Luria and Kiggans Clash Over Iran War Impact on Navy Families

Democrat Elaine Luria and Republican Jen Kiggans are competing for Virginia's 2nd Congressional District in a race that determines control of the House. The district contains the largest concentration of Navy families in the United States, a factor that shapes the campaign's focus on military service and economic costs.

The war with Iran has kept at least 15 Navy ships in the Middle East, with more vessels expected to deploy as the conflict continues. The USS Gerald R. Ford recently returned to Norfolk after setting a record for the longest carrier deployment. Another ship, the USS San Antonio, arrived home after two deployments that totaled over a year.

Rena Ritter waited on the pier in Norfolk for her husband, Isaiah Wells, and their baby daughter. Ritter said the lengthy time at sea has strained the crew's mental health. She described days when her husband, an engineer, did not eat or sleep while preparing the ship for its return.

Terraza Brooks, whose son serves on one of the deployed ships, spoke at the Black Food Festival in Virginia Beach. She noted that her son missed his brother's graduation and his younger brother's prom. Brooks said she and her retired Navy husband will vote based on the war's effect on gas prices and the general cost of living rather than solely on their son's deployment.

Luria, a retired Navy officer, criticized the Republican side for failing to ask difficult questions about the war. She said there is a lack of oversight and an attempt to hold military and civilian leadership accountable for the readiness of the forces.

Kiggans, a nurse practitioner and former Navy pilot, addressed supply shortages on ships in the Middle East. She stated that the administration is doing the best it can with available resources while noting that supply chains in conflict zones can be difficult. Her staff cut short a follow-up question regarding how the war impacts her campaign.

According to the nonpartisan Virginia Public Access Project, roughly $20 million has been spent in the general election, split evenly between the two candidates. Sarah Streyder of the Secure Families Initiative reported that many military families are still waiting for their absentee ballots to arrive. With less than a week until the election, Streyder advised voters to keep following up on their mail.