New Ad Spending in Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District

The political experts at the Cook Political Report rate the race in Virginia’s 2nd congressional district as the closest in the state. It’s the only race listed as a “toss-up,” while each of the other 10 races is rated as either leaning toward or solid for one of the parties.

The district covers most of Tidewater, including the 19 military bases in Hampton Roads. The contest pits incumbent Republican Rep. Jen Kiggans against former Rep. Elaine Luria, the Democrat who won the seat in 2018 and lost it to Kiggans in 2022. Also in the race are Matt Baker and Bishop Staten, a pair of independent candidates who could pick off votes in a close contest.

Both women are Navy veterans, which is fitting for a district with approximately 100,000 active-duty military personnel and more than 220,000 veterans. The district has traditionally leaned Republican, although 53% of voters went for Democrat Abigail Spanberger in last year’s election.

Neither campaign responded to questions this week from the Daily Signal. Last month, Kiggans positioned herself as a problem solver during an interview with Norfolk television station WAVY. “I’m proud to have been ranked among the most bipartisan members of Congress. I don’t think people care whether a good idea comes from a Republican or a Democrat. They want us to bring people together, solve problems, keep our families safe, and make their lives a little easier.”

Luria told the same station that she would focus on local issues. “I want to make sure we have a representative who does what’s best for Hampton Roads, not just what’s best for her and for Donald Trump. And I want to make sure Washington ends the culture of corruption that allows politicians to use their offices for personal gain and profit off of their positions of power.”

Because the race is so tight, it is drawing in money from both sides. President Donald Trump’s PAC recently vowed to spend more than $800,000 on television ads in the district, part of the $138 million the president said he will spend to support Republicans nationwide this year.

The president also hosted a virtual town hall with Kiggans, Rep. John McGuire and Rep. Rob Wittman last month. “Jen Kiggans is a patriot who voted to ban insider trading by members of Congress, which I would totally support,” Trump said during that call. “But a radical left Democrat opponent, Elaine Luria, said she’s not gonna vote for that, and she’s part of the Pelosi corruption scandal that’s going on in Congress.” The president has also promised to campaign in 35 battleground districts, but it isn’t clear whether he will visit any of these three districts represented by Republicans.

The PAC spending would be Trump’s first investment in the commonwealth, and it is separate from the three ads that the Trump administration is already running, often during football games, and calls “public service announcements.” Those are being funded by a $20 million contract that the Department of Homeland Security signed with an advertising agency last month.

Money is flowing in to support Luria as well. This week, Democratic Majority for Israel PAC announced it will spend nearly $1 million on digital ads targeting Kiggans. “Elaine Luria has a proven record of putting her district first, standing up for our servicemembers and veterans, and being a strong voice for the U.S.-Israel relationship,” DMFI PAC President Brian Romick said. “We’re all-in to send Elaine Luria back to Congress.”

“We estimate that $15.77 million has been spent on this race over the last two years,” the group Quiver Quantitative wrote. “Democrats have outspent Republicans by $2.09 million over that time period, per our estimates.” Quiver, like Cook, calls the race a toss-up.

Other high-profile politicians may soon make campaign stops in the 2nd District. House Speaker Mike Johnson included Virginia on a list of 22 states he plans to visit before Nov. 3. “From coast to coast, I am leaving it all on the field to defend our House majority because the stakes have never been higher,” he told Axios. His complete travel schedule hasn’t been announced. Johnson made an earlier appearance in August alongside Kiggans in Virginia Beach.

No debates are scheduled between the candidates.

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