Virginia 2nd Congressional District candidate Q&A: Elaine G. Luria
Name: Elaine G. Luria
Age: 47
Place of birth: Birmingham, Alabama
Education: U.S. Naval Academy, Bachelor of Science, History and Physics with a
minor in French, 1997. U.S. Naval Nuclear Power School, 1999. Old Dominion
University, Master of Science, Engineering Management, 2004.
Occupation: Retired commander, former small-business owner
Number of years living in District 2: 18
Faith affiliation: Jewish
Current or prior elected offices held: Member of Congress since 2019.
- Can you briefly summarize why you decided to run for the 2nd Congressional District?
As a 20-year Navy veteran, former small-business owner and member of Congress for four years, I have the experience to continue delivering for Coastal Virginia, supporting our working families and growing the Navy. I have always put the people of Coastal Virginia over politics by fighting to expand health-care services and benefits for veterans, secure billions for the defense budget, cut health care and prescription drug costs, and invest in our infrastructure. I look forward to continuing to work across the aisle in a bipartisan fashion to put people over politics and be an independent voice in Congress for Coastal Virginia.
- Who is your political role model? Why?
My political role model is former U.S. Senator for Virginia, Secretary of the Navy, and Navy and Marine Corps veteran John W. Warner. Sen. Warner brought together both sides of the aisle to make a difference in the lives of others, and his service on the Senate Armed Services Committee and as secretary of the Navy helped strengthen and grow the Navy and our military. He dedicated his life to public service, and I admired his commitment to being an independent voice for our commonwealth and our country.
- How should Congress address the inflation and supply chain shortages that have been affecting the nation and world over the past several months?
Though unemployment remains at record lows, inflation and higher costs continue to risk our economic recovery and impact Coastal Virginians and working families across the country. That’s why I supported legislation like the Inflation Reduction Act to provide relief and lower prices in the short term while reducing the deficit and increasing our domestic energy production for the long term. The Inflation Reduction Act lowers the costs of prescription drugs, cuts costs for working families and tackles the root causes of inflation. I have also consistently fought for and passed an increase in pay and benefits for our disabled veterans, active-duty personnel and military families, including a nearly 5% raise for active-duty personnel in this year’s NDAA.
- What are your thoughts on the FBI’s search of former President Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence and the Department of Justice’s investigation of his handling of government documents?
I served as a nuclear-trained surface warfare officer in the Navy for 20 years and handled highly classified and some of the most sensitive information in our country. The former president’s mishandling of classified information that could cause exceptionally grave damage to our national security should be fully investigated by the nonpartisan Department of Justice and appropriate action taken. I am also deeply concerned about my opponent and others around the country who politicized this investigation and attacked and endangered law enforcement before learning the facts. Any attack on law enforcement is unacceptable, and the attacks on the men and women serving in federal law enforcement are despicable.
- Have federal COVID-19 relief funds, including the American Rescue Plan Act, been spent wisely by local governments in the 2nd Congressional District? Why or why not?
The pandemic required a bipartisan response to support health-care workers, keep small businesses open, aid local and state governments and assist Coastal Virginians. Through the American Rescue Plan, Virginia received $2.9 billion in local aid to support local government services that Coastal Virginians depend on, such as providing funding for local law enforcement agencies and emergency services. I supported oversight and accountability measures to ensure that this critical funding went to those who needed it most, and I will continue to push Congress to crack down on bad actors and any waste, fraud and abuse of taxpayer dollars. The pandemic was difficult for everyone, and I worked closely with my office to provide Coastal Virginians and local governments with the resources they needed to cut through the red tape of the federal government. I will continue to secure the resources our businesses, localities, and working families need to thrive.
- What, if any, federal abortion legislation is needed?
A woman’s right to choose is a deeply personal decision that should be made between a woman, her doctor and her faith, not politicians. Jen Kiggans applauded the Supreme Court’s decision to strip millions of women of their rights, and called a national ban on abortion “common sense.” Women today now have fewer freedoms than previous generations. Federal legislation is needed to codify the right to choose into law and defend reproductive rights across the country as states move to ban abortion without exceptions for rape, incest or the life of the mother. In Congress, I have voted to advance legislation to protect women’s reproductive freedom and the right to choose.
- Whom will you support for speaker of the House if elected?
The only election that I am focused on is Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District. Regardless of who the next speaker of the House is, I will continue to work across the aisle to deliver for Coastal Virginia, expand health care for our veterans and ensure that our defense budgets make the investments to strengthen our military and send a message to China and our adversaries around the world.