Democrat leaders name Mermaid Factory owner as favorite to take on Rep. Scott Taylor

Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk, VA)

Feb. 20--Months before Democratic voters select their 2nd Congressional District nominee in a June primary, national party leaders are already choosing who they want to win.

Of the six Democrats seeking the nomination to run against Rep. Scott Taylor in November, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee announced Tuesday it has chosen Norfolk businesswoman Elaine Luria as their favored candidate.

Luria has been included in their "Red to Blue" program aimed an unseating GOP lawmakers. The program is part of the national party's push to unseat more than two dozen GOP incumbents in the hopes of gaining a majority in the House of Representatives.

Taylor, a former state legislator and Navy SEAL who was elected to Congress in 2016, is seen by Democrats as vulnerable because of his support for abolishing the Affordable Care Act and their general disdain for divisive Washington politics and President Donald Trump.

In February 2017 -- a month after Taylor took office and long before any Democrats announced their candidacies -- the national party moved a full-time operative to Hampton Roads and began a social media campaign against him.

Luria's special designation means the retired Naval officer and first-time candidate will get organizational and fundraising support from the national party that is not available to the other five Democrats on the June 12 ballot. It also brings her to the attention -- with the party's blessing -- of wealthy donors who can bolster her treasury.

Her Democratic competitors in the 2nd District, where Virginia Beach is the dominant locality, include Karen Mallard, a schoolteacher and Virginia Beach resident; David Nygaard, a jeweler in Virginia Beach; Garry Hubbard, a retired owner of a construction company; Ernest Porter, a Louisa resident; and Shaun Brown, a businesswoman who unsuccessfully ran against Taylor in 2016. Brown also is facing federal charges of fraud and theft related to the use federal funds intended to feed low-income children.

Luria, who announced her bid six weeks ago, acknowledged while campaigning in Norfolk that the DCCC's support is a boost: "It's definitely good news. I'm really honored."

The DCCC's news release stated Luria's designation "is not an endorsement" but points out it gives her and others in the program "organizational and fundraising support to help them continue to run strong campaigns."

DCCC chairman Ben Ray Luján, a New Mexico congressman, said in a statement that Luria has met party goals for "grassroots engagement, local support, campaign organization and fundraising."

Given her recent entry into the race, Luria has not been required to file campaign finance reports. She declined to offer details Monday.

"I can tell you we are putting together the type of campaign that can challenge the incumbent," she said.

Some other Democrats in the race -- none of whom were told of Luria's new status before the Tuesday morning announcement -- said Monday they anticipated a competitive race for the party nomination.

Nygaard, who has operated a jewelry business for decades and is a first-time candidate, predicted he will be able raise whatever is needed to operate a winning campaign.

Mallard, a reading specialist making her first bid for office, said she's been campaigning daily, including Sunday night's anti-gun violence rally in Town Center, where she addressed the crowd.

"I'm very confident. It's going very well," said Mallard, who reported having $12,424 in campaign funds as of Dec. 31 -- the most recent filing date.

By comparison, Taylor has accumulated $585,025, records show. The GOP incumbent also has June primary opponent: former James City County Board member Mary Jones.

The 2nd District includes all of Virginia Beach and the state's Eastern Shore as well as Norfolk's north side and several localities on the Peninsula, including Williamsburg and York County.

Luria is one of six congressional candidates singled out Tuesday for special attention by the party. The DCCC has identified 24 candidates around the country this year for the program. Several are competing in party primaries.

No other candidate in Virginia's other 10 House races have the same "Red to Blue" designation, including in the 10th District in northern Virginia where 10 Democrats are competing to take on Rep. Barbara Comstock, a Republican.

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