Big endorsement for Democrat Missy Cotter Smasal in the key, competitive (Joe Biden won it 50%-48% in 2020), VA02 (Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Suffolk, etc.). Currently, VA02 is MISrepresented by Republican Jen Kiggans, who is a disaster in pretty much every way – for more, see Chaos Caucus Agent Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-VA02) Is “Frustrated” with Chaos Of Her Own Making , Rep. Elise Stefanik Refuses to Commit to Certifying the 2024 Election – Will Jen Kiggans?, This Morning, Far-Right-Extremist Elise Stefanik Stood by Trump’s Hitler-Like Language, Referred to 1/6/21 Insurrectionists as “Hostages,” etc. This Afternoon, Stefanik Helps Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-VA02) Kick Off Her 2024 Reelection Campaign. UGH., DCCC: As Trump Plagiarizes Mein Kampf, Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-VA02) Stays Silent, Refuses to Condemn Wannabe Dictator, etc. So let’s make sure we win VA02 this November, reversing the travesty of Kiggans defeating the superb Elaine Luria in 2020!
P.S. There’s another Democratic candidate – Jake Denton – in this primary, but so far, almost all the endorsements have been for Missy Cotter Smasal, including this morning’s by House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
NEW: Missy Cotter Smasal Secures Major Endorsement from House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries
VIRGINIA BEACH, VA — Today, Missy Cotter Smasal announced House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries has endorsed her campaign for Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District. Leader Jeffries is the latest endorser to join Cotter Smasal’s political powerhouse of over 40+ Virginia state and local elected officials supporting her in the race for Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District.
House Democratic Leader Jeffries’ endorsement comes only weeks after the DCCC announced Missy Cotter Smasal has been added to its highly competitive Red to Blue program for the 2024 cycle. Candidates are added to the Red to Blue program after hitting significant benchmarks related to overall campaign infrastructure, fundraising, and on the ground engagement. This selection marks their candidacy as key to the path to Democratic majority.
Candidate for Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District Missy Cotter Smasal is challenging vulnerable Republican freshman incumbent Jen Kiggans who now has a devastating record of voting against the veterans, servicemembers, and Coastal Virginia families she was elected to represent. Jen Kiggans has embraced the far-right chaos dominating her caucus, making this Biden district one of the most competitive races in the country.
“As a small business owner and Navy veteran, Missy Cotter Smasal understands the challenges Coastal Virginians are facing,” said House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries. “In Congress, Missy will be a trusted partner to make Virginia’s 2nd District safer and more affordable. I’m proud to stand with Missy as we fight to put an end to MAGA extremism and continue to put people over politics.”
“I’m thankful for Democratic leaders like Leader Hakeem Jeffries who have joined our team and have shown their confidence in my ability to best represent Coastal Virginia,” said Missy Cotter Smasal. “I’m running for Congress because Coastal Virginians want serious leaders who are focused on solving problems instead of political chaos. Our district deserves a new representative who will help Coastal Virginians afford basic necessities like groceries and housing, protect our personal freedoms and bodily autonomy, and keep the government open and functioning.”
Missy’s full list of endorsements includes:
- House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (NY-08)
- House Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (MA-05)
- Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (VA-04)
- Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger (VA-07)
- Congressman Don Beyer (VA-08)
- Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton (VA-10)
- Congressman Gerry Connolly (VA-11)
- Congressman Steny Hoyer (MD-05)
- Former Virginia Governor Ralph Northam
- Former First Lady of Virginia Pam Northam
- State Senator Creigh Deeds (VA SD-11)
- State Senator Ghazala Hashmi (VA SD-15)
- State Senator Louise Lucas (VA SD-18)
- State Senator Scott Surovell (VA SD-34)
- State Senator Dave Marsden (VA SD-35)
- State Senator Barbara Favola (VA SD-40)
- Former State Senator Lynwood Lewis (VA SD-6)
- Delegate David Bulova (VA HD-11)
- Delegate Nadarius Clark (VA HD-84)
- Delegate Cliff Hayes (VA HD-91)
- Delegate Phil Hernandez (VA HD-94)
- Delegate Alex Askew (VA HD-95)
- Delegate Michael Feggans (VA HD-97)
- Former Delegate Clinton Jenkins (VA HD-76)
- Former Delegate Nancy Guy (VA HD-83)
- Former Delegate Jay Jones (VA HD-89)
- Newport News Mayor Phillip Jones
- Chesapeake Councilwoman Dr. Ella Ward (District 4)
- Virginia Beach Commissioner of Revenue Phil Kellam
- Virginia Beach Councilman Worth Remick (District 6)
- Virginia Beach Councilwoman Dr. Amelia Ross Hammond (District 4)
- Virginia Beach School Board Member Beverly Anderson (At Large)
- Virginia Beach School Board Member Kim Melnyk (District 2)
- Virginia Beach School Board Member Staci Martin (District 4)
- Former Virginia Beach School Board Member Carolyn Rye (District 5)
- Former Virginia Beach School Board Member Sharon Felton (District 6)
- Community Leader Karen Jenkins
- Democrats Who Serve
- EMILYs List
- Jobs of Tomorrow
- National Women’s Political Caucus
- Planned Parenthood Action Fund
- VoteVets
- VoteMama
BACKGROUND
Missy Cotter Smasal served as a Surface Warfare Officer in the U.S. Navy and deployed aboard the U.S.S. Trenton during Operation Enduring Freedom. After her active duty service, Missy owned and operated a small business in Virginia Beach for over a decade.
Missy currently serves as the Virginia Citizen Representative on the Chesapeake BayCommission, a bipartisan commission that has achieved consistently strong and effective results in pursuit of Bay restoration goals. She is the Executive Director for Valor Run, a local non-profit that honors the U.S. military women who have served our nation since 9/11. She is also an adjunct professor at Old Dominion University.
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