For Immediate Release: June 12, 2018
Contact: [email protected]
In a victory for Virginia women’s reproductive rights, NARAL Pro-Choice America congratulated pro-choice champions Elaine Luria, for winning her primary in Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District, and Abigail Spanberger for winning her primary in Virginia’s 7th Congressional District.
“When candidates proudly stand up for reproductive rights, they win. That was true in Virginia tonight, where NARAL endorsed candidates Elaine Luria and Abigail Spanberger advanced to the general election,” said NARAL Pro-Choice America Political Director Nicole Brener-Schmitz. “We know that these women will be strong voices for women and families in Virginia and we look forward to ensuring that they and other pro-choice champions win on November 6th.”
Elaine Luria, a former Surface Warfare Officer in the Navy, has built her life around public service. After 20 years in the Navy, Luria started a small business that is dedicated to charity that supports youth and the arts. Her experience as a veteran and a mother make her well-equipped to represent this district and fight for the freedom of her constituents to choose when to start a family. Luria understands the importance of access to healthcare, specifically reproductive healthcare and will be a advocate as a member of Congress.
Abigail Spanberger began her public service career as a federal agent with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. In 2006, she transitioned to the CIA where as an operations officer she led covert actions that thwarted the terrorist threat and provided valuable intelligence toward critical national security matters. After returning home to Virginia’s 7th district in 2014, she went on to work in the private sector as a strategic leader helping colleges and universities diversify their student bodies, increase graduation rates, and expand students’ access to affordable educational opportunities. Spanberger believes in leadership that flows from our shared American values of integrity, responsibility, and decency, and she wants to work to move this country forward together.
NARAL’s political program for the 2018 general election is the organization’s largest ever midterm political program to advance candidates fighting for “our values, our future, our vote.” NARAL is investing in diverse candidates up and down the ballot in 19 states, mobilizing members and voters through mail, phones, digital ads, door to door canvassing, TV ads, and rallies that hold anti-choice candidates accountable and lift up pro-choice champions. To read more about NARAL’s endorsed candidates, click here.