Jen Kiggans | |
|---|---|
 Official portrait, 2022 | |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Virginia's 2nd district | |
| Assumed office January 3, 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Elaine Luria |
| Member of the Virginia Senate from the 7th district | |
| In office January 8, 2020 – November 15, 2022 | |
| Preceded by | Frank Wagner |
| Succeeded by | Aaron Rouse |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Jennifer Ann Moore June 18, 1971 Tampa, Florida, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Steve Kiggans |
| Children | 4 |
| Education | Boston University (BA) Old Dominion University (BSN) Vanderbilt University (MSN) |
| Website | House website |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1993–2003 |
Jennifer Ann Kiggans (née Moore;[1] born June 18, 1971) is an American politician and nurse practitioner serving as the U.S. representative for Virginia's 2nd congressional district. A Republican, Kiggans is a former United States Navy helicopter pilot. She defeated incumbent Elaine Luria in the 2022 election.[2]
YouTube Encyclopedic
-
1/2Views:1 3921 728
-
Virginia Senator Jen Kiggans on Her Catholic Faith & Politics | EWTN News Nightly
-
Lawmakers Push for Immigration Reform But Can't Agree on What That Looks Like | EWTN News Nightly
Transcription
Early life and career
Kiggans was born in Tampa, Florida, and graduated from high school in Orlando, Florida.[3] As a high school student, she worked in Walt Disney World.[4] She is an alumna of Boston University.[5] In 1993 and 1994, she taught English in Japan through the JET Programme.[6] She also lived in Japan as a Navy spouse for five years.[4]
Kiggans was a United States Navy pilot for ten years, flying H-46 and H-3 helicopters.[7]
After serving in the military, Kiggans attended nursing school at Old Dominion University and Vanderbilt University School of Nursing. She is an adult geriatric nurse practitioner at Eastern Virginia Medical School and in private practice.[8]
Early political career
In 2019, Kiggans ran for the Virginia Senate for the 7th district, which was being vacated by Republican incumbent Frank Wagner. In the Republican Party primary, Kiggans defeated Virginia Beach School Board member Carolyn Weems, 52% to 48%.[9]
In the general election, Kiggans faced Democratic state Delegate Cheryl Turpin. The race was viewed as competitive, as the district had very narrowly favored Democrats in recent statewide elections.[10][11] Kiggans and Turpin each spent over $500,000 on television advertisements.[12] Kiggans won, 50.4% to 49.5%.[13]
U.S. House of Representatives
Elections
2022
Kiggans was the Republican nominee for Virginia's 2nd congressional district in the 2022 election.[14] She defeated Democratic incumbent Elaine Luria in the November 2022 general election.
Political positions
2020 presidential election
Kiggans has consistently refused to state whether she believes that Joe Biden was legitimately elected president[15][16] and has called for a $70 million forensic audit of Virginia's 2020 presidential election results; a previous audit of those results found no evidence of fraud.[17] She has said that she does not believe the FBI search of Mar-a-Lago was justified.[16]
Abortion
Kiggans supports banning abortions after fifteen weeks of pregnancy, except for in cases of rape, incest, or to protect the life of the mother.[18] In June 2022, she expressed support for the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, which overruled Roe v. Wade.[19]
Gun rights
Kiggans was endorsed by the NRA.[20]
Infrastructure
Kiggans said on social media that she would have voted against the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.[21]
Caucus memberships
Personal life
Kiggans is a lifelong Catholic. She is married to Steve Kiggans, a retired Navy F-18 pilot. They have four children.[4]
References
- ^ "About". Jen Kiggans for Congress.
- ^ "Republican Jen Kiggans flips Virginia's 2nd Congressional District seat". WRIC-TV. November 9, 2022.
- ^ Vozzella, Laura (December 27, 2019). "Virginia Senate gains two political outsiders and friends". The Washington Post. Retrieved January 18, 2020.
- ^ a b c Hall, Matt (November 3, 2019). "Interview: Veteran Jen Kiggans Runs for 7th State Senate District". Bearing Drift. Retrieved January 19, 2020.
- ^ "Alum a New US Congresswoman | BU Today". Boston University. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
- ^ "Jennifer Kiggans' Biography". Vote Smart. Retrieved January 18, 2020.
- ^ Mitchell, Lynn (April 1, 2019). "Veteran Navy Pilot Jen Kiggans Enters Race for 7th Senate District". Bearing Drift. Retrieved January 18, 2020.
- ^ Albiges, Marie (June 3, 2020). "School board member, Navy pilot face off in Virginia Beach Senate GOP primary". The Virginian-Pilot. Retrieved January 18, 2020.
- ^ "2019 Senate of Virginia Republican Primary - District 7". Virginia State Board of Elections. Retrieved January 18, 2020.
- ^ Oliver, Ned (September 4, 2019). "Cheat sheet: The House and Senate races most likely to decide control of Virginia's statehouse". Virginia Mercury. Retrieved January 18, 2020.
- ^ "Open Seat Profile - SD7". Virginia Public Access Project. October 17, 2019. Retrieved January 19, 2020.
- ^ O'Keefe, Jimmy (October 24, 2019). "Va. Senate Candidates Ramp Up Attack Ads Ahead Of Election Day". WHSV-TV. Capital News Service. Retrieved January 18, 2020.
- ^ "2019 November General - Member Senate of Virginia (007)". Virginia State Board of Elections. November 10, 2019. Retrieved January 18, 2020.
- ^ Flynn, Meagan (April 12, 2021). "GOP state senator seeks to challenge Luria for Virginia congressional seat". Washington Post.
- ^ "Elaine Luria prepares to lead Jan. 6 hearing, connect Trump to violence". Washington Post. July 21, 2022. Retrieved September 18, 2022.
- ^ a b "Ad attacks leave Kiggans trying to reclaim image: 'I'm not an extremist'". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved September 18, 2022.
- ^ "Trump's influence casts shadow in the Virginia 2nd District race". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved October 31, 2022.
- ^ "Hampton Roads could help decide control of the House of Representatives". VPM.org. Retrieved October 31, 2022.
- ^ "Luria, Kiggans react to Supreme Court ruling overturning Roe v. Wade". 13newsnow. June 24, 2022. Retrieved August 7, 2022.
- ^ "YOUR VOTE DEFENDS FREEDOM! – VOTE JEN KIGGANS FOR U.S. HOUSE". www.nrapvf.org. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
- ^ "Jen Kiggans for Congres". Facebook. November 7, 2021. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
- ^ "Candidates". RMSP PAC. Retrieved December 26, 2022.
External links
- Congresswoman Jen Kiggans official U.S. House website
- Campaign website
- Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
- Financial information (federal office) at the Federal Election Commission
- Legislation sponsored at the Library of Congress
- Profile at Vote Smart
- Appearances on C-SPAN
- Jen Kiggans at the Virginia Public Access Project
This page was last edited on 18 March 2023, at 06:29