Competitive Virginia US House race focuses on economic security

With weeks to go before Election Day, the candidates in a competitive Virginia US House race took part in a televised debate.

The two candidates competing for one of the hottest US House races in the country squared off in a debate last week in Virginia Beach. 

Democratic challenger Missy Cotter Smasal and Republican incumbent Jen Kiggans, both veterans of the US Navy, are vying to represent Virginia’s 2nd congressional district, which is anchored by Virginia Beach and stretches north to Virginia’s Eastern Shore. The pair took part in a televised debate last week at Virginia Wesleyan University. You can watch a replay of the debate here. 

Wondering what the deal with all these Virginia congressional races is? @drsfarnsworth has you covered with a breakdown of why these elections matter pic.twitter.com/SE6kntcokJ

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During the debate, Cotter Smasal attacked Kiggans for being too aligned with the most conservative and extreme members of the Republican Party and for not doing enough to help improve the lives of 2nd District voters.

“Jen Kiggans and her MAGA teammates, who have a majority in Congress, have delivered only chaos and dysfunction,” Cotter Smasal said. “They’ve been named one of the least productive in history.”

Read more: Coastal Virginia congressional candidates present stark contrast on abortion rights

Kiggans said her priorities in another term would be to combat inflation and secure the US border with Mexico, though she did not say exactly what policies could bring down prices or improve America’s immigration system. 

“I’m running for reelection to return security for our families and to fight for the people I represent in government,” Kiggans said. 

The Republican leaning district Kiggans represents is home to many service members and has a history of backing candidates from both political parties. Kiggans won the seat in 2022 when she defeated Democrat Elaine Luria, who had won the seat from a Republican in 2018. Cotter Smasal is a former small business owner and runs a nonprofit. 

On the issue of the economy, Kiggans wants to reduce government spending and maintain America’s energy independence. The term “American energy independence” can mean different things depending on the context, and during the Biden administration US production of oil and gas has grown.  

“We’ve got to stop, again, the wasteful spending,” Kiggans said. “We’ve got to unleash American energy independence.” 

Cotter Smasal criticized Kiggans for going along with Republicans willing to risk government shutdowns, which would be particularly harmful to Virginia’s 2nd District with its large military presence. Cotter Smasal also attacked Kiggans for not addressing the needs of working class people and supporting millions of dollars in tax breaks for the ultra wealthy.

“She supports adding to the debt by allowing large corporations to exploit tax loopholes to pay not a dime in taxes,” Cotter Smasal said. 

Read more: Jen Kiggans voted in 2020 against reforms for predatory payday lenders who target military members