Former Virginia congresswoman buys second Norfolk home despite district-move pledge
Elaine Luria, who promised to relocate to Virginia’s 2nd District after redistricting, has purchased another house in Norfolk, keeping her residence outside the district she seeks to represent in 2026.
Former Democratic Rep. Elaine Luria, who lost her seat in 2022, is running again for Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District in 2026 after redistricting moved her primary residence into the 3rd District. Despite pledging in 2022 to relocate to Virginia Beach, Norfolk land records reveal she stayed in her original neighborhood and purchased a second four-bedroom brick home in 2024 for $777,000, located only a house number away from her existing stucco house, which recently underwent a $200,000 expansion.
Her husband, retired Navy commander Robert Blondin, continues to list the Norfolk address on Federal Election Commission contribution forms. The Luria campaign claims the 2021 court-appointed redistricting map deliberately pushed her out of the 2nd District, while opponents point to her continued residence in the Democratic-leaning 3rd District. The race will be a rematch against Republican Jen Kiggans, with the district now considered a toss-up. Luria’s business holdings, including the Luria Company LLC and the Mermaid Factory retail shops, were also noted in recent financial disclosures.
Why it matters
Voters need to know if a candidate truly resides in the district they aim to represent.
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