A Republican Party candidate from Virginia has admitted that he 'borrowed' his friend's wife and children to pose with him for a 'family photo', which was later circulated by the National Republican Congressional Committee as part of the campaign.
Derrick Anderson, GOP's House candidate from Virginia's 7th district, posted a photo of himself with a woman and children which appears to be a family photo. In another photo, Anderson can be seen with the same group of people sitting in a dining space.
However, Anderson, who is engaged as per his campaign, does not have a wife or children. His website states that he lives alone with his dog.
The photo went viral on social media shortly after a New York Times report mentioned it. Users on social media slammed the Virginia Republican for 'borrowing a family.' Accusations also came from opponents accusing Anderson of projecting himself as pro-family amid the ongoing campaign.
Here are some of the reactions:
A Democrat from Texas wrote: "New levels of weird and creepy. A Republican candidate in an open house seat in Virginia, Derrick Anderson, has taken posed family style photos with people WHO HE IS NOT RELATED TO. THESE ARE NOT HIS CHILDREN AND THAT AINT HIS WIFE."
New levels of weird and creepy. A Republican candidate in an open house seat in Virginia, Derrick Anderson, has taken posed family style photos with people WHO HE IS NOT RELATED TO. THESE ARE NOT HIS CHILDREN AND THAT AINT HIS WIFE.https://t.co/DjTYjXsxilpic.twitter.com/Vs1ydApG0r
— Olivia Julianna 🇺🇸🦅🗳️ (@0liviajulianna) September 27, 2024
Congressman Ted Lieu wrote: "Dear @JDVance : You said that people without children “don’t really have a direct stake” in our country. Do you think that applies to GOP candidate Derrick Anderson, who doesn’t have children but is trying to mislead voters by renting a family in his pictures? Asking for a friend."
Dear @JDVance: You said that people without children “don’t really have a direct stake” in our country. Do you think that applies to GOP candidate Derrick Anderson, who doesn’t have children but is trying to mislead voters by renting a family in his pictures? Asking for a friend. https://t.co/30wadN5Xk8
— Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) September 27, 2024
Another said: "It's amusing to see Republican candidates posing for pix with wives and children to project a softer image. Except that the women and children aren't always theirs. As in Derrick Anderson."
It's amusing to see Republican candidates posing for pix with wives and children to project a softer image.Except that the women and children aren't always theirs.As in Derrick Anderson.
— Ramone Quides (@ramonequides) September 27, 2024