I don’t buy the “both sidesism” in here, but overall this is a good list by former Rep. Elaine Luria (D-VA02), who is running to take back VA02 from the appallingly bad Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-VA02), who is a Trump bootlicker and pathological liar, among her other fine qualities. One item I’d add to the list: vote out of office literally EVERY SINGLE MEMBER OF CONGRESS who has gone along with Trump’s authoritarian power grab, illegal wars, insane levels of corruption, etc. In VA02, obviously, that means replacing Jen Kiggans with Elaine Luria…something voters can start to do in just a couple months, when early voting starts (on 9/18)!
Elaine Luria Releases Plan to Right the Ship in Washington, Fight Corruption, and Lower Costs for Working Families
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – Today, former small business owner, 20-year U.S. Navy veteran, and two-term member of Congress Rep. Elaine Luria released her plan to right the ship in Washington, focusing on fighting corruption and lowering costs for working families.
“In the Navy, when the mission isn’t going according to plan, you right the ship. Putting an end to the corruption in Washington starts with ending the influence of special interests in our political system and stopping the bad policies it leads to which drive up our costs. From gas to groceries, working families are being left behind by corrupt Jen Kiggans and Donald Trump and their failed policies,” Rep. Luria said. “I am running for Congress because I have fought for our country before, and I am ready to fight for it again in Washington.”
Elaine’s plan to Right the Ship:
Ban Members of Congress and Their Families from Trading Stocks While in Office
- Serving the American people is about putting others above oneself. No one should profit off of holding office–especially members of Congress who write our nation’s laws, regulate industry, and receive classified briefings that members of the public cannot access. I will support banning members of Congress and their families from trading individual stocks while holding office.
End the Blatant Prediction Market Insider Trading
- Members of Congress, congressional staff, executive branch employees, and political appointees should not use nonpublic information to buy, sell, or exchange prediction market contracts related to political outcomes or government policy. Public servants should never make money on the policies and decisions they help make and shape–especially those with access to classified or national security information.
If a Politician Steals from Taxpayers, they Face Mandatory Jail Time
- Members who steal taxpayer funds, including blatant tax evasion, should serve mandatory jail time and be expelled from Congress. No questions asked.
Reform Campaign Finance Laws and Get Dark Money out of Politics
- I was proud to support legislation to overturn the disastrous Citizens United decision when in Congress, and I will continue to fight for the For the People Act to restore fairness and power back to the people.
End the Broken Pardon System to Ensure Equal Justice for All
- Politicians from both parties have abused the pardon system to reward their families and wealthy and well-connected donors with political favors. It’s true when then President Joe Biden pardoned his son Hunter and it’s true when President Trump pardoned a Chinese cryptocurrency billionaire who was in prison for enabling money laundering. That’s unacceptable, and we must reform the current system so that those with money and connections don’t get special treatment.
Make Life More Affordable
- From gas and grocery prices to prescription drug costs, housing, and childcare, the rising cost of living continue to squeeze Virginians. I will address the cost of living crisis that Kiggans unleashed and lower prices for working families.
Lower the Cost of Health Care and Prescription Drugs
- No American should have to choose between the prescriptions they need and being able to afford rent or groceries. I will continue to build on the progress we made in Congress to strengthen the ACA, reinstate the ACA tax credits that helped lower costs for middle class families, expand access to health care, cut prescription drug prices, and ensure Medicaid and Medicare are properly funded.
Oppose Endless Wars that Raise Gas Prices and the Tariffs on Our Allies that Raise Costs on Americans
- Gas prices and the cost of everyday items are spiking to levels that have left middle class families struggling to fill their tanks and feed their families because of Jen Kiggans’ lockstep support for Donald Trump’s agenda. In Congress, I will serve as a check on Trump’s bad decisions that are costing our families, fight to repeal the tariffs, and reverse legislation and policy decisions that have increased energy costs.
Honor America’s Promise to our Veterans
- As a 20-year Navy veteran, there is nothing greater than fighting for and improving the lives of military families and veterans. In Congress, I will continue to fight for my fellow veterans to reverse the devastating DOGE cuts endorsed by Jen Kiggans that have gutted veterans’ care, work to cut red tape in the VA system, and ensure that our veterans get the care they need and deserve.
Strengthen our National Security and Care for our Military Families
- As a 20-year Navy veteran, I know how important it is to protect the homeland and ensure that our men and women in uniform have the resources and equipment they need to fight for and defend our freedoms. I will continue to fight to improve the quality of life for active duty military personnel and their families, ensure they have the resources they need to deter our adversaries and keep us safe, serve as a check against reckless foreign wars that put our service members at risk and cost American taxpayers, and strengthen our border security.
Protect Our Seniors
- Seniors who worked hard their entire lives and paid into Social Security and Medicare deserve to be secure in retirement with the peace of mind that their benefits will be there when they need them—without cuts. I will continue to advocate for strengthening Medicare and Social Security, stand firm against any efforts to gut seniors’ hard-earned benefits, and oppose cuts to these critical programs.
Fight for Reproductive Freedoms and Stand Up to Abortion Extremism
- In Congress, I voted to codify Roe v. Wade and enshrine the right to an abortion nationwide into law, protect the right to travel for abortion services, and ensure access to reproductive care without government interference. I will continue to advocate and fight for policies that enshrine the right to choose into federal law and ensure access to reproductive care to those who need it.
Last week, Rep. Luria released “Ready,” her first ad of 2026, highlighting her commitment to being ready to fight corruption in Washington and lower prices for working families. She also announced her campaign raised nearly $1.6 million in Q2 2026 and has more than $3.5 million cash on hand.
