Attorney Jeremiah “Jake” Denton IV and Missy Cotter Smasal, a Navy veteran, are vying for the Democratic nomination in the 2nd Congressional District.
Though the primary is just weeks away, the candidates have their eyes set on the November general election. So far, they’ve refrained from fierce attacks against each other, instead saving their jabs for incumbent Republican Jen Kiggans or the GOP overall.
The winner of the June 18 primary will face a tough fight in November. Kiggans ousted Democrat Elaine Luria from the seat two years ago. This year’s race is expected to be among the most competitive in the nation and could help determine which party holds the House of Representatives.
As is often the case in primaries, Denton and Smasal share some major policy priorities, with both identifying voter rights and reproductive health care as top concerns. Neither has previously held elected office.
Denton, 48, is a lawyer specializing in constitutional law and civil rights. The lifelong Virginia Beach resident further described himself as a father, surfer and Little League coach. He previously worked as a reporter for Inside Business and Port Folio Weekly, publications that were owned by The Virginian-Pilot’s former parent company, Landmark Media Enterprises.
Denton said he was compelled to run for office after the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. He completed a leadership program at the University of Virginia’s Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership before launching his campaign.
“I love fighting for my clients’ rights,” he said, adding he now wants to fight for the nation. “I decided in December that the best way I can contribute to our society is by beating Jen Kiggans and turning this district blue.”
Denton said he is alarmed by nationwide efforts to restrict voting rights. If elected, he would back measures to allow all states to have the options offered in Virginia, like extended early voting and no-excuse absentee voting.
He identified reproductive health care as another top priority. He supports codifying abortion rights into federal law.
Denton is also concerned with social media and Section 230, a provision in the Communications Decency Act that gives tech companies broad legal immunity for what their users post online. He believes Congress should remove that blanket immunity, a move a bipartisan group of House lawmakers recently proposed.
“That freedom that they’ve had from being held accountable has allowed them to grow into these mega companies that are dominating society and warping our politics,” he said. “It’s a national security problem.”
Denton added that he grew up in a family that was passionate — and divided — about politics. He said he would try to reach across the aisle if elected.
“My grandfather was a Republican senator and a war hero; my dad was a liberal trial lawyer,” he said. “I remember getting woken up in the middle of the night when we were visiting my grandparents and my dad and my grandfather would be screaming about politics. That’s why the theme of my campaign is finding common ground, and that can start in families.”
Read the full article: https://www.pilotonline.com/2024/06/03/here-are-the-candidates-vying-to-represent-democrats-in-2nd-congressional-district-against-jen-kiggans/