By james art 
scripps
The hotly contested race for Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District between Republican Jen Keegans and Democratic challenger Missy Cotter Smasal is being closely watched both locally and nationally amid a tight race for control of the U.S. House of Representatives.
Watch: Kiggans, Cotter Smasal trade blows over abortion economic policies in first and only debate
Kiggans, Cotter Smasal go head to head in the first and only News 3 debate
Most analysts see the Republican race in Keegan’s favor, but it’s still close. About two weeks ago, a poll from the Wason Center at Christopher Newport University showed Kiggans with a narrow 1-point lead. In 2022, she won the seat by about 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 area are weakly red.
What’s at stake?
Analysts say whether Republicans or Democrats take control of the House, it will likely be by a slim majority, making each seat a must-win. Republicans currently hold a slim edge in the lower house with 220 seats, while Democrats hold 212.
Watch: Kiggans, Smasal campaign in Hampton Roads on final day of early voting
On the last day of early voting, Kiggans, Smasal campaigned in Hampton Roads
Biography of the candidate
Both candidates are Navy veterans in an area with a strong population of military members and veterans.
Jen Keegans is a geriatric nurse and former Navy helicopter pilot. She was in the Virginia State Senate, resigning after winning her current seat in the House. She is appointed to the Natural Resources Committee, the Veterans Affairs Committee and the Armed Services Committee.
Missy Cotter Smasal is a former small business owner and ex-Navy officer. It’s not her first time running for office: She ran for the Virginia Senate in 2019, losing to Republican Bill DeSteff Jr.
Watch: Congresswoman Jen Keegans faces first re-election test against Democratic challenger Missy Kotter Smasal
Congresswoman Jen Keegans faces first re-election test against Democratic challenger Missy Cotter Smasal
What problems are they working on?
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 their responses to key questions, click here.