Elaine Luria

A Veteran Leader Who Answers the Call

Elaine Luria is a U.S. Navy veteran who spent 20 years serving on combat ships as a nuclear-trained surface warfare officer, retiring as a commander. She took on some of the gravest responsibilities imaginable, leading sailors in the Middle East and Western Pacific, commanding a combat-ready unit of 400, and operating complex nuclear reactors. This experience taught her discipline, leadership, and a commitment to service above self. Elaine brought that same sense of duty to Congress when she was first elected in 2018, determined to make the government serve ordinary Americans, not special interests. 

Fighting for Our Military, Veterans, and Coastal Communities

During her time in Congress, Elaine earned respect for her ability to work across the aisle and deliver results for a district centered on Virginia’s Hampton Roads — a region with deep military ties and thousands of veterans and service members. She helped pass the PACT Act to expand health care access for veterans exposed to toxic conditions, secured funding for shipbuilding and national defense, and championed advanced reactor and clean-energy projects to strengthen both national security and economic growth. Elaine has also been a strong voice for common sense gun-safety reforms, especially after tragic mass shootings in her district. 

She’s a proven leader, a veteran who understands the needs of service members and coastal communities, and a bipartisan problem-solver who is ready to stop the recklessness coming out of Washington. Fueled by the needs of maritime and military families who are struggling with rising costs, Elaine is running for Congress again to continue delivering for her community. With her track record of service, competence, and integrity, Elaine is the candidate Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District needs.

Take Back Power in VA-02

Elaine Luria is running for the seat she once flipped, when she was a part of the groundbreaking class of candidates who flipped the House in 2018. Current representative Jen Kiggans, who Trump referred to as his  “warrior,”  voted to gut health care, dismantle Virginia health clinics, and to protect Trump’s cost-spiking tariffs. Having fought against Trump’s extremist attacks and investigated January 6, Elaine has proven she won’t back down from a fight. Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District is one of the most competitive flip opportunities this cycle and is poised to get even more favorable for Dems following redistricting. Elaine is the candidate best positioned to win this seat back and to deliver for the people of Hampton Roads. She has a proven track record of fighting for her community, and EMILYs List is proud to support her in this critical fight to take back the U.S. House in 2026.