As Virginians across the state head to the polls today to take part in primary nominating contests, Republicans are keeping their eye on two key districts: VA-02 and VA-07.
In VA-02, four Republicans are going head to head for a chance to take on Democrat Elaine Luria in November.
The district spans across the Hampton Roads area, with nearly 60% of the population living within the Virginia Beach city limits.
State Senator Jen Kiggans presently looks to be the most likely nominee for the seat.
She has raised the most money (over $1.3 million) and has garnered the support of local, state, and national leaders who all back her as their best chance to flip this seat back into the Republican column this November.
I am humbled and honored to have the support of these great leaders from across our Commonwealth and across America! I am forever grateful for these endorsements of my campaign, and I look forward to leading the team to flip the House and get America back on track! #Honored #VA02 pic.twitter.com/BkPazAIc7R
— Jen Kiggans (@JenKiggans) June 16, 2022
Further north, the race for Virginia’s 7th District looks to be anyone’s game.
In the field of six primary candidates, four have raised between $500,000 and $750,000 dollars (as of June 1st, 2022 – per the Virginia Public Access Project)
Derrick Anderson, Bryce Reeves, and Yesli Vega are all locked in a tight battle for the seat.
Here are a few key supporters and endorsements of conservative groups that these candidates have picked up in recent weeks:
Anderson: Senator Tom Cotton, Congressman Dan Crenshaw, Congressman Brian Mast, Congressman Ronny Jackson, Congressman Mike Waltz, Congressman Mike Garcia, VA-10 nominee Hung Cao
Vega: Senator Ted Cruz, Congressman Jim Jordan, Congressman Bob Good, Congressman Louie Gohmert, Former Virginia Attorney General and USCIS Director Ken Cucinelli, National Border Patrol Council, Eagle Forum, Citizens United President David Bossie, Former VA-07 Congressman Dave Brat, National Immigration and Customs Enforcement Council, Former Gun Owners of America Chairman Larry Pratt
Reeves: Senator Mike Lee, Delegate Nick Freitas, Former Trump Energy Secretary and Texas Governor Rick Perry, Former Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell, National Rifle Association, Virginia Shooting Sports Association
After the primary, Republicans will need to quickly coalesce around a nominee (much like we have in the 10th District) and put up a united front against current representative Abigail Spanberger.
The Cook Political Report presently rates both VA-02 and VA-07 as “Toss – Up” races.
Today is also the only nominating day for Democratic candidates. The only Democrat incumbent who has a challenger is Don Beyer in VA-08. He is being challenged by Victoria Virasingh. Beyer is expected to best his challenger and set himself up for a November race with Republican nominee Karina Lispman.