Inside the Plot to Oust ‘Pro-Russia’ Rep. Anna Paulina Luna
Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna Gears Up for 2026 Re-Election: What You Need to Know
The Big Picture
Florida Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna is getting ready to run for her third term in Congress. Think of this like a student preparing for a big test — but instead of studying, she’s raising money and talking to voters.
Right now, she’s in a strong position. Here’s why:
IMPORTANT POINT
Luna has $1.45 million in her campaign bank account after raising $690,000 in just three months (April–June). That’s a lot of money for a House race! Her district also leans Republican thanks to new maps drawn in 2022.
Who Is Anna Paulina Luna?
Before politics, Luna worked as a cocktail waitress and swimsuit model. She was elected to Congress in 2022, representing Florida’s 13th Congressional District — an area near Tampa Bay that includes MacDill Air Force Base.
Since arriving in Washington, she’s become known for one big thing: strongly opposing U.S. military aid to Ukraine.
The Money Race: Luna vs. The Democrats
| Candidate | Party | Cash on Hand (End of June) |
|---|---|---|
| Anna Paulina Luna | Republican | $1.45 million |
| Leela Gray (leading Dem) | Democrat | $750,000 |
| John Liccione | Democrat | Not reported |
| Brandt Robinson | Democrat | Not reported |
Democrats pick their nominee on August 18. Retired Army Brigadier General Leela Gray is the frontrunner. She has military experience — which matters in a district with an Air Force base.
Why This Race Matters: The Ukraine Issue
Luna is one of Congress’s loudest voices against helping Ukraine. Here’s what she’s done:
Luna’s Record on Ukraine
- Voted NO on the 2024 Ukraine Support Act
- Co-sponsored the "Ukraine Fatigue Resolution" — calling to end all U.S. military and financial aid to Ukraine
- Hosted Russian lawmakers in Washington
- Received flowers and chocolates with Putin quotes from Kirill Dmitriev (head of Russia’s sovereign wealth fund, close to Putin)
IMPORTANT POINT
Scott Bessent (Trump’s Treasury Secretary) called Dmitriev a "Russian propagandist" on CBS News.
What Critics Say
Several experts and constituents are worried:
- Igor L. Markov (American Coalition for Ukraine): Luna echoes Kremlin narratives — like claiming Christians are persecuted in Ukraine
- Yuriy Tymoshenko (constituent): Luna refused to meet Ukrainian community members for 4+ years but attended a St. Petersburg Winter Ball hosted by a Russian heritage group
- Steven Moore (former GOP staffer): Russia sends weapons to Iran (used against U.S. troops) — Luna hasn’t addressed this
IMPORTANT POINT
Luna’s staff frames her position as "consistently for peace with Russians." Her legislative director allegedly told a constituent that JFK was assassinated because he pursued peace with Russia — a claim with no historical evidence.
What Local Voters Care About
While Luna focuses on Russia/Ukraine, many voters want her focused on home:
Top Local Concerns
- Cost of living (housing, groceries, insurance)
- Beach renourishment (preventing erosion)
- Veterans’ issues (MacDill AFB is nearby)
- Infrastructure and traffic
What Voters Are Saying
"She doesn’t seem to care much about what’s going on here locally. She seems to focus on things that aren’t particularly relevant to us."
— Garry Miracle, Vietnam-era veteran & district resident"Many independents have had enough of Anna Paulina Luna."
— Rob Siberski, retired government security professional
Luna’s Defense: What Her Supporters Say
Her team and local GOP officials push back. They point to:
Beach renourishment funding
Veterans’ legislation
District constituent services
Standing up to "woke" policies
They argue she delivers for the district — and her foreign policy views reflect her voters.
The Political Landscape: By the Numbers
District Makeup (After 2022 Redistricting)
- Drawn by Gov. Ron DeSantis — shifted district to the right
- Republican-leaning — helped Luna win in 2022
- MacDill Air Force Base = many military families
National Context
- Bipartisan support for Ukraine remains strong (per recent polling)
- Most Republicans — including voters — view Putin negatively
- But many follow Trump’s lead on foreign policy
The Central Question
Can Luna’s money + Republican district outweigh voter frustration over her focus on foreign policy instead of local kitchen-table issues?
That’s what will decide this race.
Step-by-Step: What Happens Next?
- August 18, 2026 — Democratic primary (Gray vs. Liccione vs. Robinson)
- Fall 2026 — General election: Luna vs. Democratic nominee
- November 2026 — Voters decide
- January 2027 — Winner sworn in for 2-year term
Summary
- Luna enters 2026 strong: Big money ($1.45M), red district, incumbent advantage
- Her signature issue: Opposing Ukraine aid — controversial, even called "Kremlin talking points" by critics
- Local frustration: Some voters (including independents & veterans) want focus on cost of living, beaches, veterans
- Democratic challenger: Leela Gray (retired general, $750K) — military cred in military district
- Big picture: Race tests whether foreign policy purity beats local delivery in a Trump-era GOP district
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
Why does a Florida House race matter for Ukraine policy?
A: Luna is one of the loudest anti-Ukraine-aid voices in Congress. If she loses, that voice disappears. If she wins, she keeps amplifying that message.
What is "gerrymandering" and how does it affect this race?
A: Gerrymandering = drawing district maps to favor one party. In 2022, Florida’s GOP-led legislature (backed by DeSantis) redrew CD-13 to be more Republican. That helped Luna win — and helps her now.
Who is Kirill Dmitriev and why does it matter he gave Luna gifts?
A: He runs Russia’s sovereign wealth fund, is close to Putin, and was called a "Russian propagandist" by Trump’s own Treasury Secretary. Gifts from him to a U.S. lawmaker raise ethics and influence concerns.
Do most Republicans actually oppose Ukraine aid?
A: No. Polls show most Republican voters support aid to Ukraine — they just also tend to follow Trump’s lead. Luna is more anti-Ukraine than the average GOP voter.
What’s the "Ukraine Fatigue Resolution"?
A: A 2023 House resolution (co-sponsored by Luna) calling on the U.S. to completely stop military and financial aid to Ukraine. It didn’t pass — but it signaled where she stands.
This article is based on reporting from Florida Politics, Kyiv Post, The Hill, Time, and public congressional records. All financial figures are from Q2 2026 campaign filings.