Updated Nov. 6, 6:15 p.m.

U.S. Rep. Jen Kiggans, R-Virginia Beach, staved off Democratic challenger Missy Cotter Smasal to win a second term representing Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District.

With a 4-point sustained lead by nearly 6 p.m on Wednesday, the Associated Press called the race for Kiggans almost 24 hours after polls closed on Election Day.

In a post to X earlier in the day before the race had officially been called in her favor, Kiggans posted that she was grateful her district has “once again chosen commonsense conservatism.”

The Virginia Beach-anchored district has oscillated between political parties in congressional representation in recent years, with former Democratic  Rep. Elaine Luria ousting Republican Rep. Scott Taylor in 2018, followed by Kiggans ousting Luria in 2022. Smasal had hoped to flip the red district back to blue this year.

In addition to Virginia Beach, the district includes Chesapeake, Suffolk, Isle of Wight and Virginia’s Eastern Shore. Though a primary role of congressional representatives includes securing federal funding for local and state government to use, candidates’ plans to address national issues also featured prominently in the election this year, such as reducing inflation and reproductive rights.

A swingy district, the seat was seen as crucial for determining partisan control of the U.S. House of Delegates. Smasal had the endorsement of House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-New York — likely the next House Speaker should Democrats flip the chamber. Meanwhile, Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana came to Virginia to boost Kiggans and she had appeared at a rally for Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump over the summer.

In a statement Wednesday night, Smasal conceded the race and thanked supporters.

“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,” she said. “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.”