Democrat Elaine Luria defeated Republican Rep. Jen Kiggans in Virginia's 2nd Congressional District election Tuesday, Nov. 3, reclaiming the Hampton Roads congressional seat she lost four years earlier.

The Associated Press confirmed Luria's victory on Nov. 4.

The district includes parts of Chesapeake, along with Virginia Beach, Suffolk, Franklin, the Eastern Shore and portions of Southampton County.

Luria, a former Navy commander, represented the district from 2019 to 2023 before Kiggans defeated her in the 2022 election.

Both candidates are Navy veterans, and the rematch drew national attention as Democrats sought to gain seats in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Luria returns to Congress

Luria declared victory Tuesday night in Virginia Beach, telling supporters that voters wanted changes in Washington, according to WHRO.

She identified the cost of living, health care and the war in Iran among the issues that shaped the campaign.

Kiggans, a Navy veteran and nurse practitioner, had represented the district since January 2023.

She conceded early Wednesday, according to WHRO, thanking her campaign team and reflecting on her work for military families, veterans, patients and businesses.

Independent candidates Matt Baker and Bishop Staten also appeared on the ballot.

The election results remain unofficial until canvassing and certification are complete.

Campaigns spent $13 million on advertising

The race was Virginia's most expensive congressional advertising contest of the election cycle, according to a Nov. 1 analysis by the Virginia Center for Investigative Journalism at WHRO.

The two campaigns spent approximately $13 million combined on television, radio and digital advertising.

Luria's campaign spent approximately $7.7 million, compared with Kiggans' $5.2 million, based on figures collected by the nonpartisan Virginia Public Access Project.

Those figures represented campaign spending and did not include all advertising by independent political organizations.

A separate campaign finance analysis found that Luria raised approximately $7.36 million through Sept. 30, while Kiggans raised approximately $7.24 million.

Kiggans held a slight advantage in cash on hand at the end of that reporting period.

Military issues shaped the race

The 2nd Congressional District includes Naval Station Norfolk-area communities and other parts of Hampton Roads with substantial military and veteran populations.

Both candidates emphasized their military backgrounds and presented different approaches to veterans' services, health care and national security.

Kiggans highlighted her experience as a Navy helicopter pilot, nurse practitioner and member of Congress.

Luria drew on her 20-year Navy career and previous service in the House.

A Washington Post examination of the district's veteran electorate described disagreements among veterans over federal benefits, the economy and U.S. military policy.

The district has one of the country's highest concentrations of military veterans.

A closely watched rematch

Before Election Day, political analysts disagreed about how competitive the race would be.

The University of Virginia's Sabato's Crystal Ball rated the district as leaning Democratic, while the Cook Political Report classified it as a toss-up.

The campaigns also attracted prominent national political figures.

House Speaker Mike Johnson and former Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin joined Kiggans at a Nov. 2 rally in Virginia Beach.

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Virginia House Speaker Don Scott campaigned with Luria during the final weekend.

Both parties viewed the district as important to the balance of power in the U.S. House.

What comes next for Chesapeake

Luria will return to Congress in January 2027, representing the district's Chesapeake communities and other parts of Hampton Roads.

The election changes the party holding the district's congressional seat from Republican to Democratic.

Federal decisions involving military spending, veterans' services, health care and regional infrastructure will remain important issues for the district.

The Nov. 3 election results are subject to official certification.