Smasal announces bid to take on Kiggans in the 2024 Congressional election

Missy Cotter Smasal, a Navy veteran, mom, and former small business owner, is announcing her candidacy to represent Virginia’s Second Congressional District.

“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.”

According to her press release, 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.

According to our partners with WVEC, she previously ran for the Virginia Senate in 2019 against Republican Bill DeSteph in the 8th District, losing 48% to 52%.

A spokeswoman for the National Republican Congressional Committee responded to Smasal’s announcement saying that “Missy Cotter Smasal is an extreme Democrat with a losing record who is the wrong fit for this district. Meanwhile, Congresswoman Jen Kiggans is delivering support for service members’ mental health and fighting to preserve Medicare and Social Security.”

Pictures courtesy of Smasal’s Instagram account.