The last session of the House Select Committee looking into the events of January 6, 2021, is taking place just before the midterm elections. The panel will have one more chance during the discussion to emphasise the fact that former President Donald Trump is still harmful to democracy.

Rep. Elaine Luria tweeted, “I took an oath at 17 years old to protect and defend the Constitution from all enemies, foreign and domestic. As a 20-year Navy veteran, I will continue to live up to that solemn oath at today’s @January6thCmte hearing.”

Who is Elaine Luria?

Elaine Luria is a US Navy veteran serving as the representative from Virginia’s 2nd congressional district in the United States House of Representatives since 2019.

Before running for Congress, Luria served as a Naval officer for 20 years. She rose to the rank of commander and spent most of her career aboard ship. 

Luria was born on August 15, 1975, in Birmingham, Alabama. Her mother Michelle’s family immigrated to Jasper, Alabama, in 1906. The family sold goods to coal miners in Walker County, Alabama.

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She graduated from Indian Springs School in 1993 and later went to the United States Naval Academy in 1997 for a Bachelor of Science (BS) with a double major in physics and history, and a minor in French.

In 2000, Luria attended the United States Naval Nuclear Power School. While serving in the Navy and stationed aboard the flagship USS Blue Ridge, she earned a Master of Science (MS) degree in engineering management from Old Dominion University in 2004.

In 2018, she ran for the United States House of Representatives in Virginia’s 2nd congressional district. She defeated Republican incumbent Scott Taylor.

She was one of 102 female members elected to the United States House of Representatives in 2018, which is a record number. She joined two other female veterans in that class, fellow Naval Academy graduate Mikie Sherrill and former Air Force officer Chrissy Houlahan.

Later, she took on Taylor in a rematch to win a second term in 2020. Luria is running for reelection in 2022.

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Luria’s congressional district includes most of Hampton Roads, including all of Virginia Beach, Williamsburg, and Poquoson and parts of Norfolk and Hampton. 

The 46-year-old’s husband, Robert Blondin, is also a retired Naval commander and spent 27 years in the service. She has two stepchildren and a daughter born in 2009.

Luria attends the Ohef Sholom Temple, a Reform Jewish synagogue in Norfolk.