Veteran Navy Pilot Jen Kiggans Enters Race for 7th Senate District

Jen Kiggans, former Navy pilot, nurse practitioner and conservative Republican has entered the race for the Republican nomination in Virginia’s 7th Senate district. The seat is currently held by retiring Senator Frank Wagner and includes parts of Norfolk and Virginia Beach.

Kiggans is the second candidate to seek the Republican nomination. Virginia Beach School Board member Carolyn Weems announced in March.

Support for Kiggans has been strong in the effort to begin her campaign. In less than 48 hours her campaign collected over 750 petition signatures from across the 7th Senatorial District, three times the 250 signatures required to be placed on the June 11th primary ballot.

“This groundswell of support shows Jen’s ability to not only win in November, but to also drive Republican turnout in a number of House of Delegate districts,” said Delegate Glenn Davis.

After earning a degree from Boston University in International Relations, Kiggans stepped up to serve her country in the United States Navy. She served for ten years as a helicopter pilot flying H-46 and H-3 helicopters, completing  two deployments to the Persian Gulf.

Currently a board-certified Adult-Geriatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Jen Kiggans is a graduate of Old Dominion University’s Nursing School and Vanderbilt University’s Nurse Practitioner program. When she is not at EVMS, she also serves as a primary care provider for a small private practice.  She has a passionate advocate for accessibility and affordability of mental health care and mental health screening.

A member of the Republican Professionals Network of Hampton Roads, she is also involved with the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, Virginia Geriatrics Society, and the American Legion.  She is a recipient of the Boston University Scarlet Key Award for exceptional leadership and is a graduate of the University of Virginia’s Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership.

As an everyday citizen who is frustrated with Virginia’s crisis in Richmond, Jen Kiggans is running for the State Senate because she knows Virginia can do better than the current status quo. If elected, she will be a strong voice for Virginia’s veterans and the hardworking taxpayers of the 7th district.

Kiggans will be a leader on the issues of job creation, keeping healthcare costs down, and upholding the sanctity of human life. She believes politics is about public service, not serving one’s self and would be honored to have your support in the June 11th Republican Primary.