RICHMOND — In Virginia’s House District 71, Democrat Jessica Anderson and Republican Del. Amanda Batten are back for a rematch that was decided by just 667 votes in 2023. With control of the House in play, the stakes — and the spending — are markedly higher this fall.
Redistricting turned the district into one of Virginia’s truest swing seats, combining historic Williamsburg, established neighborhoods in James City County, and the fast-growing suburbs of New Kent. The mix of a university town, suburban bedroom communities, and booming exurbs has reshaped both the politics and commuter patterns of the Peninsula’s western edge, making the district a priority for both parties.
The contrasts across the district drive its competitiveness: New Kent is now one of Virginia’s fastest-growing localities, Williamsburg’s economy is powered by the College of William & Mary and Colonial Williamsburg, and James City sits in between, balancing suburban growth and long-time residents. Those cross-pressures have fueled debates over housing costs, school capacity, wages in a tourism-heavy economy and traffic along I-64 — all issues central to this year’s campaign.
Politically, 2023 underscored just how narrow the margins are here. Batten finished with 50.9% to Anderson’s 49.1%, a districtwide spread of 18,152 to 17,485. It was one of the closest House races in the state — and a clear signal that modest swings in Williamsburg turnout or New Kent persuasion can flip the seat.
The cash chase reflects the district’s importance. According to data from the Virginia Public Access Project, Anderson has raised $741,837 so far in the 2025 cycle, compared with Batten’s $443,718 — a reversal of 2023, when Anderson was outspent two to one. Statewide coverage has repeatedly listed House District 71 among the key races likely to shape the House majority this fall.
Early voting has also fueled the “tipping-point” narrative. Republican-leaning districts jumped out to an initial turnout edge, while competitive seats like House District-71 are being watched daily for movement as absentee and in-person totals update.
Since last year, Batten has helped organize an informal “Purple Caucus” of Republicans in swing districts, part message shop and part defensive line for incumbents on competitive turf. Anderson, meanwhile, has leveraged name ID from 2023 and a larger volunteer corps to scale up paid communication she largely lacked last time.
Jessica Anderson
The Democratic nominee casts herself as a grounded candidate rooted in the experience of her district. A lifelong Virginian and longtime Williamsburg/James City County resident, Anderson has worked in the front office of a local elementary school while raising two daughters. She says those roles — as parent, neighbor and community member — shape how voters see her.
“People know me outside of a political hat, and they know my heart,” she said in a recent interview with The Mercury. “There is this concept that I don’t know the issues, and once people meet me and really hear me articulate it, they realize real fast that what they’ve heard is wrong.”
Anderson’s story often returns to her experience of divorce in 2014, losing health coverage and relying on Medicaid and SNAP benefits. “That was life-saving,” she said, “but the programs aren’t set up to really help you be successful.” She emphasized that experience informs her focus on health care affordability and protecting Medicaid.
In 2023, Anderson mounted what she calls a “very grassroots campaign,” knocking on more than 6,000 doors but running without TV or digital ads. This time, she says, the caucus is investing in her race, her own fundraising has surged, and volunteers are plentiful. “We are on TV, we are on digital, we are in mailboxes,” she said.
Education is central to Anderson’s platform. She argues the state’s funding formula is outdated, pushing for reforms that would add early childhood education for 3- and 4-year-olds, expand pre-K, and strengthen incentives for teacher pay and retention. She noted Williamsburg/James City County already has infrastructure through its Bright Beginnings program that could be scaled up.
Anderson also highlighted challenges in K-12 transportation, citing her own daughter’s 0.7-mile walk to a bus stop. “That’s unacceptable,” she said, urging the state to lift support caps and raise pay for bus drivers and other support staff.
In the district’s tourism-heavy economy, Anderson supports raising the minimum wage to $15 statewide, but notes that in parts of Virginia, even $20 to $23 an hour may be necessary. She wants to ensure small businesses have a seat at the table while also arguing that “raising the tide” helps all.
On housing, she advocates for first-time homebuyer grants, incentives for retirees to downsize, and revitalization of vacant properties. She also calls for regulatory tweaks to expand supply. On infrastructure, she emphasized accountability in the I-64 widening project and closer cooperation with VDOT.
Anderson pledges to protect reproductive rights, supporting Newport News Democratic Del. Cia Price’s contraception bills and a constitutional amendment to enshrine abortion access. “Any delegate that votes against any of these constitutional amendments is telling on themselves, because they don’t trust voters,” she said.
Anderson also supports universal background checks and stronger safe-storage laws for firearms, citing the 2023 case in Newport News where a 6-year-old shot his teacher.
“Accessibility to firearms should be protected in state law, but we should have the highest penalty for families or guardians who do not maintain that,” she said.
If elected, Anderson said her first bill would be to expand early childhood education funding, ideally with bipartisan support.
Her turnout strategy, she said, is to energize Williamsburg’s Democratic base, persuade voters in New Kent, and win swing precincts in James City. Early voting, she added, has the bonus of “removing yourself from being inundated by the campaigns at large.”
Amanda Batten
Amanda Batten has represented the area since 2019 and is seeking her fourth full term. A James City County resident, she previously served as a legislative aide before winning election. She is now chair of the House Republican Caucus, a role she says sharpens her understanding of bills while allowing colleagues to rely on her for policy briefings.
“As far as signature accomplishments, frankly, a lot of it has to do with my role in leadership,” she told The Mercury in a recent interview. “I read every bill that goes up on the floor, I listen to what my constituents are asking for, and I carry those bills.” Recently, that has included a proposal to reform foster care placement and bills for law enforcement.
Batten emphasized that her leadership role in her caucus and her representation of her district are distinct. “I represent my constituents, and there’s a period at the end of that sentence,” she said. “We don’t take caucus positions … every member is free to vote independently.”
Batten highlighted New Kent’s rapid growth and said her experience in James City allows her to advise constituents on how to prepare. On housing, she supports reducing regulatory costs she said add about 25% to home prices and favors leaving zoning to localities. She opposes limits on investor home purchases, saying it’s not a concern that’s raised locally.
On transportation, she noted progress on I-64 widening and expects it to remain a state priority, rejecting tolls as an option. She also points to the upcoming 250th anniversary celebration as a tourism driver and touted her relationships with William & Mary leadership.
Batten favors economic incentives and site readiness to attract private-sector jobs, citing the AutoZone distribution center in New Kent as a success.
On data centers, she anticipates the state will need to regulate energy and water use but encourages innovative power sourcing.
Batten supports public access to curriculum and library content and backs education savings accounts with guardrails, while opposing full vouchers.
On abortion, she opposes the constitutional amendment as written, saying it could override parental notification and allow late-term abortions without sufficient limits. She supports exceptions for rape, incest, life of the mother and viability.
On gun policy, she defended the Second Amendment and said current background checks are adequate, though she wants stronger prosecution of misuse.
On resilience, she warns against over-development in flood-prone areas and recommends leaving most land-use decisions local.
She said much of her funding comes from the party and national GOP organizations and favors transparency over contribution caps. If re-elected, she plans to reintroduce foster care reform bills.
Batten’s pitch is straightforward: “I have the experience of advocating successfully for legislation that benefits our district. It’s my home, and I’m very connected to my constituents.”
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