U.S. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-NY (left) and Republican National Committee co-chair Lara Trump will stump for several Virginia congressional candidates in the final weeks before Election Day. (Jeffires photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images; Trump photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
Partisan control of the U.S. Congress could soon come down to some seats in Virginia. It’s why prominent political officials are visiting the state this week to support federal candidates in their parties.
U.S. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-NY, will visit Virginia Beach Thursday evening to support Democratic candidate Missy Cotter Smasal in her challenge against U.S. Rep. Jen Kiggans, R-Virginia Beach in Virginia’s 2nd District, before giving a boost to retired Lt. Col. Eugene Vindman as he faces Republican Derrick Anderson, a former Green Beret, in Northern Virginia’s 7th District. Jeffries could become the next Speaker of the House if Democrats regain majority in that chamber.
Jefferies endorsed Smasal earlier this year, bringing national attention to the district that often oscillates between partisan control.
Vindman and Anderson both emerged victorious from primary elections in their parties this summer. Their race has been considered a toss-up by multiple political forecasters.
Despite trailing in polling last month, a new Wason Center poll from Christopher Newport University shows Kiggans having a one-point lead over Smasal closer to Election Day, Nov. 5. Over 103,000 people have voted early in that district so far, according to the Virginia Public Access Project.
Vindman will have Jeffries’ support when he visits Virginia again this Sunday ahead of a canvass launch with Democratic U.S. Sen. Mark Warner and U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger, D-Prince WIlliam. Spanberger currently represents the district and is vacating the seat to run for Virginia governor next year.
Though his 1st Congressional District race is not considered a toss-up by pundits and analysts, U.S. Rep. Rob Wittman, R-Westmoreland, will get a boost from Republican National Committee co-chair Lara Trump in Chesterfield County Saturday morning at Keystone Acres.
Wittman, who has typically won re-election by or over 20% margins since 2007, has seen occasional narrowing in recent years, winning his 2018 contest against Democrat Lavangelene Aereka Williams by 10.5% . This year’s democratic challenger, Leslie Mehta, hopes to flip the seat.
Analysts believe she could at least reduce Wittman’s victory margins and signal how the Republican-leaning district is gaining Democratic grounds.
Trump, who is the daughter-in-law of the Republican presidential candidate, former President Donald Trump, will also support U.S. Senate candidate Hung Cao. The Republican Navy veteran is challenging Democratic incumbent U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine, who has shown a comfortable lead in polling.
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