The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has officially endorsed Representative Jen Kiggans for Virginia’s Second Congressional District, signaling a strategic alignment between the national business advocacy group and the incumbent lawmaker. The announcement, confirmed by the Chamber, took place during a stop on the organization’s “Free Enterprise Express Opportunity Tour,” hosted at iFLY Virginia Beach.
The Case for Free Enterprise in Hampton Roads
The endorsement ceremony served as both a political milestone and a platform for the Chamber to articulate its broader economic agenda. By choosing a local business—iFLY Virginia Beach, an indoor skydiving facility—as the backdrop, representatives from the Chamber highlighted the intersection of small business, STEM education, and military-related economic activity. Bob Pizzini, the owner of the facility and a former chair of the Hampton Roads Chamber, joined U.S. Chamber officials to present Representative Kiggans with the “Advocate for American Business Award.”
As of today, I am officially the Republican nominee for Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District on the November ballot! It is the honor of a lifetime to be a voice for commonsense conservatism in Washington and to serve the people of Virginia in Congress, but there is much more… pic.twitter.com/eW4QUnhMyL
Tom Sullivan, the U.S. Tom Sullivan, the Chamber’s Senior Vice President of Small Business Policy, framed the endorsement as a response to economic pressures facing businesses and consumers. “Jen Kiggans has earned the U.S. Chamber’s endorsement for her commitment to policies that strengthen Virginia’s economy and expand opportunity for workers and businesses,” Sullivan stated during the event. He emphasized that the Chamber is seeking candidates who prioritize “practical solutions that help lower costs and keep America competitive.”
“At a time when businesses and consumers continue to face economic pressures, Rep. Kiggans has been a strong advocate for free enterprise and practical solutions that help lower costs and keep America competitive,” said Tom Sullivan, Senior Vice President of Small Business Policy at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
National Strategy Meets Local Policy
The event in Virginia Beach was one of more than 50 stops on a six-week, 20-state tour designed to mobilize support for market-driven economic policies. This “Free Enterprise Express” initiative is part of the Chamber’s “New Fight for Free Enterprise,” a long-term strategy aimed at countering what the organization views as an increasing shift toward government-directed economic intervention.
By backing Kiggans, the Chamber is effectively doubling down on a candidate whose legislative record on regulatory reform and cost-reduction measures aligns with its national platform. Moore Hallmark, the Chamber’s Vice President and Managing Director of Regional Government Affairs, participated in the presentation, underscoring the organization’s focus on federal races that could tip the balance in favor of business-friendly legislation in the next Congress.
Economic Stakes for the Second District
The Second Congressional District of Virginia holds a unique economic profile, heavily influenced by its proximity to military installations and a diverse mix of small-to-medium enterprises. The Chamber’s endorsement rests on the argument that current inflationary pressures and regulatory hurdles require a legislative approach that favors business expansion.
While the Chamber frames its agenda as a path toward innovation and growth, the “New Fight for Free Enterprise” initiative acknowledges a growing national debate over the role of government in the economy. By positioning itself in the heart of Virginia’s coastal economy, the Chamber is attempting to translate high-level policy rhetoric into tangible support for candidates who advocate for deregulation and a reduction in government-directed spending. Whether this endorsement resonates with a broader constituency beyond the business community remains a central question as the legislative cycle progresses.
The Chamber’s criteria for such endorsements remain consistent: a focus on driving innovation and creating opportunities for American workers. As the tour continues across the country, the organization plans to maintain its push against policies it characterizes as threats to economic freedom, ensuring that the debate over the future of the U.S. economy remains at the forefront of the upcoming legislative agenda.
