U.S. Rep. Jen Kiggans, R-Va., will remain Isle of Wight County’s representative in Congress for another two years.

According to complete but unofficial results from the Virginia Department of Elections, Kiggans received 193,449 votes, or 50.9%%, to Smasal’s 177,720, or 46.8%, out of 379,783 ballots cast across the 2nd Congressional District, which encompasses Isle of Wight, the cities of Franklin, Suffolk, Chesapeake and Virginia Beach, Northampton and Accomack counties on the Eastern Shore and part of Southampton County.

Independent candidate Robert Reid Jr. received 8,209 or just under 2.2% of the vote. The remaining 405 ballots, accounting for 0.13%, went to write-in candidates.

Kiggans districtwide 15,729-vote margin of victory surpassed the 10,109-vote margin with which she’d defeated her predecessor, former U.S. Rep. Elaine Luria, D-Va., in 2022.

“It is the honor of a lifetime to be chosen to represent #VA02 in Congress again…!” Kiggans posted to her campaign Facebook page shortly after midnight on Nov. 6. “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!”

Smasal conceded the race shortly after 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 6, issuing the following statement.

“Today I concede the race for Congress,” Smasal said. “I’m proud of our campaign that focused on essential freedoms and protecting our Democracy.  That work must continue, and I know my supporters will continue to make their voices heard. To our voters, I’m sorry that we did not win the day, but I’m so thankful for your hard work and support.  I carry your stories and experiences with me every day, and I am grateful for your trust and teamwork throughout this journey. The countless doors we knocked on, the phone calls we made, and our unwavering commitment to truth and justice in the face of extremism are evidence of our resolve and patriotism.  I hope that Congresswoman Kiggans will develop the strength to stand up to extremism in her own party and focus on the needs of ALL Coastal Virginians. We will always know that we were on the right side of history.  Keep the faith and keep up the fight.”

Kiggans carried Isle of Wight County with 14,449, or just under 60.6%, of 23,849 ballots cast countywide to Smasal’s 8,894 or just under 37.3%. Reid received 482, or 2% of Isle of Wight’s total while the remaining 24 ballots, accounting for 0.1%, went to write-in candidates.

Kiggans also carried the majority of votes in Southampton and Accomack counties and the cities of Chesapeake and Virginia Beach while Smasal carried Franklin, Suffolk and Northampton County.

In the presidential race, 14,375 Isle of Wight voters, or just under 59.6%, across its 17 polling precincts were backed former President Donald Trump while another 9,446, or 39.1% backed Vice President Kamala Harris. The Associated Press called the national race for Trump shortly after 5:30 a.m. on Nov. 6 after the former president, now president-elect, won Wisconsin’s 10 electoral votes, putting him seven ahead of the 270-vote margin to win the Electoral College.

Editor’s note: This story was updated at 6:20 p.m. on Nov. 6 with a statement by Missy Cotter Smasal.