The district, currently represented by Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA), has shifted from leaning Democrat to a toss-up ahead of Election Day. Anderson is running against retired Army Lt. Col. Yevgeny “Eugene” Vindman. Anderson, who has sought to portray himself as an “independent leader” to voters, suggested he stands out from his Democratic opponent because he aims to better the nation’s future.

“My opponent, his name is Vindman, he’s focused on his past and his revenge tour of President Trump and doubling down on Kamala Harris and Joe Biden’s failed policies, while we’re focused on the future,” Anderson said on Fox News’s Fox and Friends First. “We’re focused on making it more affordable to live, making our communities safe by securing our border, taking care of our veterans, and what we’ve seen in our race is we’ve been outspent 10:1.”

Anderson then addressed accusations against Vindman, including the inflation of the Democrat’s military record and lying about his time in combat “to advance his political career.” The Republican candidate also contrasted his own military record, which includes six deployments, to that of Vindman’s, arguing that winning Virginia’s 7th Congressional District is key to getting both the state and the country “back on track.”

When asked about his thoughts on how former President Donald Trump’s presidential campaign could affect his race, Anderson contended that Virginia voters are “motivated” by numerous factors, especially the economy. He noted that he has spoken to many people who are living “paycheck-to-paycheck,” adding that lawmakers need to address that.

Spanberger is not seeking reelection this November, instead running in Virginia’s gubernatorial election next year. Virginia governors are not allowed to serve consecutive terms, meaning Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R-VA) cannot seek reelection in 2025.

Ahead of the election, Youngkin celebrated a Supreme Court decision that allowed the state to carry out a purge of an estimated 1,600 noncitizens from its voter rolls, calling it “a victory for common sense.” On Monday, polling data indicated that Trump was just 2 percentage points behind Harris.

To shore up his support, Trump will host a rally Saturday afternoon in Salem, Virginia.