Vindman Wins Virginia House Race, Keeping a Key Seat in Democratic Hands

Yevgeny “Eugene” Vindman won a heated race for Virginia’s 7th Congressional District, keeping this battleground seat in Democratic hands and sending Vindman — best known for his supporting role in Donald Trump’s first impeachment — to the chamber where his identical twin once testified about the former president.

His victory over fellow Army veteran Derrick Anderson, projected by the Associated Press on Wednesday night, boosts his party’s chances to take control of the House. He will succeed Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D), who opted not to seek reelection as she runs for governor next year.

“Despite the polarization in Washington I remain optimistic that we can cut through the gridlock,” Vindman said in a speech Tuesday night, declaring victory before the race was called.

The race was called just after Rep. Jen Kiggans (R) was projected to defeat Democratic challenger Missy Cotter Smasal for a second term in Congress representing the Virginia Beach-centered 2nd District, considered one of the closest contests in the country and also key to each party’s hopes of taking control of the House.

The narrowly divided district, heavy with retired and active-duty military members, has changed parties twice in the past six years. Kiggans’s win, projected by the Associated Press early Wednesday evening, came as Democrats statewide turned in early results that were weaker than expected, though margins were likely to change as totals emerged from urban areas.

Kiggans had led in the slightly Republican-leaning district for most of the summer, but the race tightened in the past few weeks. She ran hard on issues related to the economy and veterans’ affairs, and the message seemed to resonate with voters.

Kiggans declared victory early Wednesday morning before the AP call, posting on X: “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!”