Denton joins Dem. primary in effort to unseat Kiggans

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — There are now two Democrats running in hopes of eventually unseating Republican Rep. Jen Kiggans this November.

Attorney and Virginia Beach native Jeremiah “Jake Denton” announced he’s joined the race. He’ll first face off with Missy Cotter Smasal in the Democratic primary this spring. She announced her candidacy back in September, and just recently got the backing of Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s Red to Blue program.

Denton says he started testing the waters in late December, and has raised more than $100,000 since. The Democratic primary concludes on June 18, 2024, and the general election is on November 5, 2024.

“My wife Katie and I grew up in Virginia Beach and love raising our children in Hampton Roads. I’ve practiced law throughout the 2nd District for 12 years. Before law school, I worked as a journalist, covering disadvantaged communities and our local economy,” Denton said in a release on Wednesday. “First as a writer and now as a constitutional and civil rights attorney, I have always considered it my job to call out and fight injustice. I’m proud to represent clients in anti-defamation, sexual harassment, and discrimination cases. Our Constitution, civil rights, and the rule of law are critically important to me.”

Denton said “leader in the 2nd District who’s focused on building our economy, restoring reproductive rights, and protecting the rule of law,” in criticizing Kiggans. Though Kiggans hasn’t officially endorsed Trump, many of her Republican colleagues in Congress are lining up to support the former president. They include Rep. Elise Stefanik, who came down to Virginia Beach to stump for Kiggans.

“But extremists – Donald Trump and his followers – are threatening our Constitution and basic freedoms like the right to choose and the right to vote, Denton said. “Trump tried to overturn the last election and claims he’s above the law. Trump talks openly about turning our democracy into a dictatorship. Americans deserve better.”

Jake is a University of Virginia and William & Mary School of Law grad, and currently works as a civil rights and constitutional law attorney.

Click here to visit his website.

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