Elaine Luria facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Elaine Luria
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| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Virginia's 2nd district |
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| In office January 3, 2019 – January 3, 2023 |
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| Preceded by | Scott Taylor |
| Succeeded by | Jen Kiggans |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Elaine Goodman Luria
August 15, 1975 Birmingham, Alabama, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse |
Robert Blondin
(m. 2005) |
| Children | 1 |
| Education | United States Naval Academy (BS) Old Dominion University (MS) |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service | United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1997–2017 |
| Rank | Commander |
| Commands | Assault Craft Unit TWO |
Elaine Luria (born August 15, 1975) is an American politician and a veteran of the United States Navy. She served as a U.S. representative for Virginia's 2nd district from 2019 to 2023. This district covers a large area in Hampton Roads, including Virginia Beach, Williamsburg, and Poquoson. Before becoming a politician, Luria was a naval officer for 20 years. She reached the rank of Commander and spent most of her time serving on ships. She won elections in 2018 and 2020, but lost her bid for a third term in 2022.
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Elaine Luria was born on August 15, 1975, in Birmingham, Alabama. Her family has a long history in Alabama. She graduated from Indian Springs School in 1993.
After high school, Luria attended the United States Naval Academy. She graduated in 1997 with a degree in physics and history. In 2000, she went to the Nuclear Power School for the Navy. While serving in the Navy, she also earned a master's degree in engineering management from Old Dominion University in 2004.
Luria served as a naval officer for two decades. She worked as an engineer, managing nuclear reactors on ships. She was one of the first American women sailors to spend her entire career on combat ships. From 2014 until she retired in 2017, she was in charge of Assault Craft Unit TWO. This unit had 400 sailors ready for combat. When she retired, Luria had served longer on active duty than any other member of the House Democratic Caucus at that time.
Serving in the U.S. House of Representatives
Elaine Luria was a member of the United States House of Representatives, which is part of the U.S. Congress.
Winning Elections for Congress
2018 Election
In 2018, Luria decided to run for Congress in Virginia's 2nd district. She won the Democratic primary election with 62% of the votes. In the main election, she beat the Republican who was already in office, Scott Taylor. Luria won with 51% of the votes. She won in most of the areas in her district, including Virginia Beach, which was Taylor's hometown.
2020 Election
Luria ran for reelection in 2020. She again faced Scott Taylor and won the election with 52% of the votes. She continued to win in many of the same areas as in 2018. This election was also when Joe Biden won the district, which helped Luria.
2022 Election
In 2022, Luria ran for reelection for a third time. It was a tough election for Democrats in her district. She focused her campaign on defense policies. However, she lost the election to Republican Jen Kiggans.
Time in Office
Luria officially started her term in Congress on January 3, 2019. She was one of 102 women elected to the House of Representatives in 2018, which was a record number. She joined two other women veterans in Congress.
Virginia's 2nd congressional district is mainly around Hampton Roads. It includes cities like Poquoson, Virginia Beach, and Williamsburg. It also includes parts of Norfolk and Hampton.
In 2019, Luria announced her support for an investigation into President Donald Trump. She said this was an "unusual move" for a moderate politician. During Trump's time as president, Luria voted with his ideas about 11% of the time. When Joe Biden became president, she voted with his ideas about 98% of the time.
Investigating the January 6 Capitol Attack
Luria was chosen to be one of the members of the Select Committee to Investigate the January 6 Attack on the United States Capitol in 2021. This committee looked into what happened during the attack on the U.S. Capitol building.
In July 2022, Luria helped lead one of the public hearings for the committee. This hearing focused on what President Trump did (or didn't do) during the 187 minutes of the attack. Luria showed videos of Trump's speeches and comments. She said that Trump's actions during that time were part of his plan to stay in power.
Luria also shared the original script of Trump's speech after the attack. She showed how he had removed parts that condemned the violence.
What Elaine Luria Believed In
Defense Policy
Luria was the only Democrat to vote against ending a law from 2002 that allowed military force against Iraq.
Helping Veterans
In 2019, Luria introduced a bill to increase payments for veterans. This bill received support from both political parties and became law in September 2019.
Foreign Policy
Luria strongly supported the relationship between the U.S. and Israel.
Immigration
In 2019, Luria was one of 60 Democrats in the House who supported having some kind of physical barrier at the border.
Impeachment of President Trump
In September 2019, Luria called for an investigation into President Trump. She said he tried to get help from a foreign leader to influence the next election. In October 2019, Luria formally voted to investigate Trump. She later voted to impeach him on two charges: abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.
Environment
Luria believes in the scientific understanding of climate change. She is concerned about how climate change affects global stability and military readiness.
Gun Policy
Luria supports laws that allow temporary removal of guns from people who might be a danger to themselves or others (called red flag laws). She also supports universal background checks for all gun purchases. In 2022, she voted for a ban on certain types of assault weapons.
Campaign Donations
In her 2018 campaign, Luria promised not to accept money from corporate political action committees (PACs). However, in 2020, she did accept money from some corporate PACs.
Committees and Groups
While in Congress, Luria was part of several important committees:
- Committee on Armed Services (she was a vice chair)
- Committee on Veterans' Affairs (she was the chair of one of its subcommittees)
- Committee on Homeland Security
- Select Committee on the January 6 Attack
She was also a member of groups like the New Democrat Coalition and the Problem Solvers Caucus.
After Congress
In February 2023, after leaving Congress, Luria started a new group called Defend Democracy PAC. This group aims to help elect Democrats to the Virginia General Assembly.
Personal Life
Elaine Luria is married to Robert Blondin, who is also a retired naval commander. They have one daughter together, born in 2009, and Luria has two stepchildren. The family lives in Norfolk. Luria attends a Reform Jewish synagogue in Norfolk.
See also
- Women in the United States House of Representatives
- List of Jewish members of the United States Congress
