See below for a press release from a new candidate, Dr. Nila Devanath, for Congress in VA02, which is currently MISrepresented by the abysmal Trump loyalist/MAGA Rep. Jen Kiggans (R). Dr. Devanath joins several other Democrats in this race: Burk Stringfellow, Patrick Mosolf, Nicolaus Sleister, Michael Williamson and James Osyf (several other possible candidates have been rumored, including VA State Senator Aaron Rouse and VA Del. Michael Feggans). This district is a “purple” district – very competitive – which “encompasses all of the counties of Accomack [4% of the district], Northampton [2% of the district], and Isle of Wight [5% of the district]; all of the independent cities of Virginia Beach [57% of the district], Suffolk [13% of the district], and Franklin [1% of the district]; part of the independent city of Chesapeake [17% of the district]; and part of Southampton County [1% of the district].”
Just to give a flavor of the district’s political makeup, in 2024 Donald Trump won it by just 0.2 points (49.3%-41%), while Tim Kaine won it by 2 points (51%-49%). Also, since 2008, the district’s been represented by Glenn Nye (D) for one term, then Scott Rigell (R) for three terms, then Scott Taylor (R) for a term, then Elaine Luria (D) for two terms, and now Jen Kiggans (R) – first elected in November 2022 by 3.4 points over then-Rep. Luria. So clearly, this is a winnable district, particularly in a strong “blue wave” year, and it’s a district that Democrats are HEAVILY targeting to win in November 2026 – it’s really crucial for Democrats’ chances of taking back the US House. Which is why we need a super-strong candidate here, and why it’s likely to be a highly competitive Democratic primary next June!
As for Dr. Nila Devanath, as her press release states, she’s a hospital physician and “daughter of immigrants who built their lives in Hampton Roads.” She says she’s “running to fight for the families, veterans, and working people she cares for every day by fixing the broken health care system and lowering costs for hardworking families.” She has roots in the Navy, which is relevant in this military-heavy district, with her mother having “worked for the Navy as a Tricare primary care doctor.”
Regarding Rep. Jen Kiggans, the press release correctly notes that she “broke her promise to protect Medicaid, voted to take health care away from 300,000 Virginians and put our hospitals at risk of closing, and just this week admitted she has no plan for Virginians who will lose coverage when ACA subsidies expire.” Just for that alone, Kiggans should be replaced by voters next November, but there are many, many more reasons why Kiggans needs to go, including that she’s completely ineffective, a pathological liar, anything but a “moderate” in this purple district, etc. So VA02 Democrats will have an important choice to make in June 2026, and hopefully will pick a nominee who combines the ability to beat Kiggans with the potential to be a great member of Congress!
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Dr. Nila Devanath Launches Campaign for Congress in Virginia’s 2nd District
Hospital physician and daughter of Hampton Roads running to defend health care, lower costs, and hold Washington accountable.
Hampton Roads, VA — Today, Dr. Nila Devanath, a hospital physician, announced her campaign for Congress in Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District. The daughter of immigrants who built their lives in Hampton Roads, Nila is running to fight for the families, veterans, and working people she cares for every day by fixing the broken health care system and lowering costs for hardworking families.
Nila’s story is rooted in service. Her mother worked for the Navy as a Tricare primary care doctor, and she grew up surrounded by health care workers who taught her the value of community and service. Before becoming a doctor, she practiced law defending survivors of domestic violence at a legal aid clinic, deepening her commitment to standing up for those too often left behind. Now as an acute care doctor, she serves her Hampton Roads community including veteran and active duty families.
“In our hospitals, I see every day what happens when Washington fails to act. Families wait months for care. Veterans are forced to split their pills in half. Patients with diabetes lose their lives avoiding treatment for something as simple as a small cut because they’re afraid of the medical bills that will follow,” said Nila. “Rep. Jen Kiggans and I both swore to care for our patients, but in Washington she’s turned her back on that promise. As a doctor, I can’t stand by while families suffer. I’m running for Congress to fix this broken system for my patients, for our veterans, and for every family who deserves better.”
Nila is ready to put her patients and the families of Virginia’s 2nd first in Congress. She’ll fight to lower costs — from skyrocketing health care premiums to housing, groceries, and utility bills — and to push back on the reckless attacks on Medicaid, cut drug prices, ensure veterans get the care they earned, and safeguard coverage for the 300,000 Virginians now at risk of losing it.
Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District is one of the most competitive in the country and could decide control of the U.S. House. Rep. Jen Kiggans broke her promise to protect Medicaid, voted to take health care away from 300,000 Virginians and put our hospitals at risk of closing, and just this week admitted she has no plan for Virginians who will lose coverage when ACA subsidies expire. Nila is running to bring integrity and compassion back to Washington — to fight for her patients, protect health care, and live up to her oath to care for this community every single day.
For more on the campaign, please visit niladevanath.com.
