"I cannot sit back and watch as Republicans in Congress create chaos while failing to address the rising cost of living and the issues that matter to Coastal Virginians.

“Virginians are hungry for change, and I look forward to getting back to work for Hampton Roads to make life more affordable for working families, grow our economy, cut health care costs, and strengthen our military." (Campaign Announcement, NPR- VPM News Morning Monitor, 11/12/25)

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To hear directly from Candidate Luria, watch this short video:​​

Elaine Luria launches campaign to run for Virginia's 2nd District

 

BACKGROUND AND EXPERIENCE​
​​Elaine Luria served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2019 to 2023. Before that, she was in the U.S. Navy for 20 years. where she rose to the rank of Commander. As a naval officer, Luria was an engineer who operated nuclear reactors. She led a combat–ready unit of 400 sailors for about three years.

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Luria’s war zone deployments and commanding officer service were invaluable on the House Armed Services, Homeland Security, and Veterans Affairs committees and will inform her work when Democrats retake the House.

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Luria was one of the original members appointed to the Select Committee to Investigate the January 6 Attack on the United States Capitol in 2021. She and Rep. Adam Kinzinger co-led the eighth public hearing in July 2022 after which Luria lost her House seat.

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While the federal government was in partial shutdown, Luria said that she had asked for her salary to be withheld until federal workers were paid in January 2019.

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Born in Birmingham, Alabama, Elaine Luria received a BS degree from the  United States Naval Academy and an MS from Old Dominion University. She completed training at the United States Naval Power School.

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Luria and her husband Robert have one child.

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ON THE ISSUES

In Congress, Luria’s work championing a strong military consistently led to increased defense budgets.  She was instrumental in passing legislation improving access to health care for veterans with conditions related to toxic exposure, like burn pits. She was a consistent voice for state-of-the-art nuclear technology, working to pass bipartisan legislation to field advanced reactor demonstration projects.

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As a member of Congress, Rep. Luria was consistently lauded as one of the most bipartisan legislators and as as the “most effective” freshman member of the House. (Institute of Politics and Public Service)

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Now Luria is dedicated to working both sides of aisle to address “the high cost of everything.” (AP Archive You Tube video)

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POLITICS IN VIRGINIA

Virginia is usually seen as a blue slate in presidential elections having not elected a Republican president since 2004 or a Republican senator since 2002. Of the state's 11-seat House of Representatives delegation, six are Democrats. Democrats are actively pursuing a congressional redistricting plan that might increase their delegation to a 10-1 majority – assuming the plan is approved in time to apply in this November’s elections.

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Elaine Luria defeated Republican incumbent Scott Taylor in 2018 and again in 2020 before losing to Republican Jen Kiggans in ‘22. She will face Kiggans again this year. Traditionally, a swing District, VA 02 is now considered one of the most competitive districts in the nation.

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Both the Cook Political Report and Sabato's Crystal Ball currently rate this race as Toss-up.

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