Jen Kiggans

Jen Kiggans
Born	Jennifer Ann Moore 18 6, 1971
Birthplace	Tampa, Florida, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician, nurse practitioner
Known for	U.S. Representative for Virginia's 2nd congressional district
Education	Vanderbilt University (MSN)
Children	4
Website	[kiggans.house.gov Official site]

Jennifer Ann Kiggans (née Moore; born June 18, 1971) is an American politician, former United States Navy helicopter pilot, and geriatric nurse practitioner who has served as the U.S. representative for Virginia's 2nd congressional district since January 2023. A member of the Republican Party, Kiggans served in the Navy from 1993 to 2003, flying helicopters during the Kosovo War and the Iraq War, before transitioning to a career in healthcare as a board-certified nurse practitioner specializing in geriatric and adult care. She entered electoral politics in 2019, winning a seat in the Virginia Senate representing the 7th district, where she served from 2020 to 2022. In the 2022 midterm elections, Kiggans defeated Democratic incumbent Elaine Luria to capture the 2nd congressional district seat in the Hampton Roads region of southeastern Virginia. She won re-election in 2024. In Congress, Kiggans has focused on military and veterans' affairs, healthcare policy, and issues affecting the large military community in her district, serving on the House Armed Services Committee.

Early Life

Jennifer Ann Moore was born on June 18, 1971, in Tampa, Florida. She grew up in Florida before pursuing a career in the United States military. Details of her childhood and family background prior to her military service are limited in available public records, though her campaign biography notes her upbringing shaped an interest in service to her country.

Kiggans entered the United States Navy in 1993, beginning a decade-long military career. She trained as a naval aviator and became a helicopter pilot, one of the relatively few women to serve in that capacity at the time. During her ten years of active-duty service, she participated in operations related to the Kosovo War and the Iraq War. Her military service concluded in 2003, after which she transitioned to civilian life in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia, a region home to multiple major military installations including Naval Station Norfolk, the world's largest naval base.

After leaving the Navy, Kiggans pursued a second career in healthcare. She obtained additional education in nursing and became a board-certified adult and geriatric nurse practitioner, working with elderly and veteran patients in the Hampton Roads community. Her dual background as a military veteran and healthcare provider later became central elements of her political identity.

Education

Kiggans earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Boston University. She subsequently earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, and a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. Her graduate education at Vanderbilt prepared her for certification as an adult and geriatric nurse practitioner, a credential she maintained throughout her subsequent political career.

Career

Military Service

Kiggans served on active duty in the United States Navy from 1993 to 2003 as a naval aviator specializing in helicopter operations. During her decade of military service, she flew helicopters in support of operations during the Kosovo War and the Iraq War. Her military background later informed much of her policy work, particularly regarding defense spending, military readiness, and veterans' affairs. She has frequently cited her service as a formative experience that motivated her entry into both healthcare and public service.

Healthcare Career

Following her military service, Kiggans pursued nursing education and became a board-certified nurse practitioner. She practiced as a geriatric and adult nurse practitioner in the Hampton Roads area, treating elderly patients and veterans. Her healthcare career provided her with firsthand experience in the challenges facing the American healthcare system, particularly as they relate to aging populations and veteran care, topics she would later emphasize in her political campaigns and legislative work.

Virginia Senate (2020–2022)

In April 2019, Kiggans announced her candidacy for the Virginia Senate seat in the 7th district, which was being vacated by retiring Republican Frank Wagner. The district encompassed portions of the Hampton Roads region, including parts of Virginia Beach. Her entry into the race drew attention as a political outsider with a background in military service and healthcare rather than prior political experience.

The 7th Senate district race was identified as one of the key contests that could determine control of the Virginia statehouse in the 2019 elections. The campaign featured attack ads from both sides as Election Day approached. Kiggans won the general election in November 2019.

After her victory, Kiggans was one of two political outsiders who joined the Virginia Senate in the 2020 session, a development noted by The Washington Post as reflective of a trend of non-traditional candidates entering Virginia politics. She took office on January 8, 2020, succeeding Wagner. During her time in the Virginia Senate, she served in the Republican minority following Democrats' takeover of both chambers of the Virginia General Assembly in the 2019 elections. Kiggans represented the 7th district until November 15, 2022, when she resigned to prepare for her incoming term in the U.S. Congress. She was succeeded by Democrat Aaron Rouse.

2022 Congressional Campaign

While serving in the Virginia Senate, Kiggans began laying the groundwork for a run for the U.S. House of Representatives. By early 2021, The Washington Post reported on the emerging race between Kiggans and incumbent Democratic congresswoman Elaine Luria in Virginia's 2nd congressional district.

The 2nd congressional district, centered on Virginia Beach and the Hampton Roads area, was home to a substantial military population and had been considered a competitive swing district. Luria, a Navy veteran herself, had flipped the seat from Republican control in 2018. The 2022 matchup between two women with military backgrounds attracted national attention.

Kiggans secured the Republican nomination, prevailing in the primary process over other candidates. The Washington Post covered the dynamics of the 2nd district race as one of the more closely watched contests of the 2022 cycle, noting that redistricting had made the seat slightly more favorable to Republicans.

The general election campaign focused on issues including the economy, inflation, abortion rights following the Supreme Court's overturning of Roe v. Wade, and national security. The abortion issue became a flashpoint in the race; both candidates were asked to respond to the Supreme Court ruling, with Kiggans and Luria offering contrasting positions on the matter. VPM News noted that Hampton Roads could help determine control of the U.S. House of Representatives, placing the Kiggans-Luria contest among the pivotal races nationwide.

On Election Day in November 2022, Kiggans defeated Luria, flipping the seat back to Republican control. Her victory contributed to the Republican Party's narrow majority in the 118th Congress.

U.S. House of Representatives (2023–present)

Kiggans took office on January 3, 2023, as the representative for Virginia's 2nd congressional district, succeeding Luria. She was assigned to the House Armed Services Committee, a placement consistent with her military background and the defense-oriented constituency of her district.

Legislative Priorities

In Congress, Kiggans has focused on healthcare policy, military affairs, and veterans' issues. In September 2025, she introduced the Bipartisan Premium Tax Credit Extension Act alongside Representative Tom Suozzi (D-NY), aimed at preventing increases in health insurance premiums for constituents in Virginia and elsewhere who receive subsidies through the Affordable Care Act marketplace.

In October 2025, Kiggans and Representative Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ) led a letter to Speaker Mike Johnson urging action on ACA tax credit extensions in the aftermath of a government shutdown.

Kiggans also introduced legislation in September 2025 aimed at guaranteeing military pay during government shutdowns, a bipartisan measure reflecting concerns from the large military community in her district.

In December 2025, she introduced two bipartisan bills focused on lowering prescription drug costs and expanding healthcare access for servicemembers, veterans, and seniors.

In July 2025, Kiggans voted in favor of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, described by her office as landmark legislation.

2024 Re-election

Kiggans won re-election to the U.S. House in the November 2024 general election, securing a second term representing Virginia's 2nd congressional district.

Political Position and 2026 Outlook

Heading into the 2026 election cycle, the Virginia Mercury described Kiggans as holding "one of the most precarious political" positions among House Republicans. The report examined how the activities of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, could present political risks for Kiggans given the large number of federal employees and military personnel in her district.

In February 2026, a political advertisement aired in Hampton Roads accused Kiggans of cutting veterans' healthcare, a claim that was examined by the 13News Now VERIFY team.

Public Engagement

In February 2026, Kiggans spoke at Regent University in Virginia Beach, where she shared her perspective on public service and policy issues with the university community.

Personal Life

Kiggans resides in Virginia Beach, Virginia. She has four children. Her personal life has remained relatively private compared to her public career, though she has spoken publicly about her experiences as a military spouse and mother. Her former husband also served in the Navy, and the family's deep ties to the military community in Hampton Roads have been a recurring theme in her public life and political campaigns.

As a nurse practitioner, Kiggans has maintained her healthcare credentials alongside her political career, a dual identity she has highlighted when discussing healthcare legislation and veterans' care policy.

Recognition

Kiggans has been recognized primarily for her dual career as a military veteran and healthcare professional who transitioned into public service. Her 2022 victory over incumbent Elaine Luria was noted nationally as one of the key Republican pickups that contributed to the party's narrow majority in the 118th Congress.

The Main Street Republican PAC identified Kiggans as a candidate aligned with its platform during her congressional campaigns.

Her role on the House Armed Services Committee has positioned her as a voice on defense and military personnel issues, drawing on her decade of service as a Navy helicopter pilot.