Former Virginia Dem Rep Elaine Luria launches campaign to retake seat

"I 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," Elaine Luria said

By Natalia Mittelstadt

Published: November 12, 2025 2:19pm

Former Virginia Rep. Elaine Luria (D) said Wednesday that she is launching a campaign to retake her congressional seat from GOP Rep. Jen Kiggans.

“I have served our country and the Commonwealth of Virginia since I was 17 years old, spending 20 years in the Navy as a nuclear engineer and four years as a member of Congress representing Hampton Roads,” Luria said in the statement, The Hill reported.

“Service to our country means putting the interests of the people above all else–including political parties,” she added. “That’s why I 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.”

Luria was a congresswoman from 2019 to 2023, until Kiggans won the seat three years ago.

President Donald Trump previously criticized Luria, who served on the House Jan. 6 subcommittee created by then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Luria's campaign launch comes after Democrats won executive offices statewide in Virginia last week, including former Rep. Abigail Spanberger's victory in the gubernatorial race.