Elaine Luria

Luria served in the U.S. Navy for 20 years and reached the rank of commander. After retiring from the military in 2017, she founded an arts and crafts business called Mermaid Factory.[1]

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Campaign websiteLuria's campaign website stated the following:Elaine’s Plan to Right the ShipI raised my right hand at 17 years old and joined the Navy, spending the next 20 years of my life on combatant ships, deploying six times to the Middle East and Western Pacific, and conducting operations on destroyers, cruisers, and aircraft carriers. In the Navy, I learned about the importance of serving others and putting their needs above myself. When I retired from the Navy, I began a small business from a block of clay on my kitchen table and grew the Mermaid Factory into a thriving family business in Hampton Roads that created jobs and gave back to our community.I used my experience in the military and as a small business owner to run for Congress where I advocated and delivered for the working families of Hampton Roads. From the largest expansion of veterans benefits in our lifetimes to cutting prescription drug costs, I fought for and passed legislation in Congress that has had a real impact on the lives of people who put their trust in me. But I also saw how broken Congress can be, especially when it is used as a tool by corrupt politicians like Jen Kiggans to benefit her dark money donors and further her own political interests. Putting an end to this culture of corruption starts with two major changes:ending the influence special interests have on our political system and stopping the bad policies it leads to which drive up our costs.Virginians want more affordability and less corruption. In the Navy, when the mission isn’t going according to plan, you right the ship. That is what we need to do now more than ever in Washington.I am running for Congress because I have fought for our country before, and I am ready to fight for it again.My Plan to Right the Ship: Ban Members of Congress and their Families from Trading Stocks While in Office Serving the American people is about putting others above oneself. No one should profit off of holding office–especially members of Congress who write our nation’s laws, regulate industry, and receive classified briefings that members of the public cannot access.I support banning members of Congress and their families from trading individual stocks while holding office.End the Blatant Prediction Market Insider Trading Members of Congress, congressional staff, executive branch employees, and political appointees should not use nonpublic information to buy, sell, or exchange prediction market contracts related to political outcomes or government policy. Public servants should never make money on the policies and decisions they help make and shape–especially those with access to classified or national security information. It’s unfair, and it’s wrong. Public service is about putting the American people first, not using insider information to enrich yourself. If a Politician Steals from Taxpayers, they face Mandatory Jail TimeThe American people who work hard and pay their taxes should know that members of Congress are being good stewards of their taxes. Stealing from taxpayers is an egregious breach of trust and there’s no room in Congress for members who abuse their office. I believe that members who steal taxpayer funds, including blatant tax evasion, should serve mandatory jail time and be expelled from Congress. No questions asked. Reform Campaign Finance Laws and Get Dark Money out of Politics The Citizens United decision has allowed dark money, special interests, and the ultra-wealthy to corrode and abuse our political system and democracy. Congress must pass a law to significantly reduce the influence that dark money and special interests have on our elections and in our system.I was proud to support legislation that overturns the disastrous Citizens United decision when in Congress, and I will continue to fight for the For the People Act to restore fairness and power back to the people. End the Broken Pardon System to Ensure Equal Justice for All Politicians from both parties have abused the pardon system to reward their families and wealthy and well-connected donors with political favors. It’s true when then President Joe Biden pardoned his son Hunter and it’s true when President Trump pardoned a Chinese cryptocurrency billionaire who was in prison for enabling money laundering. That’s unacceptable, and we must reform the current system so that those with money and connections don’t get special treatment. We need Congress to work for the working people of this country, not just Donald Trump’s friends and Kiggans’ ultra-wealthy donors. That’s why we must put an end to this corruption agenda that is leaving Virginians behind and driving up costs. Their policies are squeezing working families and raising the cost of living on everything from gas, groceries, and health care costs. Virginians deserve better. Make Life More AffordableThroughout Hampton Roads, I hear the same story from Virginians and their families: “we’re working harder than ever, but we can barely keep up.” From gas and grocery prices to prescription drug costs, housing, and childcare, the rising cost of living continue to squeeze Virginians. We can’t expect families to get ahead when they are barely getting by. Making life more affordable for Virginians means taking on Jen Kiggans’ and Donald Trump’s failed policies that have cost the average American household $1,700 more over the last year alone.I will address the cost of living crisis that Kiggans unleashed and lower prices for working families. Lower the Cost of Health Care and Prescription DrugsNo American should have to choose between the prescriptions they need and being able to afford rent or groceries.While in Congress, I was proud to be one of the key votes in favor of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits, which made health care more affordable for Virginia families. I also proudly voted to stand up to Big Pharma and slash prescription drug costs, cap out of pocket expenses for seniors, and cap the price of insulin at $35 a month for seniors.Jen Kiggans promised to protect Medicaid, then cast the decisive vote for the One Big Beautiful Bill, which made the largest cut to Medicaid in history. Her vote cut $800 million in expected annual revenue from Virginia hospitals, including more than $44 million from hospitals in VA-02, and puts Southampton Memorial Hospital’s at risk of closure. Kiggans also broke her pledge to extend those same ACA tax credits by voting against their extension, causing healthcare premiums to soar for Virginia families.  I will continue to build on the progress we made in Congress to strengthen the ACA, reinstate the ACA tax credits that helped lower costs for middle class families, expand access to health care, cut prescription drug prices, and ensure Medicaid and Medicare are properly funded. Oppose Endless Wars that Raise Gas Prices and the Tariffs on Our Allies that Raise Costs on AmericansGas prices and the cost of everyday items are spiking to levels that have left middle class families struggling to fill their tanks and feed their families because of Jen Kiggans’ lockstep support for Donald Trump’s agenda. She has voted 100% of the time with Donald Trump, including for his reckless tariffs and foreign policy.In Congress, I will serve as a check on Trump’s bad decisions that are costing our families, fight to repeal the tariffs, and reverse legislation and policy decisions that have increased energy costs.Honor America’s Promise to our VeteransAs a 20-year Navy veteran, I know firsthand the unique challenges that our veterans face as they transition out of service. There is nothing greater than fighting for and improving the lives of military families and veterans. In Congress, I served on the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee and was instrumental in passing the PACT Act–the largest expansion of veterans’ benefits in our lifetime. I also introduced and passed the Gold Star Families Act to provide tax relief for Gold Star families and championed legislation to provide three cost of living increases to veterans. I also pressed the Department of Veterans Affairs to find ways to make veterans jobs programs easier to use, cosponsored legislation to increase veteran access to employment programs, and cosponsored a bipartisan bill to increase education opportunities. Kiggans was a major proponent of DOGE, calling it “so necessary” as the agency she backed caused “the termination of more than $8.3 million in grants,” many of which directly impacted military families and veterans throughout Hampton Roads. In Congress, I will continue to fight for my fellow veterans to reverse the devastating DOGE cuts endorsed by Jen Kiggans that have gutted veterans’ care, work to cut red tape in the VA system, and ensure that our veterans get the care they need and deserve. Strengthen our National Security and Care for our Military FamiliesAs a 20-year Navy veteran, I know how important it is to protect the homeland and ensure that our men and women in uniform have the resources and equipment they need to fight for and defend our freedoms. I used my experience in the Navy to champion legislation in Congress that provided troops with a pay raise, invested in our warfighters, strengthened naval seapower, and led efforts to deter our enemies like Russia, China, and Iran.The war in Iran is another unnecessary and endless military intervention in the Middle East that is putting a strain on working families in Hampton Roads, and costing precious American lives and resources that should be spent here at home. Moreover, the war has left Americans no safer, and has emboldened Iran and done nothing to contain Iran’s nuclear ambitions or support for terrorist proxies.I also know that a strong border is essential to strengthening our nation’s security, and I was proud to support comprehensive efforts in Congress to deter illegal immigration and strengthen border security, while also providing a pathway to citizenship for those who follow our nation’s laws. I will continue to fight to improve the quality of life for active duty military personnel and their families, ensure they have the resources they need to deter our adversaries and keep us safe, serve as a check against reckless foreign wars that put our servicemembers at risk, and cost American taxpayers, and strengthen our border security.  Protect Our Seniors Seniors who worked hard their entire lives and paid into Social Security and Medicare deserve to be secure in retirement with the peace of mind that their benefits will be there when they need them—without cuts. Kiggans’ decisive vote for the One Big Beautiful Bill enacted the largest SNAP cut in the program’s history, threatening to take away food assistance for more than 22,000 households in VA-02, including seniors. The legislation introduces stricter Medicaid eligibility checks, imposes work verification requirements for near-elderly adults, and weakens nursing home staffing standards. It also allows expanded Affordable Care Act (ACA) premium subsidies to expireWe must honor our commitments to our seniors and retirees. I will continue to advocate for strengthening Medicare and Social Security, stand firm against any efforts to gut seniors’ hard-earned benefits, and oppose cuts to these critical programs. Fight for Reproductive Freedoms and Stand Up to Abortion ExtremismAs a mother and daughter, I believe that a woman’s right to choose is a decision that should be made between the woman, her doctor, and her faith. In Congress, I voted to codify Roe v. Wade and enshrine the right to an abortion nationwide into law, protect the right to travel for abortion services, and ensure access to reproductive care without government interference. As a veteran, I will also fight to protect reproductive care for our servicemembers.Jen Kiggans celebrated the overturning of Roe v. Wade and received a 100% score from an extremist anti-choice group that supports a 6 week abortion ban. In Congress, Kiggans voted to prohibit abortions at VA medical centers and restrict access to abortions for military personnel. I will continue to advocate and fight for policies that enshrine the right to choose into federal law and ensure access to reproductive care to those who need it. Protect Hampton Roads and the Chesapeake BayHampton Roads often feels the impacts of climate change before anywhere else in the Commonwealth or country. In Congress, I secured funding to mitigate the impacts of sea-level rise, supported legislation to invest in climate resilient infrastructure, and founded the bipartisan Offshore Wind Caucus. I have also been a strong advocate for the Chesapeake Bay and led legislation to secure $85 billion and fully fund the EPA’s Chesapeake Bay Program, and ensure a clean and healthy Bay for our communities, economy, and way of life. Kiggans feigned concern about how the One Big Beautiful Bill slashing clean energy tax credits would raise energy prices and threaten thousands of jobs in VA-02, but voted for the bill anyway. I will continue to lead efforts to combat climate change’s impact on our local community, fight against offshore drilling, restore the Chesapeake Bay, and ensure Hampton Roads has clean air and water. — Elaine Luria's campaign website (August 17, 2026)Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.

Elaine Luria did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2022 Candidate Connection survey.

Elaine Luria did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2020 Candidate Connection survey.

Campaign website

Luria's campaign website stated the following:

As a Navy commander, my philosophy was simple:

“Be Good, Do Good Work.”

That’s what most Americans wake up in the morning and try to do– for their family, their career, and the people they care about. Because in America if you work hard and play by the rules, you expect that you and your family will have an opportunity to succeed.

But today, too many Americans are working hard and getting less. That’s because politicians in Washington aren’t looking out for them. That’s why I am running for Congress.

I am running for Congress to fight for the families of coastal Virginia. The core values of Security, Equality, and Prosperity will serve as my compass in representing the people of Virginia’s 2nd District:

Security

Security not only means that we are providing for the common defense of our nation—and have a strong and ready military to ensure the security of our citizens.

Security means that we are healthy—and have reliable and affordable choices in healthcare.

Security means that we are secure in our neighborhoods—that we do not fear for our safety or that our children are kept safe in their schools. To do this, we must implement universal background checks on all gun sales, prohibit the sale of assault weapons, and repeal the Dickey Amendment so that the CDC can study gun violence. See Elaine’s full position here.

Security means that we keep our obligations to our parents— and preserve Social Security and Medicare that generations have collectively built as promises made to provide and care for those who have worked so hard.

Security means that we must protect our environment— so that we, along with future generations, can breathe fresh air and drink clean water.

Security means that we are secure in our homes—that we have the means and resources to provide stable housing for our families.

Security means that we protect the weakest among us—that we promote, protect, and defend animal welfare by enforcing strict prohibitions on animal cruelty, horse slaughter, and inhumane testing practices.

Equality

Equality means that we are all guaranteed to be treated equitably — regardless of our sex, gender identity, race, religion, or sexual orientation.

Equality means that no one should be made to feel unsafe at their workplace— whether that is in an office or on a warship— every American has the right to be unobstructed in their mission to do good work for our communities.

Equality means that every woman and every person of color has equal access to capital and equal pay for equal work.

Equality means that every child has access to a quality public education— from pre-K to college or technical training— so that they have the tools they need to succeed later in life.

Equality means that every American has equal access to the ballot box— so that their voices can be heard and our Democracy remains responsive to the people.

Equality means that every woman has the autonomy to make their own healthcare choices and has access to quality reproductive healthcare.

Prosperity

Prosperity means that America is investing in our infrastructure— ensuring the safety and vitality of our roads, bridges, ports, tunnels, and rails.

Prosperity means that Americans have access to jobs with living wages and benefits— so that every family can build and save for future generations.

Prosperity means that America is investing in our future— with world-class educational opportunities so that our children can thrive in a global marketplace.

Prosperity means that every American can afford to see a doctor when they are sick and are not one car crash away from financial hardship.

Prosperity means that we protect and preserve our planet for future generations— by incentivizing green innovation.

Prosperity means that we protect and preserve our democracy— from enemies foreign and domestic— to safeguard free and fair elections.[59]

—Elaine for Congress[60]

Campaign advertisements

The following is an example of an ad from Luria's 2018 election campaign.

"Fight for Virginia" - Luria campaign ad, released August 28, 2018