Missy Cotter Smasal “Stands for Reproductive Freedom and Democracy” Against Anti-Abortion Extremist Jen Kiggans

New reporting from WHRO shows the clear contrast between MAGA anti-abortion extremist Jen Kiggans and Democratic challenger Missy Cotter Smasal, a "strong proponent of reproductive rights and voting rights."

A Navy veteran who "stands for reproductive freedom and democracy," Cotter Smasal is focused on ensuring "women should have the right to control their body, regardless of where they live or where the military stations them."

Meanwhile, MAGA-allied Kiggans has not only "reaffirmed her belief in 2024 that abortion should not be a federally protected right," but has actively worked to further restrict reproductive rights at the federal level, voting "to repeal a Pentagon policy that reimburses travel costs for military personnel who must go out of state for an abortion or related care."

And as Kiggans' House Republican majority threatens to ban abortion nationwide, Coastal Virginians "trust Cotter Smasal more to handle reproductive rights" and defend their freedoms.

DCCC Spokesperson Lauryn Fanguen:
"Jen Kiggans' work to restrict reproductive rights for women, service members, and veterans across Virginia and nationwide proves how out-of-touch she is with the needs of her own constituents. As Kiggans blindly follows her extreme MAGA majority, Missy Cotter Smasal is ready to protect and defend Virginians' most fundamental freedoms."

WHRO: With similar biographies, Second Congressional District candidates set themselves apart with their policies
Cianna Morales, Ryan Murphy | October 4, 2024

KEY POINTS:

• [Missy] Cotter Smasal sharply distinguishes herself from her opponent, saying Kiggans aligns with the more extreme values of her party. She presents herself as a strong proponent of reproductive rights and voting rights.

• On abortion, [Jen] Kiggans released a statement in 2022 supporting the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. She reaffirmed her belief in 2024 that abortion should not be a federally protected right.

• Cotter Smasal, 46, served as a surface warfare officer in the Navy before becoming a small business owner. She is the executive director of a nonprofit that honors military women, an adjunct professor at Old Dominion University and a citizen representative on the Chesapeake Bay Commission.

• "I am running to protect reproductive rights, I am running to protect voting rights, and ultimately, I'm running to protect our democracy," Cotter Smasal said in an interview with WHRO.

• Cotter Smasal highlights access to abortion as a key issue, and says women should have the right to control their body, regardless of where they live or where the military stations them.

• She highlights Kiggans' 2023 vote to repeal a Pentagon policy that reimburses travel costs for military personnel who must go out of state for an abortion or related care.

• "We have this wonderful tradition of military service in this district with over 60,000 veterans. We have specifically a naval tradition of service here, and people are patriotic and we care about protecting our democracy," Cotter Smasal said.

• "That's what's motivating voters, and that's why I feel confident we're going to win."

• She said she is focused on protecting veterans' benefits and public education funding.

• She also highlighted the economy: "We need to make sure that we have serious people working in D.C. who are passing budgets on time, who are not threatening to shut down the government because our local economy is so dependent on federal spending."