VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — Second District Republican incumbent Jen Kiggans and Democratic challenger Missy Cotter Smasal engaged in a spirited debate Friday hosted by the Hampton Roads Chamber at Virginia Wesleyan University.
About 200 people showed up to hear the two candidates tackle 16 issues, with each saying the other buys into the extremes of their respective parties.
One of the issues dealt with failures with border security on both sides of the political aisle, with Cotter Smasal wasting no time going after the incumbent Kiggans, doing so early and often.
“Jen Kiggans and her MAGA teammates who have a majority in Congress have delivered on Chaos and dysfunction,” Cotter Smasal said.
For most of the appearance, Kiggans let the claims go unchallenged.
“We have again passed legislation to reduce spending that has not been taken up by the Democratic-controlled Senate,” Kiggans said. “She would be a rubber stamp for all of these Democratic policy decisions.”
Cotter Smasal quickly responded.
“She hasn’t delivered for us, but she did take the time to restrict your body autonomy in 13 votes to restrict reproductive rights,” Cotter Smasal said.
This spirited exchange peppered throughout the 1-hour, 40-minute exchange.
“Democrats think that your money belongs to the government, where Republicans in the House think the money belongs to you,” Kiggans said.
Cotter Smasal immediately responded.
“Actually, I think Republicans like Jen Kiggans think your money belongs in the pockets of the wealthiest and large corporations, and that’s one of my biggest concerns,” Cotter Smasal said.
They were asked about the recent strike at the port.
“I stand with workers in their opportunity to collectively bargain in a spirit of cooperation instead of animosity,” Cotter Smasal said.
Kiggans called the strike an election year gimmick and then blamed it on Democrats.
“The economic security issues, even with those workers they decided one day asking for more wages … and I steer you back to the Democratic policies,” Kiggans said.
Should workers be forced to join unions against their will?
“No one advocates for people to be forced to join unions against their will,” Cotter Smasal said. “That is a fallacy. What I support are strong unions that have built our middle class.”
Kiggans responded: “It’s very important that we keep Virginia a right to work state. I know that sentiment is shared by our governor, Glenn Youngkin, and certainly by our House majority.”
This was the most spirited exchange — Kiggans talking about getting government out of voter’s lives.
“We’ve got to unleash American energy independence, and we have to get the federal government off your back and out of your lives. That’s how we’re going to restore economic security,” Kiggans said, which drew a laugh from the crowd.
Pro-choice candidate Cotter Smasal jumped all over that, bringing even more laughter in the audience.
“Getting the government out of your personal lives, that is a fascinating thing for Jen Kiggans to say when she has done nothing to address rising costs, nothing to address your stagnant wages, but she has voted 13 times to attack your bodily freedom,” Cotter Smasal said.
Kiggans, though, said that “it’s also an issue that needs to be legislated and debated at the state level. And I stand by that.”
That led Cotter Smasal to say this.
“Jen Kiggans just told you that she thinks politicians should have control over your body,” Cotter Smasal said. “It doesn’t matter what level. I think she truly believes that she wants to restrict your reproductive rights, and I won’t let her turn Virginia into Alabama.”
That brought more applause, and it was a high energy movement for Smasal, clearly on the offense. It was at this point that Kiggans had enough.
“But I think the problem with politics these days is the lack of honesty and the dishonesty that’s shown that comes out of the mouths of candidates running for office, and I simply will leave it at that,” Kiggans said to applause. “My mother taught me not to lie to people. And so, I take that honesty, and I practice it every day when I have the privilege of serving this district.”
Said Cotter Smasal: “She asks you whether your life is better now than four years ago? You have not done anything to improve people’s lives over the past two years. You have a record.”
At the end, Kiggans and Cotter Smasal shook hands, then Kiggans immediately left the stage and the building.
Cotter Smasal took questions from reporters in the lobby, and didn’t seem surprised Kiggans wasn’t there. This was the only joint meeting between the two.
Afterwards, the Kiggans campaign team was confident, so was Cotter Smasal.