Elaine Luria Launches Bid to Reclaim Virginia Swing Seat, Stresses Pro-Israel Record and Bipartisan Service

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (VINnews) — Former Rep. Elaine Luria, D-Va., a Jewish Navy veteran and staunch defender of Israel, announced Wednesday she will seek to reclaim the coastal Virginia congressional seat she lost in 2022.

Luria, who represented the Tidewater region’s 2nd District from 2019 to 2023, said she “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.” She cited affordability, economic growth, lowering health care costs and military support as priorities.

“Service to our country means putting the interests of the people above all else — including political parties,” Luria said, accusing Rep. Jen Kiggans, R-Va., the incumbent, of prioritizing loyalty to former President Donald Trump over constituents.

Both Luria and Kiggans are Navy veterans. The district, home to a large military population, flipped to Kiggans in 2022 after Luria held it for two terms.

Democratic Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger carried the district in last week’s election, and possible Democratic-led redistricting could make the seat more favorable to her party ahead of the 2026 midterms.

During her congressional tenure, Luria emerged as a leading moderate voice against antisemitism and in support of Israel, often criticizing fellow Democrats. She was among the few House Democrats who consistently opposed Biden administration efforts to rejoin the Iran nuclear deal, insisting any agreement must permanently block Tehran from obtaining nuclear weapons.

In 2021, Luria organized pro-Israel House Democrats to speak on the floor in defense of Israel’s military operations against Hamas in Gaza, countering a parallel effort by far-left members.

Her first House speech in 2019 condemned antisemitic remarks by Reps. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., and Ilhan Omar, D-Minn. Luria repeatedly called out Democratic colleagues and party leaders for insufficient action against antisemitism and accused some members of questioning Israel’s right to exist.

Luria attended Trump White House ceremonies for the president’s executive order combating campus antisemitism and the Abraham Accords. She served as vice chair of the House Armed Services Committee and on the select panel probing the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot, acknowledging the role might cost her re-election.

Two other Democrats are already challenging Kiggans: James Osyf, a Lockheed Martin employee and Navy reservist who raised $383,000 through September, and Mike Williamson, a retired Marine lieutenant colonel who raised $229,000. Osyf vowed to stay in the race, saying the moment “demands new leaders” to fight corruption and defend democracy.

Kyle Kondik, managing editor of Sabato’s Crystal Ball at the University of Virginia Center for Politics, called Luria the likely primary front-runner given her prior victory in the district. He said Democratic confidence is evident in recruiting a “proven” candidate like Luria, and redistricting could shift voters from safely Democratic neighboring districts held by Reps. Bobby Scott and Jennifer McClellan into the 2nd.

Even if the seat becomes solidly Democratic, Kondik said Luria would remain the favorite, though she could draw left-leaning primary challengers.