Who will face Elaine Luria in November? A look at the GOP candidates in Virginia’s 2nd district

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — In just a few weeks, Republicans in Virginia’s second congressional district will choose somebody to face off in opposition to Democrat Elaine Luria, who’s trying to hold her seat in Congress for a 3rd time period.

There are 4 GOP candidates on the poll within the June 21 main election: Tommy Altman, Andy Baan, Jarome Bell and Jen Kiggans. Whoever wins the first ought to anticipate a detailed election in November.

The Cook dinner Political Report predicts that the race in Virginia’s second congressional district will likely be one of the vital aggressive within the 2022 midterm elections, which traditionally sees the president’s occasion lose seats in Congress.

Whereas Luria gained her 2018 election by two factors and her 2020 election by practically six factors, her district grew to become much less favorable to Democrats after the strains have been redrawn following the 2020 Census. The district encompasses Virginia Seashore, Chesapeake, Suffolk, Franklin, Isle of Wight County and the Jap Shore.

In Virginia’s 2021 governor’s election, Republican Glenn Youngkin gained 55% of the vote inside the redrawn district, in comparison with Democrat Terry McAullife’s 44%, in response to the Virginia Public Entry Venture (VPAP).

Earlier than the first election, this is what you’ll want to know in regards to the Republicans working:

Altman is a disabled veteran of the USA Air Power Particular Operations neighborhood who served in Afghanistan and Iraq. He and his spouse personal a tattoo store in Virginia Seashore.

Baan is an Iraq Conflict veteran with a Bronze Star Medal, retired Navy Captain, former prosecutor, protection contractor program supervisor and cybersecurity advisor. He was chosen as a Navy commanding officer six instances. He bought his bachelor’s diploma from Notre Dame, a regulation diploma from Dickinson/Penn State, a grasp’s in Nationwide Safety and Strategic Research from the Naval Conflict Faculty and a grasp’s in Cybersecurity from Norfolk State College.

VOTER GUIDE | Virginia voters head to the polls June 21

Bell studied at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical College the place he graduated with affiliate’s and bachelor’s levels in skilled aeronautics with a minor in administration. He retired as a chief petty officer from the U.S. Navy after serving 27 years. He opened a small enterprise that helps highschool graduates get hold of school athletic scholarships.

Kiggans is a member of the Virginia Senate (seventh district) the place she serves on a number of committees: native authorities, subcommittee on charters, common legal guidelines and expertise, subcommittee on gaming, and rehabilitation and social providers. She is a former Navy pilot and at the moment works as a nurse practitioner.

All the candidates are working on priorities which have made headlines just lately, together with opposition to vital race concept (CRT) and abortion rights, in addition to assist for gun rights. They’re additionally pushing again on what they consider is authorities overreach.

“We noticed this throughout the COVID era- all of the restrictions and financial devastation have been the results of a authorities used to flexing energy as an alternative of respecting the lives, rights and liberties of its residents,” Altman wrote on his web site.

That is one thing Baan is aligned with, saying masks and vaccine mandates are “about management.” He additionally helps reducing taxes, authorities spending and rules on enterprise to make the USA extra economically aggressive.

“We’ve made it so laborious for small enterprise to succeed that so many would-be profitable risktakers have turn into too scared to take that danger,” Baan wrote on his marketing campaign web site.

Among the points Kiggans is working on are well being care reform, decrease taxes and regulatory burdens and opposition to transgender insurance policies in faculties.

“The liberal, one-party rule in Washington is destroying what makes America the best nation on earth,” she wrote on her web site. “Our values, our financial system, and our households are all underneath assault by huge authorities. I’ve the braveness to struggle again — and I’ll be sure that Virginians get the outcomes they deserve.”

Bell is touting his assist of former President Donald Trump. On his marketing campaign web site, Bell stated he would carry the torch to “Make America Nice Once more in the USA Home of Representatives.” 

Bell additionally known as for an audit of the 2020 presidential election, echoing widely-debunked claims of “voting by unlawful aliens, poll harvesting, absentee poll fraud and outright determine theft.” Final September, he used his now-suspended Twitter account to precise assist for executing any officials he claimed were involved in the debunked fraud.

In response to VPAP, Kiggans has raised essentially the most cash amongst Republican candidates with $1,099,741 as of March 31. Following her are Bell ($424,098), Altman ($188,654) and Baan ($23,289).

To see the place the candidates are getting their cash, 13News Now took a take a look at OpenSecrets information, which reveals marketing campaign contributions affiliated with completely different organizations.

For context, the organizations listed did not donate immediately. The cash might have come from the organizations’ PACs, their particular person members or staff or homeowners and people people’ speedy households.

A few of Kiggans’ high donors have been affiliated with Virginia Seashore enterprise Jes Basis ($17,500), actual property firm Robinson Growth Group ($16,800), property administration firm Ripley Heatwole Firm ($15,600) and regulation agency McGuireWoods LLP ($12,510).

Bell’s high donors contributed a lot smaller quantities. The donors’ affiliations embody right-wing group Black America’s PAC ($2,800), in addition to companies Pencor Companies ($2,150), BMC Software program ($2,000) and Service One ($2,000).

A few of Altman’s donations have been affiliated with monetary advising group Cohen, Klingenstein & Marks ($5,800), hospitality firm BQ Resorts ($5,800), cupboard maker Closet Manufacturing facility ($5,000), Tennessee-based NGU Threat Administration ($5,000) and Virginia Seashore-based payroll firm Payday ($5,000).

OpenSecrets lists solely 4 high donors to Baan’s marketing campaign: Colorado-based Merely Good Meals Firm ($2,900), actual property investor Aimco ($2,800), Basic Books of Virginia ($1,000) and conservative group Management Institute ($1,000).

WUSA9, 13News Now’s sister station in Washington, contributed to this report.