Virginia Representative Jen Kiggans Secures Reelection Victory
Three competitive districts remained with the same parties: the Republican incumbent held onto the 2nd congressional district, while Democrats secured victories in the 7th and 10th.
RICHMOND, Va.—Despite being toss-up races, both Democrats and Republicans retained control of their respective districts in Virginia, which could play a crucial role in determining the next House majority.
Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-Va.) successfully defended her seat in the 2nd congressional district centered around Virginia Beach. In the fiercely contested 7th and 10th congressional districts in northern Virginia, Democratic candidates Eugene Vindman and Suhas Subramanyam emerged victorious in their respective open seats.
First-term Congresswoman Kiggans, a former Virginia state Senator and retired Navy helicopter pilot, defeated Democratic challenger Missy Cotter Smasal, a retired Navy officer and former small business owner, by a 4.1-point margin.
Democrat Eugene Vindman secured victory in the district by 2.2 points, defeating Republican Derrick Anderson. Both candidates are Army veterans and lawyers. Vindman raised nearly $16 million, while Anderson raised almost $3 million according to the Virginia Public Access Project.
Vindman gained recognition for his involvement in President Donald Trump’s first impeachment alongside his twin brother Alexander Vindman. They reported Trump’s alleged pressure on Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to investigate Joe Biden in a 2019 call, leading to Trump’s first impeachment inquiry.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) supported their candidates in these districts.
Real Clear Politics labeled the race in the 10th district a “tossup” just before Election Day. Rep. Jennifer Wexton (D-Va.), who announced her retirement due to health reasons, had previously defeated her opponent by a 6.5% margin in 2022.
Virginia state Sen. Suhas Subramanyam emerged victorious in the open 10th district race against business executive Mike Clancy.
