Jessica Anderson

Jessica Anderson was born in Newport News, Virginia. She earned an associate degree from Thomas Nelson Community College in 2007. Her career experience includes working as a receptionist at a Williamsburg-James City County elementary school.[1]

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Video submitted to BallotpediaReleased January 20, 2023

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am a daughter, mom, wife, runner, Receptionist at a local WJCC elementary school and proud Virginian, born and raised. I am full believer that every citizen deserves a quality education, equal treatment under the law and the right to bodily autonomy. As a former Conservative myself, I’ve seen how divided we’ve become as a nation and continue to strive to bridge that gap, for the hopes of reaching truth and understanding. I’ve have the privilege of working in and raising my children in both New Kent and Williamsburg/James City County, allowing me to see the needs of everyday families. I look forward to representing my community come January 2024.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

I will fight for bodily autonomy ALWAYS! Arbitrary laws have no business in VA that restrict healthcare professionals to make sound decisions or hesitate, putting human beings in danger. As a mom of 3 daughters, I will make sure they have the same rights I had in the state of VirginiaA functioning and thriving Public education is crucial to our community. As both a mom and employee of the school, I see the needs that are not being addressed and the miscommunication between so many involved in the school; from administration to families to the community itself. I want to be a voice to find solutions and create well balanced, well educated and safe students.Virginia has made incredible strides over the last 6 years at the state level and this progress has been at the benefit of many residents. I want to be a part of that further shift to honor our traditions, while being a bright light in the south. I want to see that every Virginian has opportunity and feels heard and seen. We all deserve to be heard and seen!

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Reproductive rights, public education, and ensuring our state sees great success moving forward.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Integrity. Any elected official should stand behind their decisions, as well as be up front and honest about the good and bad of their past. People who elect us deserve to know exactly who they are getting and as elected officials we should fight to deliver what we campaigned on. We need to see less corporate money in politics so the people get a true representation of the majority, not the rich and powerful.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I am passionate and honest, something that seems to be missing from one too many politicians in our government. I also believe that conversations are crucial for change and I have. This ability to open the lines of communication to anyone, even those who adamantly disagree with me.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I want to leave the legacy of a world better for my daughters and the families they choose to create in their future and I will fight to ensure they have that.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

Columbine shooting in 1999 was probably the most impactful, as I was a graduating senior that year. Shortly after in 2001, another impactful moment was 9/11. I think these two moments were my introduction to adulthood and showing how vulnerable we were as a society and nation. We came together as a result of both those moments and I struggle to see the division that exists with new tragic events 20 years later.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

I helped for my dad, at the early age of 14, cleaning carpets and selling Sno-cones and then went on to work at Busch Gardens (a right of passage for most Hampton Roads teens), as well as a PT cashier at the local Farm Fresh. My parents were both working class and were incredible examples to myself and my brother, of what a strong work ethic looks like. I was raised to always be able to take care of myself and it’s been a valuable lesson throughout my life.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Anti-Hero by Taylor Swift

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

VA

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

VA

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

VA

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I’m Jessica Anderson, a 40 year old, married mom of 3 daughters. Born and raised in Newport News, VA and have been a resident of Williamsburg, VA since 2015, I’m ready to step up for the 1st Congressional District of VA. The last several years I have been incredibly active in the running community, getting to know so many amazing and diverse people and I’m in my 4th year working part time in one of WJCC’s incredible elementary schools. The past 6 years has really opened my eyes to the progressive changes our state and country are desperately in need of and I’m here to make it happen. I want to see HUGE change for not only my children, but their children and the future generations to come. It has become more and more clear that the only one to MAKE change is to get involved in the process, so here I am. I have built an incredibly platform, using humor and humanity while discussing policy views, human rights stances, all driven by data and resources. Many know me as @crazymotherrunner, but I hope come 2022, Virginia know me as Congresswomen Jess Anderson.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Educating Our Future with TRUTHHuman Rights are NOT negotiablePeople OVER Profits/Healthcare for ALL

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I’m incredibly passionate about making sure Women's rights and the rights of our LGBTQIA+ community, are protected as human rights. I will address the racial bias in our policing and judicial systems and work towards adequate reform to bring about equality to the marginalized community disproportionately impacted. In our public schools, we need to see less government overreach, resulting in critical thinking/conversation, reallocating funds to staff and resources, creating equity in schools throughout the nation, and giving power back to educators when it comes to teaching an accurate account of our both tragic and triumphant history. I will also fight for a universal healthcare system that gives ALL Americans basic healthcare access, which should be a right, NOT a Privilege.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

In daily life, my mom, a women who has been through a world of pain and trauma and yet continues to spread positivity and joy to those who have the pleasure of knowing her. In politics, Stacey Abrams, she has been a force like no other. She has fiercely fought for voting rights, putting feet on the ground and not letting anyone get in the way. She is a force to be reckon with and a positive force for change and reform.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

I think integrity is one of the most important principles as an elected official. We see far too many politicians who campaign on policy, but never fight to put it into place

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I think the qualities that would make me successful in this position is not only my blatant honesty, but my ability to recognize my own failures and shortcomings and take accountability in that when I need to. I think many of us struggle with recognizing and learning from the things that we do not know of or understand, and I want to make sure that that’s not the case with me.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

I believe the core responsibility for representing the first district of Virginia and Congress would definitely be speaking for the average Virginian. We need more people in Congress who see the suffering of average America and I want to to see massive improvements for their quality of life.

What legacy would you like to leave?

The legacy of improving the quality of life for the American people

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

When j was 20 years old, seeing 9/11 occur was probably the first, most memorable and impactful US event in my life. It was both tragic and a moment of seeing our nation come together with the same purpose.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

My 1st job was working at Busch Gardens back in 1997 at age 15. It was seasonal work that I returned to for 2 summers.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Anything by Blake Pierce, she writes fictional suspense/investigative series, always with a powerful female main character, who has usually overcome countless hardships and trauma and always survives.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Annie January from the series, “The Boy”s. Her internal struggle to stay true to Her mother, and the past version of herself, while also coming into her own as she sees the reality of the world is very relatable. She also puts integrity over power, which I think is what more people need to do.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

“Surface pressure” from the movie Encanto

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

I think the biggest struggle for me was not recognizing the existence of trauma and hardship outside of my own personal bubble or circle. The last few years has really open my eyes and my ears to listening and educating myself on the lived experiences of others, and how that impacts their ability to exist on equal footing in our country.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics?

I feel it’s beneficial for representative to have a basic understanding of our government and more importantly, critical thinking. I also believe that experience can look very different, sometimes our lived experiences are crucial. Me, being a mother, wife and for many years in my life, someone who lived paycheck to paycheck, I have a far better understanding of what the average American is wanting and needing for day to day life and they can translate as a member of congress.

What do you perceive to be the United States' greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?

I fear the downfall of our education system and the increases of social media dependency will lead to crippling of our society. I also fear the continued gerrymandering and bias redistricting in many states will allow minority leaders making decisions for the majority. We need to see voter rights implemented at a federal level or democracy will die.

Do you believe that two years is the right term length for representatives?

I feel 2 or even 4 years are adequate amounts of time to implement true change in policy and our government.

What are your thoughts on term limits?

I feel term limits need to exist! We have too many politicians getting comfortable in their roles and their comfort is leading to complacency, on so many issues. Term limits will allow for others to take on these roles and hopefully invoke real change in politics

Is there a particular representative, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

There are so many progressive representatives I am proud to see making their way into congress; Cory Booker, AOC and Bernie Sanders, to name a few. I truly just want to be a voice for the people, not a corporate talking head, like so many in office currently.

Both sitting representatives and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

Recently I openly discussed my first mammogram, at age 40, on my platform and a woman commented that she was happy to finally be getting her 1st mammogram at 53 years old. When I asked why she had waited over 13 years, her reply was, “I finally had insurance to cover it”. This is not what I want our country to represent. Preventative healthcare should be and I plan for it TO BE a right, and NOT a privilege.

Tell us your favorite joke.

Probably telling my kids when they get hurt, “don’t worry, it’ll heal before you get married”

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

I do believe compromise in any situation is necessary to get people talking and for change to occur, but I also believe we must draw hard lines in the sand. When we bend to far, we lose what we were fighting for. Compromise shouldn’t lead to giving up full control.

The Constitution says that all bills for raising revenue must originate in the House. What role would this power play in your priorities if elected?

I will prioritize People over profits when it comes to revenue. I also want to see a livable wage for the American people and access to higher education for all.