NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — Republican Virginia District 2 Congresswoman Jen Kiggans leads her Democratic opponent, Missy Cotter Smasal, by five points in the Christopher Newport University Wason Center for Civic Leadership poll.
Researchers interviewed 792 registered voters in the district from September 6-10. The poll shows Kiggans leading 45% to 40%, with a margin of error at +/-4.7%.
While Kiggans sits in a comfortable spot, there is room for the race to become competitive. Thirteen percent of the respondents are undecided.
"This is a movable race, in particular, because people don't know a lot about Cotter Smasal. If they learn more between now and November, which I expect they will, then this race may shift to a more competitive race than it currently is," said center director Rebecca Bromley-Trujillo.
Kiggans is getting a big boost from independent voters with a 20-point lead over Cotter Smasal at 46% to 26%. She scores high with men and white voters. Cotter Smasal, on the other hand, does well among women, besting Kiggans by 12 percentage points. She also snags higher percentages with Black voters and college-educated voters.
On the issues, voters say their top concern is inflation and the economy. Immigration, threats to democracy, and abortion round out the top four most important issues.
This will only be the second time the race takes shape in a newly drawn District 2 that leans Republican. The district no longer includes Norfolk and parts of Newport News, when it was represented by Democrat Elaine Luria, who lost to Kiggans in 2022. Nearly 60% of Virginia Beach falls in the district, along with parts of the Eastern Shore, Isle of Wight County, and Chesapeake.
Democrats are not giving up on the race. Earlier this week House Majority PAC announced it will place $582,000 in television reservations in Norfolk. In a statement, House Majority PAC President Mike Smith said, “Democrats across the country continue to see enthusiasm and energy behind their campaigns."
But Kiggans may have more trust in the issues on her side. In the heavily military area, she scores higher marks on who's best on military issues, 48% to Cotter Smasal's 32%. Cotter Smasal is more trusted on reproductive rights.
The poll also shows Vice President Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are tied at 46% in District 2. Democratic Senator Tim Kaine leads challenger Hung Cao 43% to 32%.