(The Center Square) — After a decisive victory for former President Donald Trump and Republicans taking control of the Senate, several key House races have yet to be called as of noon on Wednesday, including two Virginia congressional races.
Incumbent Republican Rep. Jen Kiggans and Trump whistleblower Eugene Vindman are currently running ahead of their opponents in tight races.
Kiggans faced off against Democratic challenger Missy Cotter Smasal for Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District, while Vindman squared off against Derrick Anderson for Virginia’s 7th Congressional District. With more than 95% of the votes counted, according to the New York Times, Kiggans leads by just over 4% and Vindman by just over 2%.
Despite the outstanding official results, Kiggans celebrated with a victory post to X around 2 AM, when around 90% of votes had come in.
“It is the honor of a lifetime to be chosen to represent #VA02 in Congress again…! I’m incredibly thankful that Southeast Virginia has once again chosen commonsense conservatism… together we will get our country back on the right track and secure America’s success…! THANK YOU!” Kiggans wrote.
Vindman claimed a victory just before midnight with a brief, “Thank you, Virginia!” accompanying a photo from his watch party in Fredericksburg.
The Navy and Army veterans’ races were the most expensive House races in the commonwealth this election season. As of Oct. 30, Vindman had raised a whopping nearly $15.7 million, on par with Sen. Tim Kaine’s race for reelection; Kiggans raised almost $6 million, according to the nonpartisan Virginia Public Access Project.
Due to the advantage incumbents usually have over their challengers, most thought Kiggans would retain her seat, though it would be close; with Vindman’s massive fundraising edge over Anderson and the current blue occupation of the district with Democratic Rep. Abigail Spanberger, most pundits predicted a Vindman win.
If Kiggans and Vindman win their respective seats, Virginia’s congressional balance of power will remain unchanged.
As of 12:24 PM, the Associated Press had tallied 201 House races for Republicans, 181 for Democrats, with 53 yet to be called. Heading into the election, the Republicans held 220 seats to the Democrats’ 211.
If Republicans keep the House of Representatives, they will have achieved a trifecta this election – control of the presidency and both chambers of Congress.
