In early January, a robo-call in Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District fromt the State Conservative Reform Action PAC (SCRAPAC) told voters that Democrat Elaine Luria, who is challenging freshman Congressman Scott Taylor, voted in the Republican primary in 2016. There is cause for concern on part of progressives, considering they are campaigning on a wave of resistance and anti-Trump sentiment.
Luria has the blessing of the party elite in Washington. On Tuesday, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) announced that Luria was among 24 Democratic candidates to whom their organization would provide organizational and fundraising support through a program called “Red to Blue.” As many have seen, Democrats are running further and further left to distance themselves from the Republican majority in both houses of Congress and the Trump Administration.
However, there is one problem with Luria…actually, two problems.
She voted for Congressman Taylor…not once…twice. Primary election…general election.
Uh-Oh!
In a report from the Richmond Times-Dispatch, Luria’s campaign manager Kathryn Sorenson said, “Elaine doesn’t make decisions just based on political party…Faced with the options on the ballot, she took a chance on fellow veteran Scott Taylor who promised to bring change and be something different, but he broke his promise.”
Congressman Taylor‘s press secretary Scott Weldon responded to the charge in an email:
“Scott Taylor is the same guy he was in 2016 and has done everything he said he would on the campaign. The only reason Luria is running is because she was promised money by Nancy Pelosi to be another rubber stamp in D.C. The people of the 2nd district will see right through it.”
Luria is one of six Democrats in the primary seeking the nomination in Virginia Beach. Karen Mallard, a teacher who is campaigning as a union member to fight for a $15 minimum wage, seems quite unhappy about the announcement from the DCCC.
“I think the constituents should be the ones to pick their candidates, not the party,” Mallard said. “The people in the DCCC don’t live here,” she added.
So, what exactly do Democrats what? Do they want a Bernie-style Marxist candidate that bodes well with the progressive elite? Or, do they now want someone who supports building a strong economy, someone who is strong on national defense?
Luria’s campaign is built around phrases like, “…too many Americans are working hard and getting less,” and, “if you work hard and play by the rules, you expect that you and your family will have an opportunity to succeed.”
These sayings are great. One may have heard similar speak coming from the upper levels of Trump Tower in early 2016.
The MAGA is strong with this one.