The 2nd Congressional District of Virginia, known for its fierce electoral competition, is set for a rematch this coming November.
Former Democratic Representative Elaine Luria has secured her party’s nomination in the primary held on Tuesday, as projected by CBS News. She will be contending against Republican incumbent Jen Kiggans in the upcoming general election. Luria triumphed over three other candidates to claim the nomination.
Having represented the district for two terms, Luria faced defeat against Kiggans in the 2022 election, a result influenced by redistricting that tilted the demographics in favor of Republicans.
This district, which includes Virginia Beach and the Eastern Shore, has seen a shift in party control four times since 2008. It supported Republican Glenn Youngkin for governor in 2021, then backed Democratic Governor Abigail Spanberger four years later. Additionally, the district voted for former President Joe Biden in the 2020 election but swung back to support President Trump in 2024.
Earlier this year, Democrats attempted to redraw the state’s congressional map to enhance their electoral prospects in all but one district. However, the voter-approved plan was overturned by the state Supreme Court, keeping the original district lines intact.
The University of Virginia’s Center for Politics has categorized this race as a toss-up.
Luria, a 20-year veteran of the Navy, first entered Congress in 2018. She was part of a cohort of Democratic women with expertise in national security who played a crucial role in reclaiming the House majority after eight years of Republican control.
Kiggans, also a veteran of the Navy, served as a helicopter pilot for ten years.
