Suffolk, VA — Today, retired Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel Michael Williamson announced his campaign to represent Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District, pledging to restore accountability in Washington and deliver real leadership for Hampton Roads.
“I’m running for Congress because I swore to defend this country — and I meant it,” said Williamson, who is running in the Democratic primary. “We need a new mission in Congress: one that puts country over party and people over politics.”
View Michael Williamson’s announcement video, “Boots,” here.
A decorated combat veteran, father, and public servant, Williamson served 20 years in the Marine Corps, including six tours overseas in Iraq, Afghanistan, Africa, and Asia. He led troops through some of the most dangerous combat zones in the world, helped evacuate U.S. Embassies, and later served at the Pentagon and with NATO in Hampton Roads.
The first in his extended family to graduate college, Mike grew up on a farm, shaped by hard work, union values, and a long tradition of military service dating back to the Civil War.
Now living in Suffolk with his wife, a pediatric urologist, and their two sons, Williamson is stepping up once again — this time to take on the urgent challenges facing Coastal Virginia families.
“Jen Kiggans lied to us,” said Williamson. “She voted to cut billions from veterans care and blow up our deficit to give handouts to her rich donors.”
Rep. Jen Kiggans has repeatedly voted against veterans and working families:
- Kiggans does Trump’s bidding — supporting his dangerous policies like cutting Medicaid and food assistance for working families — all to fund more tax breaks for millionaires and billionaires.
- She has repeatedly voted against veterans — she opposed the PACT Act and voted to cut VA care.
- She sided with payday lenders who prey on military families, then took nearly $20,000 in campaign contributions from their political allies.
- She voted against banning private prisons after accepting money from a private prison operator.
- She supports a national abortion ban with no exceptions for rape, incest, or to save a woman’s life.
“Jen Kiggans has failed to protect the people she was elected to represent. Whether it’s veterans, military families, or Virginia women —she’s turned her back on them,” Williamson said. “We need a new mission in Congress: one that puts country over party and people over politics.”
Williamson’s campaign will focus on expanding economic opportunity, defending constitutional checks and balances, protecting veterans’ care, lowering costs for families, and ensuring reproductive freedom.
“Service doesn’t end when the uniform comes off,” said Williamson. “That’s why I’m stepping up again — to lead with integrity, fight for what’s right, and make sure every family in Hampton Roads gets the honest, effective leadership they deserve.”
To learn more, visit Williamson4Congress.com.
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