Interesting – Democrats have an announced candidate to take on the godawful (no principles or honesty; a huge step down from Elaine Luria in every way; thinks abortion is “elective surgery”; “cheered the end of Roe v. Wade and said she was “100%, unapologetically pro-life”; goes along with the extreme MAGA agenda in Congress; literally RAN AWAY from reporters rather than answer a question on Trump’s Big Lie about the 2020 election; etc.) Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-VA02).
So obviously, we need to defeat Kiggans in November 2024, and it’s definitely possible, given that VA02 went for Joe Biden by 2 points and for Mark Warner by 4.1 points in 2020. The Democrat who’s announcing this morning is Missy Cotter Smasal – “a Navy veteran, mom, and former small business owner” – who previously ran for State Senate in 2019, losing 52%-48% to Sen. Bill DeSteph (R). See below for her press release, which lists a bunch of endorsements, including former Gov. Ralph Northam and former First Lady of Virginia Pam Northam; Rep. Jennifer McClellan (D-VA04); Sen. Louise Lucas; and numerous others (although not former Rep. Elaine Luria or VA Sen. Aaron Rouse, who’s also been rumored to be interested in running for this seat). Anyway, we’ll see how it goes, but the bottom line for me is that I want the strongest Democrat who can defeat Kiggans, take back this district for Democrats, and of course be an excellent member of Congress.
Missy Cotter Smasal Launches Campaign for Congress in Virginia’s Second Congressional District
VIRGINIA BEACH — Today, Missy Cotter Smasal, a Navy veteran, mom, and former small business owner, is announcing her candidacy to represent Virginia’s Second Congressional District with an emphasis on standing up for Coastal Virginia’s families, military, and veterans.
“I’m running for Congress because I truly love Coastal Virginia. I served as a Surface Warfare Officer in the United States Navy and, after finishing active duty, my husband and I chose to start our family here in Virginia Beach. I owned a small business that employed over a hundred local students, teachers, and retirees for over a decade. And now, I run a nonprofit that honors fallen servicewomen,” said Missy Cotter Smasal, candidate for Virginia’s Second Congressional District. “I was compelled to run because our current Congresswoman, who promised to stand up for Coastal Virginia and focus on military families and veterans, has not done so. She voted to cut veterans’ health benefits and then lied about it. Virginia’s veterans deserve a member of Congress who will honor our promises, not ones, like Kiggans, who vote to take away their benefits, threaten military readiness, and use servicemembers as political leverage. I feel called to serve, because extremist DC politicians, like Jen Kiggans, fail to support the people of this district. I will always stand up for Coastal Virginia’s families, veterans, and the future of our home.”
In Congress, Missy will be laser focused on Coastal Virginia priorities, particularly the local economy, education, and military and veteran issues. “As a former small business owner, I saw in real time how chaos in Washington can impact businesses in Hampton Roads. Our local economy thrives when government and military services are stable and reliable. I will always advocate for policies that allow Coastal Virginia to flourish,” said Cotter Smasal.
In addition, Missy’s campaign announced she has earned the endorsement of over 20 federal and local elected officials in Virginia. The list includes:
- Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan
- Governor Ralph Northam and First Lady Pamela Northam
- Senator Louise Lucas – President Pro Tempore, Senate of Virginia, District 18
- Senator Lynnwood Lewis – Senate of Virginia, District 6
- Delegate David Bulova – Virginia House of Delegate, District 37
- Delegate Cliff Hayes – Virginia House of Delegate, District 77
- Delegate Clinton Jenkins – Virginia House of Delegate, District 76
- Hon. Alex Askew – Former Virginia House of Delegate, District 85 & Candidate for Virginia House of Delegate, District 95
- Hon. Nadarius Clark – Former Virginia House of Delegate, District 79 & Candidate for Virginia House of Delegate, District 84
- Hon. Nancy Guy – Former Virginia House of Delegate, District 83
- Hon. Jay Jones – Former Virginia House of Delegate, District 89
- Michael Feggans – Candidate for Virginia House of Delegate, District 97
- Phil Hernandez – Candidate for Virginia House of Delegate, District 94
- Commissioner of the Revenue Phil Kellam – Virginia Beach Commissioner of the Revenue
- Councilwoman Dr. Amelia Ross Hammond – Virginia Beach City Council, District 4
- Councilman Worth Remick – Virginia Beach City Council, District 6
- Councilwoman Dr. Ella Ward – Chesapeake City Council Member
- Beverly Anderson – Virginia Beach School Board Member
- Karen Jenkins – Community Activist and Candidate for Virginia House of Delegate, District 89
- Staci Martin – Virginia Beach School Board Member, District 4
- Kim Melnyk – Virginia Beach School Board Member, District 2
ABOUT MISSY COTTER SMASAL
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 started a small business in Virginia Beach, Rita’s Shore Drive, which she owned and operated for over 10 years.
Missy currently serves as the Virginia Citizen Representative on the Chesapeake Bay Commission, 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 produces running events to honor the U.S. military women who have served our nation since 9/11. She is also an adjunct professor at Old Dominion University.
She and her husband, Bryan, who served as an Army Officer, are the proud parents of two great kids in Virginia Beach Public Schools. Missy is running for Congress to fight for coastal Virginians, military families, and veterans. She will stand up for our local values and priorities, and push back against extreme politicians in DC.
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