VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — In the race for Virginia's second district in the House of Representatives, incumbent Republican Jen Kiggans is facing off against Democratic challenger Missy Cotter Smasal.
On Thursday night, Cotter Smasal brought in two big names for her campaign event in Virginia Beach at Virginia Wesleyan University. She was joined onstage by Rep. Bobby Scott for Virginia's third district and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, as well as other Virginia elected officials, to drum up support.
"Do you know that your vote can protect reproductive rights? That your vote can protect voting rights and that your vote is essential to protecting our beloved democracy?" Cotter Smasal rallied the crowd.
"We need to make sure that we do everything we can to make sure that Missy is elected to the United States Congress," said Scott.
"When you think about Missy and her background, she is exactly the type of person that should be serving in the United States Congress," said Jeffries.
The race for VA-02 has recently grown much tighter in a region that went red in the midterms.
"We have the momentum right now. We know that voters across coastal Virginia want to have their basic freedoms protected. They want to protect their democracy and they're fired up for change," said Cotter Smasal. "They know it's going to take a new majority, and I'm committed to delivering for coastal Virginia."
Virginia Beach contains the biggest percentage of voters than all other localities within the second district combined.
"It's time for real leadership. It's time for a backbone. It's time to win back Virginia's second district in a new majority," said Cotter Smasal.
"This district will help determine the future of our great country, the future of the House, the future of who sits in the White House, the future of our children and our grandchildren," said Jeffries.
If Cotter Smasal is elected, it could help Democrats flip the House of Representatives and become the majority, which would mean Jeffries would become speaker of the House. Jeffries would be the first ever Black Speaker of the House of Representatives.
"We're going to run through the finish line and put it in the hands of the American people, and we'll see what happens on Nov. 5," said Jeffries.
"I'm so thankful for Leader Jeffries' leadership, for his commitment to putting people over politics," said Cotter Smasal. "I know that he is the person to lead us forward, to end the chaos and disfunction that we have seen from MAGA extremists in the House."
Incumbent Rep. Jen Kiggans, Cotter Smasal's opponent, will host a Red Wave Rally on Friday night in Chesapeake, with Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan as her special guest. More information on the rally can be found on her campaign website, and RSVPs are required to attend.