From former Rep. Elaine Luria (D-VA02):
New Report Finds Virginia Beach Hardest Hit by Kiggans-Trump Agenda
Virginia Beach lost more jobs than almost any major U.S. city with a population of one million or more
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – A new report from the Brookings Institution found that Virginia Beach lost more jobs than any other major city in the U.S. with a population of one million or more due to policies supported by Rep. Jen Kiggans.
The report found that employment numbers in Virginia Beach shrank by 1.4%, the second-highest job loss of the 55 U.S. cities highlighted in the report from December 2024 to December 2025.
“This report makes it even clearer that Jen Kiggans’ and Donald Trump’s agenda is hurting our community,” Rep. Luria said. “As Kiggans continues to put her own political career first by supporting Trump’s reckless policies 100 percent of the time, Coastal Virginians are losing their jobs in record numbers, paying more for groceries, and losing their health insurance. Families can’t afford anymore of Congresswoman Kiggans’ failed leadership.”
Kiggans has a clear, established record of voting for higher prices. In February, she once again voted to protect Trump’s reckless tariffs despite members of her own party breaking with the President. She also previously voted to protect the tariffs in March of 2025 and again in September of 2025. In January, Jen Kiggans voted against extending the Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits as Virginians face skyrocketing health care costs because of her inaction. Jen Kiggans refused to sign a bipartisan measure in December backed by a majority of members of Congress that would extend the ACA tax credits.
Kiggans has established a pattern of promising Virginians one thing in public, only to turn around and vote the other way in Washington. Kiggans lied when she promised to protect access to health care, only to turn around and vote for the largest cuts to Medicaid in history. Kiggans lied again when she promised to protect clean energy tax credits, but then “flip-flopped” and voted to take a “sledgehammer” to the credits instead. Kiggans has voted 100% of the time with Donald Trump – demonstrating that she puts her D.C. party bosses ahead of the Virginians she claims to represent.
In addition to being added to the DCCC’s competitive Red to Blue program, Rep. Luria has secured key endorsements from Gov. Abigail Spanberger, Sen. Tim Kaine, Sen. Mark Warner, President Pro Tempore of the Senate of Virginia Louise Lucas, former Gov. Terry McAuliffe, VoteVets, New Politics, 314 Action Fund, League of Conservation Voters (LCV) Action Fund, EMILY’s List, DMFI, and Elect Democratic Women.
