Eric Phillips, 49, is seeking re-election to the Virginia House of Delegates representing District 48 as the Republican nominee. He will face Melody Cartwright, the Democratic nominee and an opponent he previously defeated in the 2023 special election. If re-elected, Phillips said he plans to continue prioritizing the interests of the Martinsville-Henry County area.
Phillips said he will maintain his focus on pro-life policies, economic development, and protecting Second Amendment rights.
“I’m glad to be running again for this seat, protecting those traditional rules that we mostly share in this area,” he said.
“As the senior delegate from Southside, I will continue to be a champion for our traditional values. Since 2024, I have worked tirelessly to deliver for our district’s families and be a voice for common-sense conservative solutions. I look forward to continuing to fight for lower taxes, safer schools, and better communities that make our region the best place to live, work, and raise a family in our Commonwealth,” Phillips said.
He expressed pride in the area’s recent economic growth, citing the Commonwealth Crossing Business Centre project and the return of high-paying jobs.
“We’ve had a long fight back,” Phillips said. “The reason I’m running again is for economic development and jobs, for creating more housing, and traditional conservative values like being pro-life and pro-Second Amendment. Looking at the rights of victims more than looking out for the rights of criminals.”
Phillips said his time in Richmond has taught him the importance of relationship-building.
“You have to be an honest, decent person if you’re going to get any bills passed and money back to your area,” he said. He emphasized the need for cooperation without compromising core beliefs. “I’ve been pretty successful in getting bills past.”
Phillips said he maintains strong working relationships with local leaders, including in Pittsylvania County, and spends significant time advocating for his district. His goal, he said, is to ensure residents continue to enjoy “a great place to live and work.”
Phillips serves on several boards and committees. He is a member of the Board of Directors for the Boys and Girls Club of the Blue Ridge, chair of the Henry County-Martinsville Republican Committee, Region 6 vice chair of the 9th Congressional District, and a member of the Republican Party of Virginia’s State Central Committee.
He also is chairman of the City of Martinsville’s Industrial Development Authority, chairman-elect of the Martinsville-Henry County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, and serves on the chamber’s Executive Committee. In addition, he is a board member of the Uptown Partnership, a Virginia Main Street organization, and serves on the Blue Ridge Innovation Corridor committee.
“Serving in the House of Delegates is a privilege that I do not take lightly. We accomplished a lot of what Governor Youngkin set out to accomplish this session, but there is still work to be done. I would be honored to earn your vote, and I am excited to continue working every day to earn your trust,” Phillips said.
Much of Phillips’ time is spent on legislative duties and community involvement.
“If you add all that together, and you have two grandkids and one on the way, you don’t have a lot of time for hobbies,” he said. “When I am with my boys, I like to ride our four-wheelers, and I like to play golf when I have time, which is not enough.”
Phillips, his wife, Rebecca, and family attend the same church his grandparents helped establish, wand here Phillips said he met “the love of his life.” The couple have three children—Brandon, Tanner, and Lexi — and one grandson, Hutton. A second grandchild is expected soon.
“I will have three grandchildren. We are multiplying; we are stimulating the economy all by ourselves,” Phillips said. He added that he goes by “Pop” and feels like a young grandfather, while his wife enjoys being a grandmother.
