VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — Republican Rep. Jen Kiggans has defeated Democratic challenger Missy Cotter Smasal in the race for Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District in the House of Representatives, according to a Decision Desk HQ projection.

Kiggans led with 52.95% of the vote to Cotter Smasal’s 44.54%. Independent Robert Reid Jr. had 2.51% of the vote.

Kiggans posted to X Wednesday morning thanking Virginia voters in Southeast Virginia.

Cotter Smasal, before she left her watch party, thanked her supporters and said she was waiting to see every vote tabulated.

“I know it’s been a long night, I know it’s going to continue to be a long night,” Cotter Smasal said. “We are committed to making sure that every lawful vote is counted. … We are still just watching the vote totals come in. We don’t have any great information. Probably, we’re getting the same information from the places that you are, and we’re just committed to lawful votes being counted tonight.”

She added that “we have not yet” been in contact with the Kiggans campaign.

10 On Your Side’s Chris Horne said the feeling at the Kiggans election watch party was that she will be reelected to a second term.

James Callan, a Kiggans supporter who attended her election watch party, said he voted for her for “common sense, secure borders, support for the veterans — what more can you ask for?”