Elaine Luria Reclaims Virginia's 2nd District Congressional Seat in Election Rematch

At the Holiday Inn Virginia Beach-Norfolk, a crowd of about 200 Luria supporters cheered as unofficial results showed the former congresswoman holding a roughly 5-point lead over incumbent Republican Rep. Jen Kiggans with more than 80% of the vote in, and the Associated Press called the race for Luria late Tuesday night. Among those watching the returns were former Gov. Ralph Northam and Democratic U.S. Rep. Bobby Scott, who had just left his own victory party after a decisive win that was called shortly after polls closed.

The result marks a reversal in one of the nation’s toss-up districts, where the balance of power in Congress hung in the balance. Luria, a Democrat, former Navy commander, and small business owner, reclaimed the seat she lost to Kiggans in 2022 after serving two terms beginning in 2019.

Elaine Luria declares victory in rematch for Virginia's second congressional district

A Rematch in a Redrawn Battleground

Virginia’s 2nd District was one of a handful of toss-up races nationwide, and its shape changed significantly after the state redistricted in 2021. The new boundaries added parts of Chesapeake, Franklin, Suffolk, Isle of Wight, and parts of Southampton while removing Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Poquoson, Williamsburg, James City County, and York. The district also includes Accomack, Northampton, and Virginia Beach.

Despite the changes, the district remained competitive. Democrats had wanted to redraw the maps to secure a significant advantage for their party—framing it as a countermeasure to Republican-led states that had redistricted to benefit their party first—but the Supreme Court of Virginia ultimately blocked that effort. Abigail Spanberger won the 2nd in 2025 with 53.7% of the vote, Lt. Gov. Ghazala Hashmi eked out a narrower victory with 51.4%, and Attorney General Jay Jones narrowly lost with 49.4% of the vote.

United states representative abigail spanberger

Two Navy Veterans, Diverging Visions

Both candidates brought military credentials to the race—Luria as a former Navy commander, Kiggans as a former Navy pilot and nurse practitioner—but their campaigns focused on sharply different priorities. Luria centered her message on affordability, criticizing the ongoing war in Iran as illegal and reckless, and pledged to support phasing in Medicare access at younger ages, undo cuts to healthcare made by the Trump administration, and repeal Trump’s tariffs. She also highlighted her record supporting Chesapeake Bay environmental protections and her service on the Jan. 6 Select Committee investigating the 2021 Capitol insurrection.

Luria also targeted new eligibility restrictions for federal benefits like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Medicaid. She framed the election as a rejection of what she called hateful rhetoric and lies, saying it was time for Congress to reclaim its power among the branches of government.

Rep. Jen Kiggans loses to Democrat Elaine Luria in Virginia's 2nd District rematch

For residents of the district, the outcome carries consequences. Luria’s return puts a critic of the Iran war and Trump’s tariff policies back in the House, where she has said she would support affordable health care and ending the war in Iran.

Kiggans, meanwhile, spent much of the campaign focusing on Luria’s ownership of publicly traded stocks while in Congress. At various points, she sought to separate herself from President Donald Trump by co-signing a letter urging the extension of Affordable Care Act tax credits and adding her name to a letter against portions of the federal spending bill H.R.1, which included major reductions to programs such as Medicaid. Nevertheless, she ultimately cast votes supporting both the expiration of the tax credits and the passage of H.R.1.

Congressional candidate jen kiggans holds election night watch party

“I didn’t have an opportunity to speak with Congresswoman Kiggans yet, but when I do, I will thank her for her service to this district and to our country – in uniform and also in Congress,” Luria said Tuesday night. “We disagree on many things, but we share something that matters. We both wore the uniform of the United States Navy and we both have a deep desire to serve our nation, and I respect and I appreciate that.”

Luria said: “The voters showed up and made their voices heard. It’s not about petty grievances or personal attacks, but about the issues that affect their lives daily.”

Concession at The Westin

In a statement, Kiggans conceded and thanked people in the 2nd District.

Elaine Luria declares victory in tight race for Virginia's 2nd Congressional District

“While this isn’t the outcome we’d hoped for, I’m grateful for the trust you’ve placed in me these past four years,” she wrote. “As a Navy veteran, Nurse Practitioner, Wife, and Mom, I never imagined I’d even run for Congress, much less serve as a member for four years! But I got off the couch because I hated the nastiness and division that were politics on my TV, and I wanted more than anything to help bring people together and unite us all as Americans.”

Shortly after 9 p.m. Tuesday, Kiggans addressed supporters at The Westin Virginia Beach Town Center. “There are young men and women who are wondering whether the American dream is still within reach, and there are challenges that demand serious leadership and common sense solutions,” she said, asking for prayers and support. “Stay tuned this race is not over.” Less than an hour later, though, the audience had thinned out, and staff switched off the large-screen television and began closing down the venue.

Independent candidates Matt Baker and Bishop Staten were also running.

Elaine Luria defeats Jen Kiggans, wins back Virginia’s 2nd District seat

At Luria’s victory party, Abigail Spanberger warmed up the crowd by recalling their shared entry into Congress.

“I was first elected to Congress in the 2018 class, side by side with Elaine Luria,” Spanberger said, describing her former colleague in the U.S. House of Representatives as a workhorse. “She is deeply devoted to the people that she serves.”

The win in Virginia’s 2nd District came alongside U.S. Sen. Mark Warner’s blowout victory and a Senate seat flip in neighboring North Carolina. As Luria celebrated with her daughter Violette and husband Robert Blondin, she declared victory in Virginia’s 2nd District.