Missy Cotter Smasal

Missy Cotter Smasal served as a Surface Warfare Officer in the U.S. Navy and deployed aboard the U.S.S. Trenton during Operation Enduring Freedom. After her active duty service, Missy started a small business in Virginia Beach, Rita’s Shore Drive, which she owned and operated for over 10 years.

Missy serves as the Virginia Citizen Representative on the Chesapeake Bay Commission, a bipartisan commission that has achieved consistently strong and effective results in pursuit of Bay restoration goals. She is the Executive Director for Valor Run, a local non-profit that produces running events to honor the U.S. military women who have served our nation since 9/11. She is also an adjunct professor at Old Dominion University.

She and her husband, Bryan, who served as an Army Officer, are the proud parents of two great kids. Missy is running for Congress to fight for coastal Virginians, military families, and veterans. She will stand up for our local values and priorities, and push back against extreme politicians in DC.