Republican Rep. Anna Paulina Luna of Florida’s 13th Congressional District was declared the winner of her reelection race on November 5, securing a second term in the U.S. House of Representatives. Luna won with 49.48% of the vote, defeating Democratic challenger Leela Gray, who received 48.68%. A third candidate, Tony D’Arrigo, garnered 5,779 votes, according to unofficial results from the Florida Secretary of State’s Office.
On November 7, Luna announced her intention to reject all corporate PAC money and funding from special interest groups tied to foreign policy, framing the move as a commitment to political independence. In a video posted to X (formerly Twitter), she stated, “I want my constituency to understand when I’m either talking on these things or advocating for them in Washington, that I am controlled by no one, influenced by no one.”
Luna’s victory came after a narrow margin of 2,517 votes, reflecting broader challenges for Republicans in Florida, where the party won 17 of 24 House races but faced unexpected competition in several districts. The Associated Press called the race for Luna on election night, though four other Florida House races remained uncalled as of publication.
Luna’s Policy Stance and Committee Role
Luna, a former U.S. Air Force member serving her second term, sits on the House Foreign Affairs Committee and has emphasized her focus on Middle East peace efforts and U.S. policy toward Israel. Her announcement rejecting foreign-linked PAC funds aligns with her stated goal of avoiding perceived conflicts of interest in foreign policy advocacy.
During the campaign, Luna’s opponent Leela Gray criticized her opponent’s votes on war powers restrictions, arguing that Luna had supported policies prolonging conflicts. Gray, a veteran, highlighted the economic impact of fuel export restrictions stemming from regional conflicts, stating in an October post, “Despite the obvious and disastrous consequences of the war, Luna voted to continue it six times.”
Florida’s Broader Election Landscape
Republicans maintained control of Florida’s congressional delegation, with 20 GOP members and 7 Democrats representing the state in the House. Four races remained too close to call as of November 7, including contests in Florida’s 7th, 9th, 26th, and 27th Congressional Districts.
Luna’s reelection and her pledge to eschew foreign-linked funding reflect ongoing debates about campaign finance transparency and the influence of pro-Israel political spending in U.S. elections. The outcome underscores the narrow margins that can shape legislative priorities in the 120th Congress.