VA-02, VA-07: For Luria and Spanberger, a Sanders nomination would complicate reelection

Rep. Elaine Luria (D-Va.) wasted no time in denouncing presidential candidate Bernie Sanders this week after he said he would skip the annual conference of the pro-Israel American Israel Public Affairs Committee.

“Senator Sanders’ comments only contribute to the divisive rhetoric often used when discussing the issue of Israel’s right to exist,” Luria said in a statement Tuesday that rocketed around social media.

Her swift reaction was an example of the tactics she and other centrist Democrats may use to try to steer clear of the senator from Vermont, an avowed democratic socialist, if he wins their party’s presidential nomination.

Analysts say Sanders could endanger down-ballot incumbents, especially moderates such as Luria, a Navy veteran who ousted a Republican in a swing district in 2018 and helped Democrats win control of the House.

Already, GOP candidates and groups targeting the once deep-red Virginia districts held by Luria, Rep. Abigail Spanberger and Rep. Jennifer Wexton have tried to link the freshman lawmakers to Sanders and others in the party’s left flank. Luria, who has endorsed former vice president Joe Biden, won’t risk being painted as a Sanders acolyte — especially when it comes to one of her signature issues: Israel.

“I’ll say this: I want Joe Biden or another person who I see as a reasonable moderate, who is going to build bridges rather than break them down,” she said in an interview Monday.



https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/virginia-politics/for-luria-and-spanberger-a-sanders-nomination-would-complicate-reelection/2020/02/25/9594fd7c-57e5-11ea-9b35-def5a027d470_story.html