Unofficial primary results put Chesapeake on course for Luria-Kiggans rematch

Unofficial results from Virginia’s Aug. 4, 2026, primary election put former Democratic Rep. Elaine Luria on course to face Republican incumbent Jen Kiggans in November in the 2nd Congressional District, which includes Chesapeake.

The expected matchup is not final until Virginia completes its canvassing and certification process. In Chesapeake, the canvass is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 5, at the Chesapeake General Registrar’s Office, 411 Cedar Road.

What the primary result means

The Associated Press reported that Luria won the Democratic nomination in the 2nd District. Kiggans, who defeated Luria in 2022, is the Republican incumbent and is expected to be the Republican opponent in November, pending the applicable certification steps.

The 2nd District includes Chesapeake along with other localities, making the race a cross-locality contest. For Chesapeake voters, the result establishes the expected major-party choices for a congressional race that will be decided across the district rather than within the city alone.

Why the results are still unofficial

The Virginia Department of Elections identifies the Aug. 4 primary results as unofficial. Local results become official after the applicable locality Electoral Board certifies them. Congressional contests and other offices that cross locality lines become official after certification by the State Board of Elections.

Chesapeake’s scheduled canvass is the next local step. The start of canvassing does not mean the process has concluded, and posted totals can still be reviewed or changed before certification. Readers should therefore treat the current Chesapeake and district results as preliminary.

What Chesapeake voters should watch next

Residents should look for updates from the Chesapeake registrar, the Virginia Department of Elections and the State Board of Elections. The key milestones are completion of the local canvass, certification by the relevant electoral boards and final State Board certification for the congressional contest.

Until those steps are complete, Luria and Kiggans should be described as the expected November candidates rather than as a formally certified general-election matchup.

Sources

• Virginia Department of Elections — Election Results
• City of Chesapeake — Canvass
• Associated Press — Virginia Democrats pick nominees to try and flip 2 US House seats