GOP candidate Derrick Anderson’s fake family photo. (Photo: NRCC)

A Republican Party candidate Virginia has admitted that he “borrowed” his friend’s wife and children to pose with him for a “family photo” that was later distributed by the National Republican Congressional Committee as part of the campaign.

Derrick AndersonRepublican candidate for the House of Representatives from Virginia’s 7th District, posted a photo of himself with a wife and children that appeared to be a family photo. In another photo, Anderson is seen with the same group of people sitting in a dining area.

However, Anderson, who the campaign says is engaged, has neither a wife nor children. His website says he lives alone with his dog.

The photo went viral on social media shortly after it was featured in a New York Times report. Social media users criticized the Virginia Republican for “borrowing a family.” There were also allegations from opponents who accused Anderson of portraying himself as pro-family during the current election campaign.

Here are some of the reactions:

A Texas Democrat wrote: “A new level of weird and creepy. A Republican candidate at an open house in Virginia, Derrick Anderson, took posed family-style photos with people he is not related to. These are not his children and such.” IS HIS WIFE.

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 kids but is trying? Misleading voters by renting a family and asking for a boyfriend in his pictures.”

Another said: “It’s amusing to see Republican candidates posing for photos with women and children to project a softer image. Except the women and children don’t always belong to them. Like Derrick Anderson.”