Trump Ally Anna Paulina Luna Wins Reelection in Florida Congressional Race

Republican Rep. Anna Paulina Luna has been projected to win reelection in Florida’s 13th Congressional District, securing another term in the U.S. House of Representatives and delivering an important victory for Republicans as the party battles to maintain control of Congress in Tuesday’s midterm elections.

Decision Desk HQ projected Luna as the winner shortly after polls closed Tuesday evening, allowing the Republican incumbent to retain her seat representing the Tampa Bay region.

Luna defeated Democratic challenger Leela Gray, who won her party’s nomination in August after receiving approximately 65% of the vote in a three-way primary. Independent candidate Tony D’Arrigo also appeared on the general election ballot.

The victory gives Luna, a prominent supporter of President Donald Trump and a member of the House Freedom Caucus, a third consecutive term in Congress. She was first elected in 2022, when she flipped a previously Democratic-held seat, and won reelection in 2024.

Luna, an Air Force veteran, has established herself as an outspoken conservative voice in Washington, particularly on immigration enforcement, government spending, congressional oversight, and support for Trump’s political agenda.

Her district, which includes portions of Pinellas County in the Tampa Bay area, has become increasingly favorable to Republicans in recent election cycles. Trump carried the district by approximately 13 percentage points in the 2024 presidential election, while Luna defeated Democratic challenger Whitney Fox that year by roughly nine points.

Despite the district’s Republican lean, Democrats had hoped that a favorable national political environment could make the race competitive. The Cook Political Report classified the contest as leaning Republican rather than safely Republican, reflecting the possibility of a closer race.

Gray campaigned as an alternative to Luna’s conservative approach, seeking to attract voters dissatisfied with Republican policies and the direction of the federal government.

Luna’s victory comes as both parties closely monitor congressional races across the country, with control of the House potentially hinging on relatively small numbers of competitive districts.

For Republicans, retaining seats such as Florida’s 13th District is an important part of their strategy to preserve their congressional majority and maintain support for President Trump’s legislative priorities during the final two years of his term.

Luna will begin her third term in January 2027, continuing her role as one of the more outspoken members of the House Republican conference.