DSA candidate loses to establishment Dem in Virginia’s 2nd district
After a tense campaign, Elaine Luria has comfortably beaten Nila Devanath, who has publicly called to abolish ICE.
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After a tense campaign, Elaine Luria has comfortably beaten Nila Devanath, who has publicly called to abolish ICE.
The Democratic Socialists of America suffered another setback Tuesday after establishment-backed former Representative Elaine Luria comfortably secured the Democratic nomination in Virginia's battleground 2nd Congressional District, defeating a field of challengers that included progressive candidate Nila Devanath.
Luria, a former Navy commander who represented the district from 2019 until her defeat in 2022, entered the race with the backing of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee's influential Red to Blue program and support from prominent Virginia Democratic leaders. Her victory now sets up a closely watched November rematch against Republican Rep. Jen Kiggans, who unseated her 52% to 48% four years ago.
The result marks another difficult night for the Democratic Party's socialist wing, which has repeatedly clashed with establishment figures over the party's direction heading into the 2026 midterms. To radically dismantle the American system, the DSA advocates for abolishing capitalism, private housing, the US Senate, and the Supreme Court, while simultaneously dismantling the military, leaving NATO, and completely eliminating all police and prisons. Devanath, who has publicly called to abolish ICE, joined an interstate coalition of Democratic U.S. House candidates opposing the DCCC's involvement in their primaries.
The coalition said in a statement: "Constituents deserve the opportunity to compare ideas, hear open debate, and decide for themselves who will represent them rather than being told who to vote for." Virginia's 2nd District, centered on the Hampton Roads region and home to a large military population, is regarded as one of the Democrats' top pickup opportunities as they seek to regain control of the House of Representatives.
Luria now prepares to face Kiggans, also a Navy veteran, in a race that could be pivotal to determine control of the next Congress.
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