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Wednesday News: “Why the U.S. economy is beating the world”; “GOP Blames Biden for Border Crisis That GOP Refuses to Solve”; “Why MAGA fears Taylor Swift at the Super Bowl”; “Senate Democrats move to block Youngkin’s parole board chair”

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by Lowell

Here are a few international, national and Virginia news headlines, political and otherwise, for Wednesday, January 31.

Video: Sen. Tim Kaine Rips Donald Trump for His “Abhorrent” “Blame America First” Rhetoric re: Attack on US Servicemen in Jordan

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See below for video fo Sen. Tim Kaine nailing it on two important issues: 1) Donald Trump’s “abhorrent,” “blame America first”  blather regarding the attack on U.S. servicemen in Jordan; 2) the “laughable” House Republican impeachment of Alejandro Mayorkas – “this is the Speaker’s attempt to throw a sop to a right-wing faction within his caucus” – it’s “going nowhere.”

Report: Virginia Families, Employers Continue to Face Rising Health Insurance Premium and Deductible Costs Despite State Health Care Spending that is Below the National Average

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From the Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association (VHHA):

Report: Virginia Families, Employers Continue to Face Rising Health Insurance Premium and Deductible Costs Despite State Health Care Spending that is Below the National Average

An Analysis by Altarum, a Non-Partisan Research Firm, Finds that Virginia Health Care Spending and Spending as a Share of GDP are Below National Levels Even as Average Insurance Premiums – Increases of 76.6% for Single Coverage and 79.3% for Family Coverage – and Deductible Costs Keep Rising to Levels Now Approaching the National Average, Indicating Privately-Insured Virginians Don’t Financially Benefit from Lower State Health Care Spending at a Time When Insurance Costs are Rising at a Rate Higher than Growth in Insurance Company Spending on Health Care Services

RICHMOND, VA – When it comes to health care spending, Virginia is in the enviable position of having expenditure rates that remain well below national levels. The same cannot be said for health insurance costs, unfortunately.

On the contrary, the amount that individuals and families across the Commonwealth spend on annual health insurance premiums and out-of-pocket deductibles continues to rise sharply year-over-year. Meanwhile, the gap between what individuals and families pay for insurance, and what insurance companies pay for health care services, continues to widen. Those findings are part of a new report from the non-partisan research firm Altarum that examines 2022 health spending in Virginia based on data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Virginia’s All-Payer Claims Database, and other public sources.

The Altarum analysis shows that the average single health insurance premium in 2022 was $7,400 and the average family health insurance premium was $21,400 for people with private sector employer-sponsored health care coverage. When the average cost of deductibles is included, the averages increase to “$9,400 for single coverage and $25,200 for family coverage.”

The report further notes that “premiums for single coverage of a private-sector employee are up 76.6 percent and family premiums are 79.3 percent higher” since 2008. When increases in cost-sharing co-pays and deductibles for single and family plans are factored in, total plans costs in 2022 were 89.1 percent higher over that span in both categories. (see image below) Those increases have been a consistent trend, as a previous Altarum report on 2021 health care spending in Virginia similarly found significant growth in the total average cost of single and family health insurance premiums as well as growth in out-of-pocket costs.
 

 

While insurance costs impacting Virginia families and employers are rising, growth in total health spending has been restrained: personal health care spending in the Commonwealth remains below national averages across several measures including total spending as a percent of state gross domestic product (GDP) and per capita health care spending. The Altarum report found that “Virginia’s total health spending” as a percent of GDP “mainly stayed constant between 2015 and 2020 but has been declining in 2021 and 2022.” In fact, the share of state GDP spent on health care declined from 15.8 percent in the fourth quarter of 2020 to 14.7 percent in the fourth quarter of 2022, reflecting an amount of spending in Virginia that “is the lowest since 2011 and well below the national average.” (see image below)

In evaluating health care spending, the report notes that “Virginia’s estimated health spending per capita in 2022 was over $1,800 less than the national average.” That includes Virginians spending less than the national average on “professional, physician, and clinical services ($260 less per capita); hospital care ($570 less per capita); nursing home, residential, and home health ($130 less per capita); prescription drugs ($340 less per capita) and other care ($510 less per capita).”

 

The latest analysis from Altarum, which also produced reports on Virginia health care spending and employment trends in 20192020, and 2021, further notes that:

  • The largest payer for personal health care (PHC) products and services in Virginia is private health insurance, which spent an estimated $27.3 billion PHC in 2022. Next is Medicare at $18.5 billion and Medicaid at $15.3 billion.
  • Total health spending as a percentage of the state Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in Virginia fell from 15.8 percent in the fourth quarter of 2020 to 14.7 percent in the fourth quarter of 2022, an amount that is the lowest since 2011 and well below the national average (17.2 percent) of the economy that is spent on health care.
  • If Virginia had spent the same share of its GDP on health care as the U.S. average (17.2%), spending would have been $14.9 billion dollars more than the actual 2022 spending level ($113.7 billion versus the actual amount of $98.8 billion).
  • Even though aggregate health care spending in Virginia has been less than the national average, what privately-insured individuals and families in Virginia paid in premiums and out-of-pocket insurance costs in 2022 were similar to those paid by the average American.
  • The health care sector continues to be a significant employer in Virginia, accounting for 389,000 individuals employed in the fourth quarter of 2022, which is equivalent to about 11.5% of the total private sector employed population.
  • As of 2022, the unemployment rate in Virginia among those in health care industries was just 2.7% and even lower (2.1 percent) among those with health care-specific occupations.

About VHHA: The Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association is an alliance of 111 hospitals and 26 health delivery systems that develops and advocates for sound health care policy in the Commonwealth. Its mission is to achieve excellence in both health care and health to make Virginia the healthiest state in the nation. Its vision is through collaboration with members and stakeholders, to ensure the sustainability of Virginia’s health care system, transform the delivery of care to promote lower costs and high value across the continuum of care, and to improve health for all Virginians. Connect with VHHA through Facebook , X (Twitter)InstagramTikTokLinkedIn, and YouTube .

Affordable Virginia Releases New Ad Calling Out Rep. Jen Kiggans for Voting to Cut Child Care Funding

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From Affordable Virginia, “a project of Family Friendly Virginia…a grassroots campaign urging Congresswoman Jen Kiggans to stop siding with corporations and the ultra-wealthy and start fighting for policies that will lower costs for working families in Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District.”

Affordable Virginia Releases New Ad Calling Out Rep. Jen Kiggans for Voting to Cut Child Care Funding

~ Part of a $1.8M accountability campaign calling out the Virginia Beach Congresswoman ~

Virginia Beach, VA – Affordable Virginia released a second television ad as part of a $1.8 million campaign across radio, TV, digital, and print media, calling out Rep. Jennifer Kiggans for voting to cut funding for critical child care resources and calling on her to oppose further cuts. The advocacy organization has also placed full-page ads in The Virginian-Pilot and The Daily Press, which will run on Wednesday. Kiggans represents Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District, home to many of Virginia’s 127,000 active duty service members, with nearly 15% of residents being military veterans (more than twice the national average), and the ads emphasize the importance of affordable child care for veterans and their families.

“This is a significant investment in our ongoing efforts to ensure Congresswoman Kiggans hears our voices loud and clear,” said Affordable Virginia Organizing Director Joseph White. “We are not going to be silent. We are demanding Congresswoman Kiggans stop siding with corporations and the ultra-wealthy and stop voting for reckless cuts to essential support that working families rely on. We are encouraging Rep. Kiggans to support the Child Care Stabilization Act to lower child care costs for families across her district.”

The ad released today features Virginia Beach resident, navy veteran, military spouse, and working mother of five, Kassaundra. Kassaundra describes the challenges she and her husband faced trying to access child care, especially for their two-year-old who was recently diagnosed with autism. “For families like ours, child care is too expensive, and hardly anywhere is able to take my autistic son,” Kassaundra says in the ad. “But Congresswoman Jen Kiggans voted to hike child care costs, which would make it even harder for people like us.” The ad closes by encouraging constituents to ask Rep. Kiggans to support the Child Care Stabilization Act.

As a veteran and a military spouse, Kassaundra and her family are eligible for military child care programs and assistance but found waiting lists are so long and spots are so limited that they have not been able to get the assistance.

Kassaundra is referring to the Default on America Act and the September 2023 Continuing Resolution, both of which Kiggans voted for and included harmful cuts to child care funding. By contrast, the Child Care Stabilization Act would bolster funding for child care and reduce costs for families.

Default on America Act child care impacts: 

  • Gut funding for low-income students. According to a report from the White House, “The Default on America Act would cut approximately $70 million in funding for schools serving low-income children in Virginia— equivalent to removing nearly 1,100 teachers and specialized instructional support personnel from classrooms, impacting an estimated 330,000 students.”
  • Cut support for students with disabilities. According to the White House, “Under the Default on America Act, as many as 173,000 children in Virginia with disabilities would face reduced supports—a cut in IDEA funding equivalent to removing approximately 1,200 teachers and related service providers from the classroom.”
  • Eliminate 5,900 preschool and child care slots in Virginia. According to the White House, “The Default on America Act would mean 3,600 children in Virginia lose access to Head Start slots and 2,300 children lose access to child care—undermining our children’s education and making it more difficult for parents to join the workforce and contribute to our economy.”

September 2023 Continuing Resolution child care impacts:

Child Care Stabilization Act child care impacts: 

  • Bolster funding for child care: The Child Care Stabilization Act would provide $16 billion in mandatory funding each year for the next five years to ensure working families are able to access affordable child care around the country. This funding would support more than 220,000 child care providers that serve a total or more than 10 million kids.
  • According to the White House, $16 billion in funding for child care would be enormously beneficial for families in Virginia. The Commonwealth would receive $321 million in new funding for child care, which would benefit 4,980 providers and 317,600 children.

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About Affordable Virginia

Affordable Virginia, a project of Family Friendly Virginia, is a grassroots campaign urging Congresswoman Jen Kiggans to stop siding with corporations and the ultra-wealthy and start fighting for policies that will lower costs for working families in Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District.

Kaine For Virginia Has $7.7M On Hand Heading Into Election Year, Raising $1.5M In Q4

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Good news from Sen. Tim Kaine’s reelection campaign.

Kaine For Virginia Has $7.7M On Hand Heading Into Election Year, Raising $1.5M In Q4

Richmond, VA — Kaine for Virginia is announcing raising $1.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 and has $7.7 million cash-on-hand for Senator Kaine’s re-election.

“Virginians are united with Tim Kaine in his passion to deliver results for everyday folks. In the Senate, he’s slashing drug costs, creating jobs through transformative infrastructure investments, fighting fentanyl while expanding mental health treatment, supporting our troops and their families, and battling to protect reproductive freedom,” said Keren Charles Dongo, Campaign Manager for Tim Kaine. “Our campaign is proud to be building a grassroots movement that will send Senator Kaine back to the U.S. Senate so he can continue producing wins for Virginia families.”

In the fourth quarter, the average grassroots contribution was $32 and more than 98 percent of donors made contributions of $100 or less. There were over 8,800 first-time donors to Kaine in this period.

 

Tuesday News: “Biden calibrates his response as a slow-motion crisis arrives”; Trump “doesn’t like women he can’t control”; “Cline, Good, Youngkin, Trump don’t actually want to solve their fake ‘border crisis,” Rhetoric “more like Jefferson Davis than Thomas Jefferson”

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by Lowell

Here are a few international, national and Virginia news headlines, political and otherwise, for Tuesday, January 30.

End Citizens United Says “shadowy dark money political group” No Labels Is “abusing its nonprofit status in Virginia,” Calls on AG Miyares to “investigate and hold them accountable”

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End Citizens United nails it on this horrible organization, “No Labels”:

“In its attempt to run a third-party presidential ticket, No Labels is abusing its nonprofit status in Virginia and we believe Attorney General Jason Miyares should investigate and hold them accountable…No Labels is a shadowy dark money political group that is grossly exploiting Virginia laws which are designed to benefit legitimate social welfare organizations. If No Labels’ corrupt charade continues unchecked, it will set a dangerous precedent for future elections.”

No doubt: “No Labels” is a bizarre, irresponsible, slimy organization of grifting @#$%#s who risk throwing the 2024 election to Donald Trump and ending our democracy.  Seriously, f*** them.

End Citizens United Submits IRS Complaint Against No Labels in Virginia

ECU, which is the first group to legally challenge No Labels’ nonprofit status, sent the IRS complaint to the 27 states where No Labels is registered to solicit charitable contributions

End Citizens United (ECU) submitted a complaint to the Virginia Attorney General against No Labels alleging fraudulent misuse of its nonprofit status as it prepares to launch a third-party presidential ticket. The complaint was originally filed with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

“In its attempt to run a third-party presidential ticket, No Labels is abusing its nonprofit status in Virginia and we believe Attorney General Jason Miyares should investigate and hold them accountable,” said End Citizens United President Tiffany Muller. “No Labels is a shadowy dark money political group that is grossly exploiting Virginia laws which are designed to benefit legitimate social welfare organizations. If No Labels’ corrupt charade continues unchecked, it will set a dangerous precedent for future elections.”

The IRS complaint, first reported by the Associated Press, alleges that No Labels cannot be considered a 501(c)(4) social welfare organization as its work primarily benefits the No Labels Party, and does not meet the minimum 50% threshold of promoting social welfare. Instead, it appears that nearly the entirety of No Labels’ spending is on political activity. ECU is submitting copies of the IRS complaint to the 27 states No Labels is registered to solicit charitable contributions.

The IRS complaint:

  • The IRS requires 501(c)(4) nonprofits to operate “exclusively for the promotion of social welfare”—meaning these organizations must be primarily engaged in the promotion of the common good and general welfare of the people.
  • No Labels is violating its 501(c)(4) status in two ways: (1) it is primarily benefiting private individuals—the No Labels Party; (2) its primary purpose is not promoting social welfare and instead it is primarily engaged in political activity.
  • A 501(c)(4) cannot claim tax exempt status when it operates for a non-incidental private purpose instead of the general welfare. The IRS has repeatedly found that, when a nonprofit organization operates for the benefit of one political party, it engages in non-incidental private benefit inconsistent with its tax-exempt status.
  • All of No Labels’ ballot access work is to benefit private individuals, not the general welfare. The facts indicate that almost all of No Labels’ activities—significantly more than a non-incidental amount—are to increase the civic and electoral participation of members of one political party: the No Labels Party.
  • At least 50% of a nonprofit organization’s activities need to be dedicated to promoting social welfare; while 501(c)(4) nonprofit organizations can participate in some direct or indirect political campaign intervention, it cannot be the primary purpose.
  • In their 2022 financial reporting, No Labels shows $8.9 million of programmatic spending and it appears that the entirety of their spending was related to ballot access work. Ballot access work is clearly categorized as political activity as it is dedicated to defeating political candidates, not the social welfare activities that would qualify their nonprofit status.
  • Their spending on political activity in 2023 has almost certainly exceeded their 2022 spending as No Labels has increased ballot access efforts across the country. If No Labels’ projections for its fundraising come to fruition, that would mean to offset $70 million in political spending, the organization’s total program budget would have to exceed $140 million—a figure that strains plausibility.
  • The group also does not claim credit for any other large project on its Form 990 that could possibly amount to nearly $6 million dollars in program expenses. All other expenses, including salaries, legal, compliance, and advertising costs also appear to be in furtherance of No Labels’ ballot access efforts.
  • This renders their purpose as non-exempt that is inconsistent with a 501(c)(4) status. The IRS has previously revoked nonprofit status for organizations created to benefit political parties and No Labels should not be an exception.

Read the full IRS complaint HERE.

Virginia AFL-CIO Applauds Advancement of Bill to Give Public Service Workers the Freedom to Collectively Bargain

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From the Virginia AFL-CIO:

Virginia AFL-CIO Applauds Advancement of Bill to Give Public Service Workers the Freedom to Collectively Bargain

CNU’s Wason Center poll shows 68 percent of Virginia voters support public sector collective bargaining rights

RICHMOND, Va. – The Virginia AFL-CIO today celebrated the advancement of a bill that would give the freedom to collectively bargain for a contract to public service workers across the Commonwealth.

SB 374, patroned by Senator Jennifer Boysko (D-Fairfax), passed out of the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee by a vote of 9-6 this afternoon.

The legislation builds on a historic law that has led to a surge of public service workers winning collective bargaining rights in localities that include FairfaxRichmondAlexandriaPrince William County and Loudoun County. Senator Boysko’s bill would grant collective bargaining rights to state workers and employees of local governments in every zip code of Virginia.

“Our public service workers educate our children and keep our communities clean, safe and strong,” said Virginia AFL-CIO President Doris Crouse-Mays. “We applaud the members of the Committee who voted with the workers who keep our Commonwealth running. Our communities are better served when the workers who power them have a seat at the table and a voice on the job.”

A poll from Christopher Newport University’s Wason Center showed 68 percent of Virginia voters support public sector collective bargaining rights.

Delegate Kathy Tran is carrying the companion bill in the House of Delegates. HB 1001 last week passed out of House Labor and Commerce Subcommittee #2 and has been referred to the House Committee on Appropriations.

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Virginia AFL-CIO is a labor organization that represents over 330,000 union members and their families within the Commonwealth. VA AFL-CIO is a state federation of the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) working tirelessly to improve the lives of working people.

Video: Ahead of Monday Committee Vote, Legislators and Advocates Urge Passage of Paid Family and Medical Leave Legislation 

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From Freedom Virginia:

Ahead of Monday Committee Vote, Legislators and Advocates Urge Passage of Paid Family and Medical Leave Legislation 

Sen. Boysko, Del. Sewell Join Everyday Virginians to Call for Legislation That Would Allow for up to 12 Weeks of Paid Leave

Video from the event can be viewed HERE.

Senator Jennifer Boysko (D-Fairfax); Delegate Briana Sewell (D-Prince William); Rhena Hicks, Freedom Virginia; Jewel Gatling, Care in Action; Shirley Mae Modlin, business owner and member of Small Business Majority’s Virginia Small Business Council; and Chrischa Ives, a Virginia Beach resident, stand together following the press conference. 

RICHMOND, Va. — In anticipation of a key vote in the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee this afternoon, lawmakers and impacted Virginians this morning  called for the passage of legislation to establish a Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) program in Virginia. This critical policy would ensure covered employees can take up to 12 weeks of paid time away from work to care for themselves or a family member.

Senate Bill 373 is carried by Senator Jennifer Boysko (D-Fairfax) and House Bill 737 is carried by Delegate Briana Sewell (D-Prince William). HB 737 passed the House Labor & Commerce Subcommittee #2 last Thursday by a vote of 5-3SB 373 will be heard  for the first time in the Senate Commerce & Labor Committee later today.

“Hardworking Virginians – especially women – are often forced to take time off from work or even leave the labor force in order to care for our families or welcome a new baby. Governor Youngkin spoke at his budget speech last month about the need to help Virginia’s women return to the workforce,” said Senator Jennifer Boysko (D-Fairfax). “Today, my colleagues have the opportunity to take the first step to do right by women and working families by setting up a 12-week paid family and medical leave program.”

Paid Family and Medical Leave gives families paid time off to care for a new child, themselves, or a family member when they are facing a serious health condition – without sacrificing economic security. SB 373 and HB 737 would ensure Virginians have affordable paid leave financed by small contributions from employers and employees – less than half of one percent each to fund the program. For an employee earning $50,000 per year, the employer and employee would each pay an estimated $4.57 per week. The amount paid to workers while they are away will vary depending on income, but will typically be 80 percent of the worker’s regular pay.

“Paid family and medical leave means that people can finally take time to recover when they are seriously ill without also jeopardizing their economic security,” said Delegate Briana Sewell (D-Prince William). “We should not be forcing employees to work while they’re in chemo or with a two-week-old baby because they can’t afford to miss a paycheck. The legislation has advanced in the House and I am hoping to see it advance in the Senate today so we can take a first step toward the reality of Paid Family and Medical Leave for all Virginians.”

In a survey of employers in a state that recently adopted Paid Family and Medical Leave, nearly 93  percent of respondents found that implementing the program had either positive or neutral effects on their businesses. Small businesses reported benefitting more than big businesses.

“No worker should be dependent on the goodwill of employers to voluntarily offer paid family and medical leave,” said Jewel Gatling, Virginia Organizing Director with Care in Action. “This is the same privileged system that benefits and values people in certain professional occupations over other workers who are the backbone of our economy.”

Across the country, momentum has been growing for providing necessary economic support for hardworking people. Thirteen states and the District of Columbia guarantee access to Paid Family and Medical Leave, including Minnesota and Maine, which passed legislation in 2023. Virginia has the opportunity to continue the momentum with this landmark pro-business, pro-working people legislation.

“A state-run paid family and medical leave program gives small businesses like mine a better opportunity at retaining, recruiting employees and competing with larger companies for quality talent,” said Shirley Mae Modlin, owner of 3D Design and Manufacturing, LLC and member of Small Business Majority’s Virginia Small Business Council. “Implementing paid family and medical leave is a commonsense policy that the Commonwealth should get behind. I hope policymakers will do right for our state’s small business community and pass SB 373 and HB 737.”

If women in Virginia participated in the labor force at the same rate as women in countries with paid leave, there would be an estimated 73,000 additional workers in the state and $2.7 billion more wages earned statewide.

“My story of juggling finding work while caring for my sick daughter is unfortunately not unique. Too many families across the country and the Commonwealth have experienced similar struggles,” said Chrischa Ives, a Virginian impacted by the lack of Paid Family and Medical Leave. “The current system is pushing caregivers, particularly women, out of the workforce. Paid leave for all means care for all.”

Video from the event can be viewed HERE.

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Freedom Virginia is a nonpartisan 501(c)4 organization committed to building a Commonwealth where all Virginia families have the freedom to thrive. Freedom Virginia advances economic security policies through grassroots activism, voter engagement and legislative advocacy. Our efforts began in 2020 and since then we’ve pushed for a more economically secure Virginia by sharing real stories about Virginians’ lack of access to affordable healthcare, education, energy, and the need for policies that foster more safety for families. Visit our website at freedomva.org to learn more. 

VA02 Democratic Candidate Missy Cotter Smasal Added to DCCC’s Coveted ‘Red to Blue’ Program

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From the DCCC:

Missy Cotter Smasal Added to DCCC’s Coveted ‘Red to Blue’ Program

Missy Cotter Smasal will flip Coastal Virginia blue and help take back the House majority

Today, the DCCC announced that Missy Cotter Smasal has been added to the first round of its highly competitive ‘Red to Blue’ program, signaling that the DCCC is invested in providing Missy, a top-tier candidate, with the support needed to continue building a winning campaign as she runs for Virginia’s Second Congressional District.

“Missy Cotter Smasal has the experience, background, and momentum to take on Jen Kiggans and give Coastal Virginians the advocate in Congress that they deserve. Kiggans repeatedly voted to cut resources for veterans and is actively working to restrict abortion access across the Commonwealth. Voters want sensible leadership that will work for them, not a representative beholden to an extreme MAGA agenda. That’s why Missy will flip this district and deliver results for Coastal Virginians,” said DCCC Chair Rep. Suzan DelBene.

Missy Cotter Smasal is a Navy veteran, former small business owner, and mom who understands the needs of Coastal Virginians. Missy’s call to public service, exemplified by her time in the Navy and the bipartisan Chesapeake Bay Commission, is why she will always put country over party to get things done for veterans, active service members, and working class families. Jen Kiggans has been a rubber stamp for the MAGA agenda, voting to restrict abortion and claiming to want the same things as her “teammate” Marjorie Taylor Greene.

President Biden won Virginia’s Second Congressional District in 2020. This district also overlaps with VA House District 97 and House District 84, which were both won by the Democratic candidates in the 2023 state legislative elections and were key to flipping the VA House of Delegates to Democratic control.

Missy has consolidated political support across the district, including key endorsements from local and statewide leaders.

Red to Blue is a highly competitive and battle-tested DCCC program that arms top-tier candidates with organizational and fundraising support to help them continue building winning campaigns. Additionally, through Red to Blue the DCCC provides strategic guidance, staff resources, candidate trainings, and more.