Luria officially launches campaign
She wants her old seat back.
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Luria officially joins the VA-02 race
Former VA-02 Democratic Rep. Elaine Luria is attempting a comeback for her old seat and is officially announcing her campaign for the Democratic nomination in Virginia’s Second Congressional District.
Luria was elected to VA-02 in 2018, winning one of the three Republican-held seats that flipped to Democrats in Virginia that night.
The district was redrawn after the 2020 census to make it more friendly for Republicans, and former state Sen. Jen Kiggans defeated Luria in 2022.
Kiggans is now serving her second term, and Luria — with the momentum behind Democrats while Donald Trump is president — wants to take the seat back.
“I have served our country and the Commonwealth of Virginia since I was 17 years old, spending 20 years in the Navy as a nuclear engineer and four years as a member of Congress representing Hampton Roads. Service to our country means putting the interests of the people above all else–including political parties,” Luria wrote in her statement Wednesday morning. “That’s why 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. The hardworking people of Hampton Roads deserve a government that lowers costs, creates opportunities, and works to improve their lives.”
Luria was first elected to Congress on the same night as Abigail Spanberger, who is now the governor-elect.
Several Democrats are seeking the VA-02 nomination. In 2024, Kiggans defeated Democratic nominee Missy Cotter Smasal by almost four points.
Luria, who has never had trouble fundraising — has experience in Congress and working with Hampton Roads Democrats — will likely be the one to beat in the primary.
“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,” Luria wrote in her announcement.
Stay tuned for reaction to the announcement later today.