J.
Matt Baker
Independent candidate J. Matt Baker, retired Marine colonel and energy engineer, runs for Virginia's 2nd Congressional District in 2026.
- sources
- 7
- positions
- 12
- endorsements
- 1
Background
J. Matt Baker is an independent candidate running for Virginia's 2nd Congressional District in the November 3, 2026 general election. He is not the incumbent; the seat is currently held by Republican Rep. Jen Kiggans. 116
Baker retired from the U.S. Marine Corps as a colonel after 28 years of service. He holds a B.S. in aerospace engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy (class of 1987), an M.S. in aerospace engineering from the University of Maryland, and an MBA from Old Dominion University. 7
In the civilian sector, Baker has worked in the energy industry, including as Director of Energy Programs at Fairlead Integrated. His campaign biography identifies his current role as Senior Vice President for Grid Modernization at Typhoon HIL. 7
Baker lives in Norfolk, Virginia, where he has resided for approximately 14 years. He has said Hampton Roads is his home community. 717 Independent Veterans of America endorsed his 2026 congressional campaign. 11
At a glance
- Party
- Independent
- Running for
- U.S. House · District 2, Virginia
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
- Current office
- Senior Vice President for Grid Modernization at Typhoon HIL
- Website
- mattbakerindependent.com(opens in a new tab)
Where they stand
Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.
Timeline
- Oct 1debateNo debates scheduled among VA-02 candidates, including Baker
The Daily Signal reported that no debates were scheduled among the district's candidates as of October 1, 2026.
2nd-Congressional-District-Rematch-Delivers-a-Tight-Race · Oct 1, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 28newsBaker outlines policy priorities: campaign-finance reform, Iran war exit, AI regulation
In a Virginia Mercury report carried by WHRO, Baker said he supported campaign-finance reform, wanted to serve as a 'conduit' between parties to reduce gridlock, called for the U.S. to leave the war in Iran, and criticized a lack of federal regulation of data centers and AI.
Luria and Kiggans rematch in Virginia's 2nd Congressional ... · Sep 28, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 28newsBaker confirmed on ballot as one of two independents in VA-02 four-way race
WHRO described Baker as one of two independents challenging Republican incumbent Jen Kiggans and Democrat Elaine Luria in Virginia's 2nd Congressional District.
Luria and Kiggans rematch in Virginia's 2nd Congressional ... · Sep 28, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 24newsBaker states his campaign takes no PAC, corporate, or super PAC money
In VPM's candidate Q&A, Baker said: 'This campaign takes no PAC money — not corporate, not party, not billionaire super PACs.' No receipts report was available to independently verify campaign funding levels.
2nd District Q&A: Matt Baker, Jen Kiggans, Elaine Luria, ... · Sep 24, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 24newsVirginia clears Baker to run in 2nd District despite D.C. address on FEC filing
VPM reported that Baker had been cleared by the Virginia Department of Elections to run in the district. His FEC Statement of Candidacy listed a Washington, D.C., address, but Baker told VPM he lived in Norfolk and argued that state residency, not district residency, was the legal requirement.
2nd District Q&A: Matt Baker, Jen Kiggans, Elaine Luria, ... · Sep 24, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Jul 22filingBaker registers federal campaign committee 'Matt Baker for Congress' with FEC
The FEC received a Statement of Organization for Matt Baker for Congress. As of October 11, it was the committee's only filing; no report of receipts and disbursements had been filed, so public FEC fundraising totals were unavailable.
Virginia U.S. House District 2 | The Stated Record · Oct 1, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Endorsements
- Independent Veterans of America (IVA) organizationIVA founder and CEO Paul Rieckhoff announced the endorsement, saying the organization was 'very proud to endorse' Baker, an independent Marine Corps veteran running in Virginia's 2nd Congressional District. independentveteransofamerica.org · Sep 22, 2026
Campaign finance
Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.
- Raised
- $0
- Spent
- $0
- Cash on hand
- $0
Reporting date not available. ↳ FEC record H6VA02263(opens in a new tab)
Sources 7
- [1] J. Matt Baker(opens in a new tab) Oct 5, 2026
- [2] VISION | Matt Baker(opens in a new tab) Oct 5, 2026
- [3] 2nd-Congressional-District-Rematch-Delivers-a-Tight-Race(opens in a new tab) Oct 1, 2026
- [4] Virginia U.S. House District 2 | The Stated Record(opens in a new tab) Oct 1, 2026
- [5] Luria and Kiggans rematch in Virginia's 2nd Congressional ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 28, 2026
- [6] 2nd District Q&A: Matt Baker, Jen Kiggans, Elaine Luria, ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 24, 2026
- [7] Independent Veterans of America Announces Endorsement of Matt ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 23, 2026