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5h ago

Elaine Luria Launches Bid to Reclaim Virginia’s 2nd District, Setting Up Likely Kiggans Rematch

The contest could be pivotal for House control given the district’s swing makeup.

Then-Rep. Elaine Luria speaks on Capitol Hill on April 6, 2022.
FILE - Rep. Elaine Luria, D-Va., speaks as the House select committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol holds a hearing at the Capitol in Washington, July 21, 2022. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)
FILE - From left to right, Rep. Stephanie Murphy, D-Fla., Rep. Pete Aguilar, D-Calif., Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif., Chairman Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., Vice Chair Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., Rep. Adam Kinzinger, R-Ill., Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., and Rep. Elaine Luria, D-Va., are seated as the House select committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol holds its first public hearing to reveal the findings of a year-long investigation, at the Capitol in Washington, June 9, 2022.(AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File)
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Overview

  • Luria, a Navy veteran and former Jan. 6 committee member, announced a 2026 campaign citing “chaos” in Washington and pledging to focus on affordability, health care and veterans.
  • Her entry positions Democrats for a potential rematch against Republican Rep. Jen Kiggans, who defeated Luria in 2022 and won reelection last year by under 4 points in a district Trump narrowly carried.
  • Democratic primary dynamics shifted as Marine veteran Mike Williamson exited and endorsed Luria, while Navy reservist James Osyf said he will remain in the race; other Democrats had previously filed.
  • Virginia Democrats moved the first step of a constitutional amendment to enable mid‑decade redistricting, a developing effort that could alter the 2nd District’s map next year.
  • National Republicans quickly attacked Luria, with the NRCC signaling a robust defense of Kiggans in a seat widely rated among the most competitive of the 2026 cycle.