Rich Anderson (Virginia politician)

Rich Anderson
Official portrait, 1993
Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Manpower and Reserve Affairs
Assumed office
September 22, 2025
PresidentDonald Trump
Preceded byAlex Wagner
Chair of the Virginia Republican Party
In office
August 15, 2020 – April 12, 2025
Preceded byJack Wilson
Succeeded byMark Peake
Member of the Virginia House of Delegates
from the 51st district
In office
January 13, 2010 – January 10, 2018
Preceded byPaul F. Nichols
Succeeded byHala Ayala
20th National Commander of the Civil Air Patrol
In office
August 14, 1993 – August 10, 1996
PresidentBill Clinton
Preceded byWarren Barry
Succeeded byPaul Bergman
Personal details
Born (1955-05-30) May 30, 1955
PartyRepublican
SpouseRuth Valentine
EducationVirginia Tech (BA)
Webster University (MPA)
Military service
BranchUnited States Air Force
Service years1979–2009
RankColonel (USAF)
Brigadier General (CAP)
UnitCivil Air Patrol
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Richard L. Anderson (born May 30, 1955) is an American politician and retired Air Force Auxiliary general who served as the 20th national commander of the Civil Air Patrol 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).