6 GOP Candidates Vie for Special Election in Virginia House District 98

The election was called after the death of Del. Barry Knight, who served the district for over a decade.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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Six Republicans and one Democrat have announced plans to run for the Virginia House District 98 special election, which was called after the death of Del. Barry Knight last week. The Republican Party of Virginia Beach will hold a canvass today to select their candidate, while Cheryl Smith is the lone Democrat running. The district leans Republican, and the special election will be held on March 17.

Why it matters

The special election in District 98 is significant as it will determine the representation for a key Virginia Beach district that has been held by a Republican for over a decade. The outcome could shift the partisan balance in the state legislature, making it an important race to watch.

The details

The six Republican candidates include former state Del. Tim Anderson, real estate agent Pieri Burton, veteran and small business owner Ben Loyola, Virginia Beach Planning Commission member Michael Mauch, assistant commonwealth's attorney Andrew Rice, and Zachery Taylor, nephew of former U.S. Rep. Scott Taylor. The lone Democrat is Cheryl Smith, who lost to Knight in November. Early in-person voting will begin on March 6 and continue through March 14.

  • Del. Barry Knight died last week.
  • The Republican Party of Virginia Beach will hold a canvass today to select their candidate.
  • The special election will be held on March 17.
  • Early in-person voting will begin on March 6 and continue through March 14.

The players

Barry Knight

The late Virginia House of Delegates member who represented District 98 and passed away last week.

Cheryl Smith

The lone Democratic candidate who lost to Knight in November and is running again for the special election.

Tim Anderson

A former state delegate who represented House District 83 from 2021 to 2023 and is now running for the District 98 seat.

Ben Loyola

A veteran and small business owner who is running for the District 98 seat.

Andrew Rice

An assistant commonwealth's attorney in Virginia Beach who is running to continue Knight's "legacy" in the district.

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What they’re saying

“There's just some void up there of a bulldog personality like mine.”

— Tim Anderson, Former state delegate (pilotonline.com)

“I have great respect for our friend Barry and the leadership he consistently showed as our Delegate. My goal is to do my very best to bring my record of success in business and serving our nation in the military to uphold the standard he set.”

— Ben Loyola, Veteran and small business owner (pilotonline.com)

“He was such a force in Richmond, but I knew him as such a close family friend, church member, and short stop for our softball team. Please help me continue such a great legacy.”

— Andrew Rice, Assistant commonwealth's attorney (pilotonline.com)

What’s next

The results of the Republican Party of Virginia Beach's canvass to select their candidate will be available after the vote today.

The takeaway

The special election in Virginia House District 98 will be a closely watched race as it will determine the representation for a key Virginia Beach district that has been held by a Republican for over a decade. The outcome could shift the partisan balance in the state legislature, making it an important race to watch.