U.S. House, Virginia 2nd Congressional District · November 3, 2026

Who should I vote for in Virginia's 2nd Congressional District?

Jen Kiggans has the strongest record in Virginia's 2nd Congressional District. Jen Kiggans scores 71 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, ahead of Elaine Luria at 65, as of October 5, 2026. Jen Kiggans's highest marks are relevant experience and command of the job. Elaine Luria's highest marks are relevant experience and results. Matt Baker (6 of 15 criteria) and Geral "Bishop" Staten (4 of 15 criteria) have too little public record to score. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.

Independent

Matt Baker

On the ballot as J. Matt Baker

Not enough public record for a score

Public evidence on 6 of 15 criteria

Character
50
Qualifications
60
Performance
NR

Campaign siteFEC filings

Republican · incumbent

Strongest record

Jen Kiggans

On the ballot as Jen A. Kiggans

71 / 100

Public evidence on 14 of 15 criteria

Character
50
Qualifications
80
Performance
88

Campaign siteOfficial officeFEC filings

Democratic

Elaine Luria

On the ballot as Elaine G. Luria

65 / 100

Public evidence on 13 of 15 criteria

Character
45
Qualifications
65
Performance
100

Campaign siteFEC filings

Independent

Geral "Bishop" Staten

On the ballot as Geral D. "Bishop" Staten

Not enough public record for a score

Public evidence on 4 of 15 criteria

Character
NR
Qualifications
50
Performance
NR

FEC filings

The good, the bad and the unresolved

The record

The notable facts of each candidate's public life, each tied to a source and confirmed to be this person. Unresolved matters are labeled with where they stand and do not move a score.

Matt Baker

Jen Kiggans

Elaine Luria

Geral "Bishop" Staten

Who they are

Character

Integrity

Tells the truth, keeps their word, and takes no private gain from public office.

NR

Matt Baker. No public record found.

2 / 4

Jen Kiggans. Annual financial disclosure for 2025 is on file, signed Aug. 13, 2026 after an extension. FEC reports are on file through July 15, 2026. No House Ethics or FEC fine record found. No periodic transaction reports on the Clerk record.

Sources: House Clerk financial disclosure, Filing ID 10079859, House Committee on Ethics site search for Kiggans, FEC administrative fines search, FEC candidate page, 2025 to 2026

1 / 4

Elaine Luria. Pledged in 2018 to refuse corporate PAC money, then accepted $34,000 from 14 corporate PACs in December 2020 (PolitiFact). Disclosures and FEC reports are on file; her one transaction report was timely. No ethics or FEC fine record found.

Sources: PolitiFact, Feb. 5, 2021, WHRO, June 17, 2026, House Clerk financial disclosure, Filing ID 10050741, House Clerk periodic transaction report, Filing ID 20018569, House Committee on Ethics site search for Luria, FEC administrative fines search

NR

Geral "Bishop" Staten. No public record found.

Courage

Takes a stand that costs them something, including telling their own side no.

NR

Matt Baker. No public record found.

2 / 4

Jen Kiggans. In the October 2023 speaker election voted for McCarthy on Oct. 17 and 18 and McHenry on Oct. 20, when the Republican nominee Jordan received 200, 199 and 194 Republican votes on those ballots.

Sources: House Clerk Roll Call 521, Oct. 17, 2023, House Clerk Roll Call 523, Oct. 18, 2023, House Clerk Roll Call 525, Oct. 20, 2023

2 / 4

Elaine Luria. Voted Nay on passage of the HEROES Act on May 15, 2020, one of 14 Democrats to do so while 207 Democrats voted Yea.

Sources: House Clerk Roll Call 109, May 15, 2020, Roll Call, Nov. 12, 2025

NR

Geral "Bishop" Staten. No public record found.

Accountability

Owns mistakes, answers hard questions, and works in the open.

NR

Matt Baker. No public record found.

2 / 4

Jen Kiggans. Held a one-hour telephone town hall in September 2025, her first since April, and an early voting rally in Chesapeake on Sept. 26, 2026. Did not answer VPM's questionnaire. No 2026 debate had been reported by Oct. 5.

Sources: The Virginian-Pilot via Yahoo News, Sept. 2025, WTKR, Sept. 26, 2026, VPM 2nd District Q&A, Sept. 24, 2026

2 / 4

Elaine Luria. Held a public affordability roundtable in Virginia Beach on Sept. 23, 2026 and a press conference on Aug. 28, 2026, answered the VPM and Virginian-Pilot candidate questionnaires, and spoke at a candidate forum reported by Fox News in June 2026.

Sources: The Virginian-Pilot, Sept. 23, 2026, VPM 2nd District Q&A, Sept. 24, 2026, Fox News, June 19, 2026

NR

Geral "Bishop" Staten. No public record found.

Temperament and judgment

Steady under pressure, decides on evidence, and treats opponents and staff with respect.

NR

Matt Baker. No public record found.

2 / 4

Jen Kiggans. Served 10 years as a Navy helicopter pilot, in the Virginia Senate from 2020 to 2023 and in the U.S. House since 2023. No House Ethics Committee conduct record found.

Sources: Office site, About, Ballotpedia, Jennifer Kiggans, House Committee on Ethics site search for Kiggans

2 / 4

Elaine Luria. Served 20 years in the Navy, ending as commander of Assault Craft Unit 2, and two terms in the U.S. House. No House Ethics Committee conduct record found.

Sources: Marine Corps Times, July 13, 2022, House Committee on Ethics site search for Luria

NR

Geral "Bishop" Staten. No public record found.

Fidelity to the oath

Uses power inside its limits: accepts certified results, obeys court rulings, follows the rules of the office.

2 / 4

Matt Baker. Served 28 years as a Marine Corps infantry officer, retiring as a colonel. No official finding of misuse of office found and no public office held.

Sources: VPM 2nd District Q&A, Sept. 24, 2026, WHRO (Virginia Mercury report), Sept. 28, 2026

2 / 4

Jen Kiggans. Took the oath of Navy service (1993 to 2003), the Virginia Senate (2020 to 2023) and the U.S. House (since 2023). Was not in Congress for the January 2021 electoral vote objections. No official finding of misuse of office found.

Sources: Ballotpedia, Jennifer Kiggans, House Committee on Ethics site search for Kiggans

2 / 4

Elaine Luria. Voted Nay on both objections to state electors on Jan. 6 and 7, 2021 (Roll Calls 10 and 11). Served on the House select committee on the Jan. 6, 2021 attack. Not on the Texas v. Pennsylvania amicus brief.

Sources: House Clerk Roll Call 10, Jan. 6, 2021, House Clerk Roll Call 11, Jan. 7, 2021, NBC News, Nov. 12, 2025

NR

Geral "Bishop" Staten. No public record found.

What they bring

Qualifications

Relevant experience

Has done work that prepares them for this specific office.

3 / 4

Matt Baker. Retired Marine Corps colonel after 28 years as an infantry officer, Naval Academy graduate, now senior vice president for grid modernization at Typhoon HIL. Has not held elected or appointed office.

Sources: WHRO (Virginia Mercury report), Sept. 28, 2026, The Virginian-Pilot, Sept. 23, 2026, VPM 2nd District Q&A, Sept. 24, 2026

4 / 4

Jen Kiggans. Serving her second term in the U.S. House for this district, in office since Jan. 3, 2023, and seeking a third. Earlier served in the Virginia Senate from 2020 to 2023 and 10 years as a Navy helicopter pilot.

Sources: Ballotpedia, Jennifer Kiggans, WHRO (Virginia Mercury report), Sept. 28, 2026

4 / 4

Elaine Luria. Represented this district for two terms in the U.S. House from Jan. 3, 2019 to Jan. 3, 2023. Earlier served 20 years in the Navy, reaching commander.

Source: Ballotpedia, Elaine Luria

1 / 4

Geral "Bishop" Staten. Career listed as civil servant on Ballotpedia; told VPM he is a high school basketball announcer and full-time Amazon associate. Has not held public office.

Sources: Ballotpedia, Bishop Staten, VPM 2nd District Q&A, Sept. 24, 2026

Command of the job

Knows the issues and knows what the office can and cannot do.

3 / 4

Matt Baker. Published specific proposals in the Virginian-Pilot questionnaire, including federal Army Corps cost-share for Virginia Beach flood projects and a separate utility rate class for data centers, plus an issues site.

Sources: The Virginian-Pilot, Sept. 23, 2026, Campaign site

4 / 4

Jen Kiggans. Chairs the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations. Published a six-area health care plan in September 2026 and an issues page on her campaign site.

Sources: Office site, About, GovTrack, committee membership, WTKR, Sept. 9, 2026, Campaign site, Issues

3 / 4

Elaine Luria. Published a three-part health care plan in September 2026 (cost, complexity, rural access) and a 'Right the Ship' plan including a stock trading ban. Served as vice chairwoman of the House Armed Services Committee in her prior term.

Sources: WTKR, Sept. 9, 2026, WTKR, Aug. 5, 2026, Marine Corps Times, July 13, 2022

2 / 4

Geral "Bishop" Staten. Published positions in general terms through Ballotpedia's 2025 Candidate Connection survey and the VPM questionnaire.

Sources: Ballotpedia, Bishop Staten, VPM 2nd District Q&A, Sept. 24, 2026

Communication

Explains plainly, persuades, and listens.

3 / 4

Matt Baker. Answered the Virginian-Pilot and VPM candidate questionnaires and publishes issue pages on his campaign site. Has not completed Ballotpedia's survey.

Sources: The Virginian-Pilot, Sept. 23, 2026, VPM 2nd District Q&A, Sept. 24, 2026, Campaign site

3 / 4

Jen Kiggans. Publishes a weekly e-newsletter, holds telephone town halls and posts campaign issue pages. Has not completed Ballotpedia's 2026 survey and did not respond to VPM's questionnaire.

Sources: Office site, Newsletter, The Virginian-Pilot via Yahoo News, Sept. 2025, Campaign site, Issues, Ballotpedia, Jennifer Kiggans, VPM 2nd District Q&A, Sept. 24, 2026

3 / 4

Elaine Luria. Answered the VPM and Virginian-Pilot candidate questionnaires, published issue plans and took part in a candidate forum. Has not completed Ballotpedia's 2026 survey.

Sources: VPM 2nd District Q&A, Sept. 24, 2026, The Virginian-Pilot, Sept. 23, 2026, WTKR, Sept. 9, 2026, Ballotpedia, Elaine Luria

2 / 4

Geral "Bishop" Staten. Completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025 and answered the VPM questionnaire.

Sources: Ballotpedia, Bishop Staten, VPM 2nd District Q&A, Sept. 24, 2026

Roots in the constituency

Lives there, knows the people, and is funded by them.

1 / 4

Matt Baker. States that he has lived in Norfolk for 14 years, outside the 2nd District as drawn in 2021; his FEC statement of candidacy lists a Washington, D.C. address. Moved to the area in 2012 and raised three children here.

Sources: VPM 2nd District Q&A, Sept. 24, 2026, WAVY candidate profile via Yahoo News, Sept. 10, 2026

3 / 4

Jen Kiggans. Lives in Virginia Beach, practiced there as a nurse practitioner and represented the area in the state Senate. Born in Tampa. FEC by-state totals for 2025 to 2026 show about 36 percent of itemized contributions from Virginia.

Sources: Office site, About, Ballotpedia, Jennifer Kiggans, FEC contribution totals by state

1 / 4

Elaine Luria. States that she lives in Norfolk, outside the 2nd District as drawn in 2021. Co-owned a Norfolk business and represented the district from 2019 to 2023. FEC by-state totals show about 34 percent of itemized contributions from Virginia.

Sources: VPM 2nd District Q&A, Sept. 24, 2026, Marine Corps Times, July 13, 2022, FEC contribution totals by state

3 / 4

Geral "Bishop" Staten. Born in Suffolk, graduated from Nansemond River High School and lives in Suffolk, which is inside the district.

Sources: Ballotpedia, Bishop Staten, VPM 2nd District Q&A, Sept. 24, 2026

Management

Can build and run an organization.

2 / 4

Matt Baker. Leads a team as senior vice president for grid modernization at Typhoon HIL. FEC statement of candidacy on file with no funds raised reported.

Sources: VPM 2nd District Q&A, Sept. 24, 2026, FEC candidate page

2 / 4

Jen Kiggans. Campaign committee reports are on file with the FEC through July 15, 2026. No FEC administrative fine record found.

Sources: FEC candidate page, 2025 to 2026, FEC administrative fines search

2 / 4

Elaine Luria. Commanded Assault Craft Unit 2 and was executive officer of the cruiser Anzio; the size of the command is not stated. FEC reports are on file through July 15, 2026 with no debts. No FEC administrative fine record found.

Sources: Marine Corps Times, July 13, 2022, FEC candidate page, 2025 to 2026, FEC administrative fines search

NR

Geral "Bishop" Staten. No public record found.

What they deliver

Performance

Results

Turns ideas into outcomes.

NR

Matt Baker. No public record found.

4 / 4

Jen Kiggans. Legislative Effectiveness Score 2.0 of 2.302 in the 118th Congress against a benchmark of 1.190, which the Center for Effective Lawmaking classes as exceeding expectations. GovTrack counts 4 enacted bills as primary sponsor.

Sources: Center for Effective Lawmaking House dataset, 93rd to 118th Congress, GovTrack, enacted legislation

4 / 4

Elaine Luria. Legislative Effectiveness Score 2.0 of 2.197 in the 117th Congress against a benchmark of 1.438, which the Center for Effective Lawmaking classes as exceeding expectations. GovTrack counts 11 enacted bills as primary sponsor.

Sources: Center for Effective Lawmaking House dataset, 93rd to 118th Congress, GovTrack, enacted legislation

NR

Geral "Bishop" Staten. No public record found.

Showing up

Does the basic work of the job.

NR

Matt Baker. No public record found.

3 / 4

Jen Kiggans. Missed 42 of 1,917 roll call votes, 2.2 percent, from January 2023 to September 2026.

Source: GovTrack, missed votes

4 / 4

Elaine Luria. Missed 12 of 1,952 roll call votes, 0.6 percent, from January 2019 to December 2022.

Source: GovTrack, missed votes

NR

Geral "Bishop" Staten. No public record found.

Constituent service

Solves problems for the people they represent.

NR

Matt Baker. No public record found.

3 / 4

Jen Kiggans. Lists district offices in Virginia Beach, Onley and Suffolk, offers mobile office hours and help with federal agencies, and holds telephone town halls reported by the Virginian-Pilot.

Sources: Office site, Contact, Office site, Help With A Federal Agency, The Virginian-Pilot via Yahoo News, Sept. 2025

NR

Elaine Luria. No public record found.

NR

Geral "Bishop" Staten. No public record found.

Coalition building

Wins support beyond their own faction.

NR

Matt Baker. No public record found.

4 / 4

Jen Kiggans. Lugar Center Bipartisan Index score of 1.33049 in the latest posted House scores (118th Congress), ranked 19 in the chamber.

Source: Lugar Center and McCourt School Bipartisan Index, House Scores, 118th Congress

4 / 4

Elaine Luria. Lugar Center Bipartisan Index score of 1.044343 in the 117th Congress, ranked 28 in the chamber, her last scored Congress.

Source: Lugar Center and McCourt School Bipartisan Index, House Scores, 117th Congress

NR

Geral "Bishop" Staten. No public record found.

Stewardship of public money

Treats tax dollars as someone else's money.

NR

Matt Baker. No public record found.

NR

Jen Kiggans. No public record found.

NR

Elaine Luria. No public record found.

NR

Geral "Bishop" Staten. No public record found.

How to read this

Each criterion is scored 0 to 4 against the written rubric in the Ballot Standard. NR means no record: there is no reliable public evidence either way, so the criterion is left out and never counts against the candidate. A total is published when at least 8 of 15 criteria have evidence.

A sitting officeholder has a longer public record than a first-time candidate, so the two totals rest on different amounts of evidence. Read the count of criteria beside each score. Low marks require an official finding or a primary record. Allegations and opinion are not used.

No policy position is scored. Evidence checked October 5, 2026. Campaigns and readers can send a correction with a public source to tpg@thepoliticalgroup.com.

Questions

Who should I vote for in Virginia's 2nd Congressional District?

Jen Kiggans has the strongest record in Virginia's 2nd Congressional District. Jen Kiggans scores 71 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, ahead of Elaine Luria at 65, as of October 5, 2026. Jen Kiggans's highest marks are relevant experience and command of the job. Elaine Luria's highest marks are relevant experience and results. Matt Baker (6 of 15 criteria) and Geral "Bishop" Staten (4 of 15 criteria) have too little public record to score. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.

Who is running in Virginia's 2nd Congressional District in 2026?

J. Matt Baker (Independent), Jen A. Kiggans (Republican, incumbent), Elaine G. Luria (Democratic), Geral D. "Bishop" Staten (Independent). The general election is November 3, 2026.

Is Matt Baker a good candidate for Congress?

Matt Baker has public evidence on 6 of the 15 Ballot Standard criteria, short of the 8 needed for a score. The evidence that exists is shown on the scorecard. No record never counts against a candidate.

Is Jen Kiggans a good candidate for Congress?

Jen Kiggans scores 71 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, with public evidence on 14 of 15 criteria: character 50 of 100, qualifications 80 of 100, performance 88 of 100. The standard measures character, qualifications and performance, not policy positions.

Is Elaine Luria a good candidate for Congress?

Elaine Luria scores 65 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, with public evidence on 13 of 15 criteria: character 45 of 100, qualifications 65 of 100, performance 100 of 100. The standard measures character, qualifications and performance, not policy positions.

Is Geral "Bishop" Staten a good candidate for Congress?

Geral "Bishop" Staten has public evidence on 4 of the 15 Ballot Standard criteria, short of the 8 needed for a score. The evidence that exists is shown on the scorecard. No record never counts against a candidate.

How is the strongest record decided?

The candidate with the highest Ballot Standard score has the strongest record. Each of 15 criteria on character, qualifications and performance is scored 0 to 4 from public records and established reporting, the same way for every party. No policy position is scored, and unresolved accusations never move a score.

More on this race: every Virginia race scored, the trailing candidate's path to victory, and the Virginia 2026 election guide. Independent scorecard by The Political Group, not affiliated with any candidate or party.