Elaine Luria Archives - The Virginia Star

Three General Assembly Special Elections for Tuesday

January 10, 2023January 9, 2023 Eric Burk

Senate District Seven voters are voting Tuesday to fill the vacancy left now that Jen Kiggans is representing the region in Congress; while the SD 7 race is the most competitive on Tuesday, there are also elections in House Districts 35 and 24.

In SD7, Republican Kevin Adams, a Navy veteran, is running against Democrat Aaron Rouse, former Virginia Beach City councilman and a former NFL player. Senate Democrats see the special election as a chance to expand their narrow 21-seat majority, which leaves them vulnerable to tie-breaking votes from Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears. For Republicans, keeping a Republican in the seat is important if they hope to see even minor changes on issues like education and abortion.

Cook Political Report Changes VA-07 to Toss-Up

April 21, 2022April 20, 2022 Eric Burk

The Cook Political Report has moved Virginia’s seventh congressional district, currently held by Representative Abigail Spanberger (D), from Lean D to Toss Up, expanding the number of Democrat-held seats that are Toss Up or favor Republicans. That list already included VA-02, held by Representative Elaine Luria (D). Republicans also hope to win VA-10, occupied by Representative Jennifer Wexton (D); Cook rates that race among 155 Solid Democrat seats.

Former Prince William County GOP Committee vice chairman Willie Deutsch said both VA-10 and VA-07 outcomes depend on President Joe Biden’s approval rating in November.

Virginia Supreme Court Approves Final Congressional and Legislative Districts

December 30, 2021December 29, 2021 Cooper Moran

The Virginia Supreme Court on Tuesday approved the final version of congressional and legislative maps that will enact political boundaries for the next decade.

The process allowed for the judicial branch to determine the districts after the Virginia Redistricting Commission failed to produce any maps.

Virginia Congressional Leaders React to Ongoing Afghanistan Crisis

August 17, 2021August 17, 2021 Matthew Hall

President Biden addressed the nation late Monday afternoon to discuss the ongoing national security and humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan. Some congressional leaders were furious at the Biden Administration’s lack of leadership on the issue. Congressman Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ-02), a former Democrat who switched parties in 2020, lashed out and called for the resignation of President Biden, Vice President Harris, and Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) hinted Monday that the Cabinet should consider invoking the 25th Amendment to remove President Biden.

Biden Budget Proposal Includes $83.7 Million for Norfolk Harbor Widening and Deepening Project

June 8, 2021June 7, 2021 Eric Burk

Virginia’s Chesapeake Bay-area U.S. representatives and senators are highlighting $83.7 million for the Norfolk Harbor widening and deepening project in President Biden’s recently unveiled $6 trillion budget proposal. The budget provision is a response to a letter Virginia’s congressional and senate delegation sent to Biden in March requesting the funds.

Virginia Politicians Call for Action to Make Sure Unemployment Benefits Don’t Keep People from Getting Jobs

May 28, 2021May 27, 2021 Eric Burk

Virginia politicians are calling on Governor Ralph Northam to take steps to make sure unemployment benefits aren’t preventing potential employees from returning to work. Senate Republicans want to use American Recovery Plan funds to create “Back-to-Work” bonuses to incentivize current unemployment recipients to re-enter the workforce. Congresswoman Elaine Luria (D-Virginia-02) is calling for better enforcement of unemployment benefit eligibility rules.

Virginia Congressional Delegation Asks Navy to Keep Ships Homeported in Hampton Roads

May 25, 2021May 24, 2021 Eric Burk

Virginia’s congressional delegation, led by Congressman Rob Wittman (R-Virginia-01), is warning the Navy not to forget the East Coast and Norfolk Naval Shipyard as international military and commercial dynamics draw attention to China and Russia.

“As we pivot towards the Indo-Pacific in our global force posture, it comes as no surprise that we’ve bolstered our presence on our Western Seaboard through increases in homeported ships. This increased presence is of such magnitude that San Diego has eclipsed Norfolk in the sheer number of homeported ships,” the delegation wrote in a letter to Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Michael Gilday.

Incumbent Democrat Rep. Elaine Luria Defends Seat Against Republican Scott Taylor

November 4, 2020November 4, 2020 Corinne Murdock

Incumbent Elaine Luria (D-VA-02) retained her seat in a battle against Republican candidate Scott Taylor that was similar to 2018.

In the first hour after polls closed, Taylor started out with a 23 point lead in the 17 percent of votes reported. From there on out, Taylor’s lead dwindled. Two hours after polls closed, Taylor was up by 18 points with 36 percent of the votes reported. An hour later, Taylor dropped to lead Luria by 10 points with 48 percent of votes. By 1 in the morning, Luria made her first gain ahead of Taylor, leading by 3 points with 85 percent of the vote.

Hundreds of ‘Adorable Deplorables, Chumps, and Uglies’ Show Up to Virginia Beach Trump Rally

November 2, 2020November 1, 2020 Corinne Murdock

Well over 200 people showed up on a rainy, gray Sunday to a Trump Rally supporting their Republican candidates: Scott Taylor for Congress and Daniel Gade for Senate. The rally took place inside the Military Aviation Museum in Virginia Beach.

Virginia Beach attorney Tim Anderson hosted the rally, with The Star editor-in-chief and Trump Virginia Delegation Chairman John Fredericks emceeing.

Virginia’s Second District Candidate Scott Taylor Talks Debate with Opponent Luria and Her Backfiring Smear Ads

October 24, 2020October 23, 2020 Julie Carr

Friday morning on The John Fredericks Show, host John Fredricks welcomed Virginia House of Delegates candidate Scott Taylor to the show to discuss his debate with incumbent Elaine Luria and her pattern of dishonesty.

Candidate for Congress in Virginia’s Second District Scott Taylor Talks About His Opponent Luria’s Absence and Unaccountability

October 15, 2020October 14, 2020 Julie Carr

Wednesday morning on The John Fredericks Show, host Fredricks welcomed Virginia congressional candidate Scott Taylor to the show to discuss his campaign’s upcoming events and his invisible opponent Elaine Luria.

Never-Trump PAC Gave $2 Million to Biden in Virginia

October 8, 2020October 8, 2020 Eric Burk

Anti-Trump conservative political action committee Defending Democracy Together (DDT) has given over $2 million to the Biden campaign in Virginia, placing them second-highest on a list of outside spending in Virginia.

“They’re just another bunch of loser never-Republicans frozen out of the greatest movement in America,” said Trump Virginia Delegation Chairman John Fredericks. “They want their old Republican party back.”

Virginia Second Congressional District Candidate Scott Taylor Talks About His Current Race and How Virginia Is in Play for Trump

September 25, 2020September 24, 2020 Julie Carr

Thursday morning on The John Fredericks Show, host Fredericks welcomed Scott Taylor to the show to discuss how Virginia is in play and the binary choice exists between Biden and Trump.

Virginia Republican House Candidate Scott Taylor Talks About His Campaign and How He Sees Things Turning for Trump

August 25, 2020August 25, 2020 Julie Carr

Monday morning on The John Fredericks Show, host John Fredericks welcomed Republican Virginia House candidate Scott Taylor to the program to discuss what he saw on the campaign trail and the momentum for Trump.