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October 21st , 2023 Political Note #595 Missy Cotter Smasal Virginia 02
2024 General Election’
Democratic leaders in Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District were delighted when Missy Cotter Smasal announced that she would run for the Congressional Seat. They were convinced that she would have a decent chance to flip Virginia 02 back to the Democrats. Incumbent Democrat Elaine Luria had lost in 2022 after two terms. Republicans had carried the district in 2021 for Governor, Lt. Governor, and Attorney General. However, in 2020, President Biden and Senator Warner had carried the district 2020 as had, of course, Elaine Luria.
The incumbent Jen Kiggans did not have a great first term. None of the Republicans in swing districts, especially none of the 18 Republicans in districts Joe Biden carried, had a good year in office. Kiggans was unwilling to acknowledge that Joe Biden was legitimately the President of the United States. She insisted that the FBI search of Mar-a-Largo was unjustified. She supported the Supreme Court Dobbs ruling and advocated a prohibition of abortions, either on the federal or state level, except when there is rape, incest, or a need because of the health of the mother. In an interview she was asked “How do you plan on bucking the recent history of your district’s swings?” Her answer was that her consistency would bring her victory.
Democratic leaders in Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District see themselves as having a winner. They like that Missy Cotter Smasal had been in the Navy. They like that she has been Executive Director of the right kind of charity for a military town. The Valor Run, of which Missy Cotter Smasal is the head, honors the 177 women in the military who died supporting combat operations after 9/11. Participants run, over a period of time, 177 miles. Proceeds go the children of women who served in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other post 9/11combat areas. It does not hurt that Missy Cotter Smasal loves running.
Even though Missy Cotter Smasal lost her race for the state senate, Democrats in Virginia’s 2nd District particularly like her willingness to take on an incumbent in a Republican district. They overlook her loss and appreciate the money she raised — twice what the incumbent raised.
Missy Cotter Smasal had made the right connections to raise a lot of money. She persuaded the organizations that give Democrats money to give her a lot. Between them, the Virginia Senate Democratic Caucus and the Virginia Democratic Party gave her a million dollars for her State Senate run. She got substantial donations from Planned Parenthood Virginia and from Everytown for Gun Safety. She is on the right side of Democratic issues and was running against a Republican who Democrats saw as extreme. They also liked that Missy Cotter Smasal had skin in the game, donating $120,000 of her own money to the campaign.
Democrats in Virginia’s 2nd District like her so much that no other candidates have surfaced. It would not be a shock if there were another candidate. After all, Virginia’s 2nd District really is evenly divided between Republicans and Democrats. But so far, Missy Cotter Smasal is the only Democratic candidate.
Missy Cotter Smasal has a good story to tell. She went to Villanova on a Navy ROTC scholarship. She served on the USS Trenton as a surface warfare officer, a tough job that has a high turnover rate. She was deployed to the Gulf for Operation Enduring Freedom. She says she loved the job, loved the ship. She made Virginia Beach her home for post-Navy civilian life. She chose a place where everyone is part of the Navy.
Living in Virginia Beach, she got a Master’s Degree from Old Dominion and she worked at the University as an adjunct teaching Human Movement Sciences. In Virginia Beach she had a little business – Rita’s Italian Ice. She kept that business going for 10 years before she turned to The Valor Run.
Even though Missy Cotter Smasal could tell a good story about her life, she does it rarely. Her website does not say much. She is not on Linked In. I found her responding to an interview by The Flagship, a Navy publication. In that interview she acknowledged she was born in Pennsylvania, not Virginia Beach.
Missy Cotter Smasal seems to have raised money by quietly making clear her political views to people with resources, not because she had a lot of resources herself. Her husband may have helped, though he could have been an outcast in Virginia Beach. After all, he had been an Army Officer. He is also a businessman and, like his wife, a runner. Since 2000, he has been an Executive Sales Representative for Eli Lilly. He has been successful enough so that now he is on the Board of Directors of at least one other corporation.
Missy Cotter Smasal does not promise a lot in her campaign. She identifies four issues:
- Supporting Veterans and Military Families. She denounces politicians who do not fulfill their promises to veterans,
- Safer communities. She reminds people that her first semi-political act was to create a movement to ensure that all Virginia Beach schools had locked doors to protect children from shooters. She adds that she currently serves on the Commission that protects Chesapeake Bay.
- Protecting the right to choose. She reminds people how important it is to control your own body.
- Revitalizing the local economy. She insists that Washington’s reliability and stability are crucial for local communities. In particular, she denounces playing politics with military promotions. Senator Tuberville: Listen up.
Missy Cotter Smasal may be good at raising funds, but she needs your contribution. Help her build resources for the campaign and create the momentum that makes her success appear inevitable. Every dollar she gets creates a sense that she can win. She has catching up to do. Kiggans began July 1 with $1.1 million to spend.
Vulnerable Members of Congress in the Southeast
There are not a lot. Jen Kiggans in #16 on Len’s List of Vulnerable Republicans. She is #17 on Daily Kos’s List.
Others in the House
Anna Paulina Luna of FL 13 is sometimes categorized with George Santos. She is #26 on Len’s List. Businessman John Liccione appears to be the Democratic candidate opposing her.
Maria Elvira Salazar of FL 27 is #24 on Daily Kos’s List of Vulnerable Republicans. No Democratic challenger has yet surfaced.
Andy Ogles of TN 05 could be vulnerable. He is #27 on Len’s List. No Democratic challenger has yet surfaced.
In the Senate
Missouri is not really in the southeast. It behaves as if it is. Pundits don’t think that the Incumbent Faux Macho Josh Hawley is vulnerable. I do. Lucas Kunce is worth investing in. See Len’s Political Note #538.
Florida is in the southeast, but culturally it is also a little bit northeast and a little bit Midwest. Pundits think the incumbent Rick Scott has made himself a little vulnerable by proposing that social security and Medicare get reconsidered every five years. Rescinding that proposal has not wiped away the sin. Former Congresswoman Debbie Mucarsel-Powell is the Democrat who will oppose Scott. Help her out, too.
Not Much Time left for 2023
2023 Elections are coming. Help Democratic candidates now.
Kentucky election day November 7, 2023
Mississippi election day November 7, 2023
Louisiana run off, top two November 18, 2023
Pennsylvania election day November 7, 2023
Virginia election day November 7, 2023
November 7 is a few days away and November 18 comes soon after that. If you are going to do something about these elections, donate now.
Democrats for Governor:
Incumbent Andy Beshear Kentucky, Formerly, the Attorney General. Len’s Political Note #533
Brandon Presley Mississippi, Formerly one of three elected public service commissioners. Len’s Political Note #535
For State Supreme Court Justice:
Dan McCaffrey Pennsylvania, Currently an Appellate Judge. Len’s Political Note #571
For Attorney General
Colonel Pamela Stevenson Kentucky, former Senior Official in the Air Force Judge Advocate system and state rep Len’s Political Note #561
Greta Kemp Martin Mississippi, Litigation Director for Disability Rights Mississippi running against a Republican who truly deserves to be defeated. Len’s Political Note #563
For Treasurer
Dustin Granger Louisiana, Financial Advisor. Len’s Political Note #562.
Dustin Granger was the only Democrat, in any state-wide race in Louisiana, to get more than 30% of the vote in the multi-party primary. With 32% of the vote, he trailed former State Rep John Fleming’s 44%. Dustin Granger is still in the race. I am still donating to him. So should you.
For Secretary of State
Buddy Wheatley Kentucky, Former Fire Chief and former state rep. Len’s Political Note #582
For a Democratic legislature in Virginia than can stand up to a Republican governor make some last minute donations.
Virginia House of Delegates: Kimberly Pope Adams, Jessica Anderson, Joshua Cole, Michael Feggans, Susanna Gibson, Joshua Thomas. See Len’s Political Note #573 of July 6, 2023
Virginia State Senate: Clint Jenkins, Monty Mason, Russet Perry, Danica Roem, Schuyler VanValkenburg. Len’s Political Note #573 of July 10, 2023
