Overview
- Speaker Mike Johnson traveled to Virginia Beach Monday for a private fundraiser and public remarks to formally back Republican Rep. Jen Kiggans in the rematch with Democrat Elaine Luria.
- Johnson called the district a top GOP priority and warned the race could be close, framing the visit as a push to keep the seat that national leaders view as crucial to House control.
- Elaine Luria responded by saying the visit was aimed at wealthy donors and emphasized economic strains and overseas deployments, citing rising gas and grocery costs and military families as central voter concerns.
- Political analysts expect millions of dollars in outside spending in the contest and say Johnson's appearance is designed mainly to rally the Republican base and fundraisers rather than to woo independents.
- The 2nd District—which includes Virginia Beach, the Eastern Shore, Suffolk, Isle of Wight County and parts of Chesapeake—remains rated a toss-up, with early voting set to begin Sept. 18 and Election Day on Nov. 3.