Kiggans, Cotter Smasal The Virginia House race will be close, analysts say

The hotly contested race for Virginia's 2nd Congressional District between Republican incumbent Jen Kiggans and Democratic challenger Missy Cotter Smasal is being closely watched both locally and nationally as it is a tough race for control of the U.S. House of Representatives .

Watch: Kiggans and Cotter Smasal exchange remarks on economic and abortion policy during the first and only debate

Kiggans and Cotter Smasal meet in the first and only debate on News 3

Most analysts expect Republicans to lean in favor of Kiggans, but it's still close. About two weeks ago, a poll from Christopher Newport University's Wason Center showed Kiggans with a slim 1-point lead. In 2022, she won the seat with around 3.5 percent.

The district includes Virginia Beach, the Eastern Shore, Suffolk, Isle of Wight County, Franklin and parts of Chesapeake and Southampton Counties. News 3's Brendan Ponton says Virginia Beach is very evenly divided politically, but other parts of the county are more red.

What is at stake?

Analysts say whether Republicans or Democrats win control of the House of Representatives will likely come with a razor-thin majority, making every seat a must-win. The Republicans currently have a narrow lead in the lower house with 220 seats, while the Democrats have 212 seats.

Watch: Kiggans and Smasal campaign in Hampton Roads on the final day of early voting

On the last day of early voting, Kiggans and Smasal campaigned in Hampton Roads

Biographies of the candidates

Both candidates are Marine veterans in a district with a large military and veteran population.

Jen Kiggans is a geriatric nurse and former Navy helicopter pilot. She served in the Virginia State Senate and resigned after winning her current House seat. She is assigned to the Natural Resources Committee, the House Veterans Affairs Committee, and the House Armed Services Committee.

Missy Cotter Smasal is a former small business owner and former naval surface warfare officer. It's not her first candidacy: She ran for the Virginia Senate in 2019 and lost to Republican Bill DeSteph Jr.

Watch: Rep. Jen Kiggans faces her first re-election test against Democratic challenger Missy Cotter Smasal

Rep. Jen Kiggans faces her first re-election test against Democratic challenger Missy Cotter Smasal

What problems do they have?

News 3 aired the first and only debate between Kiggans and Cotter Smasal, which had some tense moments as the two defended their positions on the economy, abortion, immigration, health care and more.

For an overview of the debate, including answers to key questions, click here.