the surviving spouse of any member of the armed forces of the United States includes the death of any such member that was the result of suicide.
HB 2751: Discrimination Prohibited for Military Family-Owned Businesses
Status: Passed
The bill prohibits any public body from discriminating against a bidder or offeror in the solicitation or awarding of contracts based on military family status, and facilitates participation of military family-owned businesses.
HB 1616: Offshore Wind Industry Workforce Program and Fund
Status: Vetoed
An act to direct the Department of Energy director to identify and develop training resources to advance workforce development in the offshore wind industry.
HB 2645: Early Childhood Care and Education, membership expansion.
Status: Approved
An act to amend and reenact § 2.2-208.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Commission on Early Childhood Care and Education.
HJ 434: Coastal Storm Risk Management Studies
Status: Passed
This bill directs the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission to study the methodology for determining non-federal sponsor contributions by localities to conduct coastal storm risk management studies in the Commonwealth.
HB 327: Inclusive Housing Plan for Individuals with Disabilities
Status: Passed
The bill requires the Commissioner of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services to create a plan to help people with disabilities access affordable and inclusive housing. The plan, which will include those affected by a 2012 legal agreement, must be submitted to the House and Senate committees by November 1, 2025.
HB 701: Landlord Obligations for Maintenance Notice and Timely Repairs
Status: Passed
The bill requires landlords to include the last possible date for routine maintenance in the notice provided to tenants. Additionally, landlords must complete the maintenance within 14 days of notifying the tenant. This ensures tenants are informed and maintenance is carried out in a timely manner. The bill passed on March 8, 2024, and was signed into law.
HB 1361: Virginia Public Procurement Act; Resident Preference
Status: Passed
This bill gives procurement preference to Virginia residents and U.S.-produced goods. If a Virginia resident’s bid is within 10% of the lowest non-resident bid, they can match it. It also grants Virginia residents similar preferences if other states offer them.
HB 374: Establishing a Virginia Minority-Owned Business Commission
Status: Passed
The bill establishes a Minority Business Commission through 2028 to promote the growth and competitiveness of Virginia minority-owned businesses.
HB 673: Resilient VA Revolving Fund
Status: Passed
The bill gives additional weight to projects located in low-income geographic areas and projects that incorporate nature-based solutions when distributing loans or grants from the Resilient Virginia Revolving Fund.
Why This Race Is Important
Maintaining Democratic control of Virginia’s 97th House District is essential for upholding progressive values and securing a majority in the House of Delegates. Delegate Michael Feggans, a Virginia Beach native and Air Force veteran, has been a staunch advocate for protecting reproductive rights, supporting public education, and advancing veterans’ issues. His leadership is vital to ensuring that the interests of all Virginians are represented in the state legislature.
Election Timeline:
Last day to register for primary: June 17, 2025
Deadline to request absentee ballot (primary) June 6, 2025
Date of primary: June 17, 2025
Last day to register for general: November 4, 2025
Deadline to request absentee ballot (general) October 24, 2025
Date of general: November 4, 2025
About the District
District 97 in Virginia Beach leans Democratic, thanks to its diverse economy, which includes tourism, retail, and a growing tech and health care sector. With a blend of military families, tech workers, and service industry employees, the district is increasingly competitive. While Democrats have traditionally held the district, voter engagement will be critical, as Republicans are expected to work hard to flip this seat in 2025, making it a race to watch.
Past Results in District
2024 Presidential Election:
Harris: 53.1%
Trump: 45.1%
2023 House of Delegates:
Democrat : 52.37%
Republican: 47.52%
2021 Gubernatorial:
Democrat : 48.4%
Republican: 50.6%
Demographics:
Population: 85,046
Households: 35,056
Over 65: 15%
Ages 18–64: 64%
Median age: 37.8
White: 57.8%
Black: 20.6%
Latino/a: 9.3%
Asian/ Pacific Islander: 7.3%
Native Am./ Indigenous:
Other/Two+: 10.4%
Median Income: $41,160
Poverty: 9.7%
College/Post Grad: 35%
Some College: 35%
HS Grad: 24%
Not HS Grad: 6%
About the Opponent:
Christina Miriam Felder, a self-described “Republican/Christian woman,” lacks the experience and policy depth necessary for effective leadership. Despite running for Virginia Beach City Council in 2024 and finishing last in a three-person race, she continues to push a platform rooted in vague, uninformed solutions. While she claims to represent District 97’s interests, her vague stances on key issues, combined with her reliance on social media influence, suggests she’s more focused on personal branding than addressing the serious challenges facing the community.
Tim Anderson is a far-right, elitist politician who embodies the status quo in Virginia, where white Republican men have historically held power and prioritized protecting their privilege over addressing the diverse needs of the state’s constituents. His extreme stances on law enforcement, gun rights, and education reveal a deep disregard for the struggles of everyday Virginians, particularly working-class and minority communities. Anderson’s support for privatizing education and rigid law-and-order policies without meaningful criminal justice reform exposes his MAGA-driven agenda, which caters to the wealthy and powerful while ignoring the challenges faced by the majority of Virginians.
Why Virginia is important
After flipping the House of Delegates in 2023, we must protect our Democratic majority to continue safeguarding democracy, especially with the growing threats coming from the federal government. Keeping our majority ensures that Virginia remains a firewall against right-wing extremism and a leader in expanding opportunity, protecting freedoms, and defending democracy.
With recent Democratic victories in special elections and shifting political momentum in our favor, we are well-positioned to win in key swing districts that will maintain our Democratic control of the legislature. This election is our chance to solidify Virginia as a stronghold for democracy, protect fundamental rights, keep the Commonwealth moving forward, and create palpable momentum for Democrats in the 2026 midterm elections.
In addition to all 100 House of Delegates seats being up for election, Democrats also could take back the executive branch of the Virginia state government! Former Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger is running to be the first female governor of Virginia, while there will be a contested primary on the Republican side between current Lieutenant Governor Earle-Sears and two former state legislative Republicans.
Candidate in the News
Delegate Feggans slams federal NIH funding cuts, warns of job losses and research halt.
Delegate Feggans pushes for in-school day care funding to address Virginia’s childcare shortage and improve teacher retention.
Delegate Feggans fights for fair housing and cybersecurity with new bills.
Paid for by Sister District Project. Authorized by Michael Feggans for Virginia, candidate for HD 97.
