{"id":2509586,"date":"2025-11-12T08:38:02","date_gmt":"2025-11-12T13:38:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/former-virginia-house-democrat-launches-comeback-bid-for-2026\/"},"modified":"2025-11-12T08:40:01","modified_gmt":"2025-11-12T13:40:01","slug":"former-virginia-house-democrat-launches-comeback-bid-for-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/former-virginia-house-democrat-launches-comeback-bid-for-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Former Virginia House Democrat launches comeback bid for 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">18<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fformer-virginia-house-democrat-launches-comeback-bid-for-2026%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2509586&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Former Virginia House Democrat Elaine Luria has announced her campaign to reclaim her former seat in Virginia&#8217;s 2nd Congressional District, aiming to unseat current Republican Representative Jen Kiggans in a 2026 rematch. Luria lost the seat to Kiggans in 2022 by a narrow margin after having flipped it blue in 2018. Both candidates are Navy veterans, representing a district with a large military population, including the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/secstate-blinken-on-bidens-climate-agenda-americans-that-relied-on-old-industries-will-be-hit-hard\/\" title=\"SecState Blinken On Biden\u2019s Climate Agenda: Americans \u2018That Relied On Old Industries Will Be Hit Hard\u2019\">largest naval base<\/a> in the country. Luria emphasized her commitment to addressing issues like affordability,<a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/biden-calls-travel-lid-for-wednesday-an-hour-after-bobulinski-interview-airs\/\" title=\"Biden Calls Travel Lid for Wednesday an Hour After Bobulinski Interview Airs\">health care costs<\/a>,economic growth,and military strength,criticizing the current Republican-led Congress for failing to tackle rising living costs. The district is considered one of the most competitive GOP-held seats in Virginia and a key battleground in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/johnson-not-seeking-3rd-term-in-2022-is-probably-my-preference\/\" title=\"Johnson: Not seeking 3rd term in 2022 is probably my preference\">upcoming midterm elections<\/a>. Luria&#8217;s campaign follows recent Democratic gains in the state, including winning major statewide offices in 2025, signaling a potential shift in virginia&#8217;s political landscape.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Former Virginia House Democrat launches comeback bid after elections give party boost in state<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2395695\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>Former <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/section\/news\/house\/\">House<\/a> Democrat Elaine Luria launched a campaign on Wednesday seeking to reclaim her old seat in a swing <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/virginia\/\">Virginia <\/a>district. She lost her reelection bid three years ago to Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-VA).<\/p>\n<p>Luria is looking to unseat Kiggans<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/235470\/midterm-results-jen-kiggans-wins-virginias-competitive-2nd-district\/\"> in a rematch<\/a> to represent Virginia&rsquo;s 2nd Congressional District.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/3883448\/air-travel-delays-after-government-shutdown\/\">Government may reopen, but air travel chaos is far from over<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/3883097\/republican-trump-supporter-chad-bianco-california-gubernatorial-race\/\">Republican Trump supporter leads pack in crowded California gubernatorial race<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/3883028\/trumpworld-gets-behind-ty-masterson-kansas-governor-race\/\">Trumpworld gets behind Ty Masterson in Kansas governor&rsquo;s race<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>&ldquo;Virginians are hungry for change, and I look forward to getting back to work for Hampton Roads to make life more affordable for working families, grow our economy, cut health care costs, and strengthen our military,&rdquo; Luria said in <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/ElaineLuria\/status\/1988580254345220544\">a statement <\/a>to X announcing her campaign.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Service to our country means putting the interests of the people above all else&ndash;including political parties,&rdquo; she added. &ldquo;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. Hampton Roads deserves a government that lowers costs, creates opportunities &amp; improves their lives.&rdquo;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The district is viewed as the most competitive GOP-held seat in the state and is expected to be one of the most competitive races in the country in the 2026 elections.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Kiggans won <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/3215158\/kiggans-cotter-smasal-virginia-2nd-house-district-results\/\">her 2024 bid<\/a> for reelection by nearly 4%. Luria had flipped the seat blue in 2018, before being defeated by Kiggans in 2022 by just over three percentage points.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Both women are Navy veterans, hailing from a district that is home to the largest naval base in the country, with a voting population heavily composed of active-duty and retired military.<\/p>\n<p>District 2 covers much of the southeastern coast of Virginia, including Virginia Beach, Suffolk, Franklin, Isle of Wight County, Accomack County, and Northampton County.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/3880519\/spanberger-election-not-excuse-democrats-shutdown\/\">SPANBERGERS SAYS ELECTION WIN &lsquo;ABSOLUTELY NOT&rsquo; EXCUSE FOR DEMOCRATS TO EXTEND SHUTDOWN<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Luria&rsquo;s move to run for office again comes after Democrats saw a boost in the state during the 2025 election.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The party won seats in the governor&rsquo;s mansion, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/mi-lawmakers-just-made-it-easier-to-commit-election-fraud\/\" title=\"MI Lawmakers Simplify Process for Election Fraud\">attorney general&#038;rsquo<\/a>;s office, and lieutenant governor&rsquo;s position, decisively fending off Republican hopes of building on a swing toward a red Virginia experienced during the 2024 presidential election.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Former Virginia Democrat Elaine Luria launches comeback bid<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3142,"featured_media":2509587,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/AP25316110066462.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[538],"tags":[45496,32923,5894,5468],"class_list":["post-2509586","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-washington-examiner","tag-2026-election","tag-democratic-party","tag-politics","tag-virginia"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/AP25316110066462.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2509586","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3142"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2509586"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2509586\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2509591,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2509586\/revisions\/2509591"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2509587"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2509586"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2509586"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2509586"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}