Anna Paulina Luna: Air Force Veteran Turned Florida Congresswoman

Who is Anna Paulina Luna?

Anna Paulina Luna is an American politician and member of the Republican Party who serves as the U.S. Representative for Florida's 13th congressional district. She first joined Congress on January 3, 2021 after defeating Democrat Eric Lynn in the 2020 elections.

Luna was born in Michigan in 1982 and grew up in a military family. She served in the United States Air Force before pursuing a career in politics. Luna's district includes southern Pinellas County, including St. Petersburg and parts of western Hillsborough County.

Early Life and Education

Anna Paulina Luna was born on April 16, 1982 in Detroit, Michigan. Her father served in the U.S. Army and her family moved frequently due to his military service. She lived in places like Germany, Kansas, Texas, and Florida growing up.

In 2001, Luna enrolled at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville where she studied political science and communication. She graduated in 2005 with a bachelor's degree. Shortly after graduating, Luna joined the U.S. Air Force as an enlisted airman.

Military Service

Luna served in the U.S. Air Force from 2005 to 2009. She was trained as a radio broadcaster and journalist. During her service, she hosted and produced her own radio show called "The Satellite" which aired on American Forces Network. The show focused on issues affecting enlisted airmen.

Luna was deployed to bases in Japan and Korea where she continued her broadcasting duties. She provided news and entertainment to boost the morale of fellow airmen. Luna earned the Air Force Achievement Medal for her radio show contributions before being honorably discharged in 2009 with the rank of Airman First Class.

Entry into Politics

After leaving the Air Force, Luna worked in sales and as a small business owner. She also co-founded a nonprofit organization called Operation Return to Freedom which helped veterans transition back to civilian life.

Luna first ran for Florida's 13th congressional district in 2020, finishing second in a crowded Republican primary field. She went on to win the primary runoff election against Amanda Makki, setting up a general election contest against Democrat Eric Lynn.

Luna's congressional campaign focused on supporting veterans, reforming the VA, strengthening the military, countering socialism, protecting the unborn, and safeguarding the 2nd Amendment. She branded herself as a political outsider and rallied GOP support with her direct attacks on the Democratic agenda.

Congressional Election

The race between Luna and Lynn in Florida's 13th district was viewed as highly competitive. The district has flipped between Democratic and Republican control in recent cycles. Luna campaigned extensively on meeting with constituents and listening to their concerns.

With the support of former President Donald Trump, Luna defeated Lynn by 6 percentage points in the November 2020 election. Her victory returned the House seat to Republican control after Democrat Charlie Crist had held it from 2017 to 2019.

In Congress

Anna Paulina Luna was sworn in as a member of the 117th Congress on January 3, 2021. She is currently serving her first term representing Florida's 13th congressional district.

Luna sits on the House Committee on Homeland Security and the House Committee on Small Business. She is just one of a handful of Hispanic Republican women in Congress.

As a congresswoman, Luna has supported increased border security measures, veterans affairs reform, and lowering taxes and regulations on small businesses. She has opposed calls to defund the police and policies like the Green New Deal and Medicare for All.

True to her campaign promises, Luna has tried to make herself highly accessible to constituents through town halls, public events, and responding to calls/messages. She continues to position herself as an outsider who will bring reform to Washington.

Political Positions

Anna Paulina Luna is a staunch conservative who fully supports the Republican Party's platform. Some of her main political positions include:

• Pro-life on abortion - believes in protecting the unborn
• Strong supporter of the 2nd Amendment right to bear arms
• Wants to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act
• Supports tax cuts and deregulation to grow the economy
• Advocate for veterans and VA healthcare reform
• Favors increased military spending and border security
• Critic of socialism, cancel culture, and defunding the police
• Climate change skepticism and opposition to the Green New Deal

Luna has aligned herself closely with Donald Trump's populist brand of conservatism. She stands firmly behind the former president's "America First" agenda. Her future in the Republican Party will likely depend on retaining support from the pro-Trump base.

Personal Life

Anna Paulina Luna lives in St. Petersburg, Florida with her husband Andy and their dogs. She has been open about surviving sexual assault trauma as a child and now advocates for other survivors.

Luna co-founded a nonprofit called Families for Freedom that assists women escaping sex trafficking situations. Her advocacy originates from her own personal experiences with trauma and abuse.

In her free time, Luna enjoys fiction writing, listening to heavy metal music, and connecting with fellow veterans. She has used her platform in Congress to speak out about issues like mental health resources for veterans.

Anna Paulina Luna's Election Win

Anna Paulina Luna emerged victorious in her election bid for Florida's 13th congressional district in 2020. This was her first campaign for Congress after previously finishing as the runner-up in the Republican primary earlier that year.

The Primary Race

When longtime Republican Representative Bill Young retired from Congress in 2013, the 13th district flipped between Democratic and Republican control over several election cycles. The incumbent in 2020 was Democrat Charlie Crist, who was not seeking reelection.

Luna entered a crowded GOP primary field vying to replace Crist. Her opponents included Amanda Makki, George Buck, Sharon Newby, and Shelia Griffin. Makki and Buck quickly emerged as the frontrunners.

In the August 2020 primary, Buck received the most votes with 31.7%, followed by Luna at 23.6% and Makki at 23.3%. Since no candidate reached 50%, Luna and Makki advanced to a primary runoff in November.

The Primary Runoff

The head-to-head match between Luna and Makki proved to be a heated and close race. Both candidates sought to portray themselves as the more conservative option for district Republicans.

Luna touted her status as a political outsider and Air Force veteran. She branded Makki as the establishment candidate. Makki promoted her background as a former George W. Bush administration official and policy advisor.

Luna's outsider message resonated with many voters dissatisfied with career politicians. She also received the endorsement of Donald Trump, which further propelled her campaign. In the end, Luna edged out Makki by just 3 percentage points to win the runoff and the GOP nomination.

The General Election

Anna Paulina Luna next faced Democrat Eric Lynn in the November 2020 general election. Lynn was also a first time candidate who had served in the Department of Defense during the Obama administration.

The Luna-Lynn race was seen as very competitive, with predictions of a tight finish. Luna campaigned as a "fearless, tenacious, unapologetically conservative" candidate who would stand up for district residents.

She differentiated herself from Lynn by painting him as a socialist liberal who was too extreme. Luna's law and order platform resonated with many voters during a turbulent 2020 marked by protests and civil unrest.

Additionally, Luna's continued backing from Trump and concerted outreach to Hispanic voters helped her overcome Lynn's substantial fundraising advantage. On election day, Luna defeated Lynn by a margin of 52% to 44%.

Significance of Her Victory

Anna Paulina Luna's victory marked an impressive first-time win for a candidate who had never held elected office previously. In the course of a few months, she went from underdog to nominee to congresswoman-elect.

Luna's win illustrated the potency of Trump's endorsement in GOP primaries. It also demonstrated her effectiveness in positioning herself as the true conservative over more establishment-aligned candidates like Makki.

By flipping the 13th district seat back to Republican hands, Luna played a role in the GOP taking back a number of House seats in 2020. She campaigned extensively on changing the direction of Washington under Democratic control.

Finally, Luna's election makes her one of just a few Hispanic Republican women in the House. She has embraced this distinction as an opportunity to reshape perceptions of conservative leaders.

What's Next for Congresswoman Luna?

Now that she has achieved victory as a first time congressional candidate, many are wondering - what's next for Anna Paulina Luna on the political scene?

Building Her Base

Over the course of her first term, Luna will likely work to solidify her political base in Florida's 13th district. This means aggressively courting constituents and addressing local issues of importance.

Luna will need to balance the national conservative platform with initiatives that have direct relevance for voters in her district. Outreach to Hispanic residents will also be crucial going forward.

Advancing as a Freshman

In Congress, Luna will initially hold little institutional power as a freshman representative. However, she can try to get assigned to choice committees that align with her policy priorities and background.

For example, Luna will likely seek an appointment to the House Veterans' Affairs Committee given her advocacy for veterans issues. Serving on relevant committees allows even freshman members to engage more substantively in the legislative process.

Building a National Profile

While focusing on her district, Luna can also work to grow her visibility and reputation nationwide. Sometimes freshmen in Congress catch media attention for bold stances taken on bills or for dramatic exchanges during hearings.

Luna's compelling personal story as an Air Force veteran, sexual assault survivor, and political underdog gives her background material to potentially garner national interest.

Re-Election in 2022

After just getting elected to Congress, Luna will quickly have to gear up for her 2022 re-election bid. Incumbents often have the advantage, but she cannot take winning for granted.

Raising money, fending off primary challengers, and reconnecting with voters will dominate Luna's schedule next year. Winning convincingly would set her up well for the longer-term.

Future Leadership Roles?

If Luna wins re-election and builds clout in the House, she may start angling for Republican leadership positions down the road. Her trajectory could ultimately lead to ranking member or chair positions on major committees.

Luna's outspoken conservative views would help garner support from the GOP base for leadership roles. However, she would need to balance that with an ability to operate effectively in Congress long-term.

In summary, Luna's initial priority will be proving herself as an effective representative for her district. If she succeeds, she can then leverage that for greater influence and higher office over time.

FAQs

What is Anna Paulina Luna's background?

Luna grew up in a military family and served in the U.S. Air Force from 2005-2009. She later co-founded a nonprofit helping veterans before running for Congress in 2020.

How did Luna win election to Congress?

Luna won a competitive Republican primary runoff in 2020 with Trump's endorsement. She then defeated Democratic opponent Eric Lynn in the general election to flip her House district to GOP control.

What are some of Luna's policy positions?

Luna is staunchly pro-life, pro-Second Amendment, supports tax cuts and deregulation, wants to reform the VA, and is against policies like the Green New Deal.

What committees does Luna serve on?

Luna is a member of the House Homeland Security and House Small Business committees. As a freshman, she will seek assignments matching her background.

What's next for Congresswoman Luna's political career?

Luna will focus on building her constituent support, advancing in Congress as a newcomer, raising her national profile, and winning re-election in 2022.