Anna Paulina Luna was a recent transplant to the district, moving to Tampa Bay only in May 2019 before launching her campaign, which critics highlighted as a possible lack of local roots (Tampa Bay Times).
Opponents accused Luna of changing her name, newly registering as a Republican, and allegedly misrepresenting her political background, raising questions about authenticity (Floridian Press).
Luna's close alignment with pro-Trump factions and lack of establishment GOP leadership support created divisions within the local Republican base during the primary (Tampa Bay Times).
Despite high-profile endorsements and out-raising her Democratic opponent late in the election, Luna was unable to overcome Charlie Crist's name recognition and incumbency, ultimately losing by six points (Tampa Bay Times).
Criticism also emerged around Luna's resume, with some questioning her rapid ascent from political activism and media influence to a major congressional campaign (Florida Trend).
2019: Luna Expressed Her Main Issues As Fighting For Capitalism, Second Amendment, Environmental Protection, And Veterans According to Daily Wire, "Luna indicated that the issues she cares about the most are fighting for capitalism and against socialism, preserving the Second Amendment, taking care of the environment, and taking care of America's military veterans." [Daily Wire, 9/19/19]
Luna Articulated Republican Party Support For The U.S. Constitution To Young Voters According to Daily Wire, "The Republican party not only fights for our Constitution but we still use it as a guideline for most of the policies we support. [...] I use all my digital media platforms to share information on the political process and current events. I also travel around the country speaking to young men and women about my life experiences and how being a conservative has changed my life." [Daily Wire, 9/19/19]
2020: Anna Paulina Luna Expressed Commitment To A Long-Term Political Career According to Fox 13 News, "Win or lose, she says she's in politics for the long haul and hopes to inspire others, especially young women along the way." [Fox 13 News, 8/21/20]
2020: Anna Paulina Luna Chaired Hispanic Initiatives At PragerU And Worked At Turning Point USA According to Media Matters, "Luna, who is running for Congress in Florida's 13th Congressional District...is the chairperson of Hispanic Initiatives at PragerU and the former director of Hispanic engagement for Charlie Kirk's Turning Point USA." [Media Matters, 10/21/20]
2020: Anna Paulina Luna Was The GOP Nominee For Florida's 13th Congressional District According to Central Florida Post, "The 2020 GOP nominee for Florida's 13th congressional district, Anna Paulina Luna has accused longtime Trump confidante and veteran political strategist Roger Stone of trying to poison her." [Central Florida Post, 7/13/21]
Anna Paulina Luna Supported Capitalism, Free Speech, The Constitution, And God In Her 2020 Campaign According to RationalWiki, "It is known that she supported the following: Capitalism, Free speach, Constitution, God." [RationalWiki, 12/9/23]
Anna Paulina Luna Opposed Socialism, Communism, And Totalitarianism During Her 2020 Campaign According to RationalWiki, "And that she opposed the following: Socialism, Communism, Totalitarianism." [RationalWiki, 12/9/23]
2019: Luna Led Border Security Panel At 'We Build The Wall' Event. According to Tampa Bay Times, "More than a year before Anna Paulina Luna became the Republican nominee in Florida's 13th Congressional District, she led a panel discussion on border security at an event hosted by We Build The Wall, the nonprofit whose leaders were indicted last week on charges that they defrauded donors." [Tampa Bay Times, 8/25/20]
2019: Luna Attended Event As Bienvenido Vice President. According to Tampa Bay Times, "Luna attended the event for work as vice president of Bienvenido, which pushes conservatism within the Hispanic community and was invited by event organizers." [Tampa Bay Times, 8/25/20]
July 2019: Luna's Panel Featured Hispanic Border Security And Trump Activists. According to Tampa Bay Times, "Her panel, which featured Hispanic border security and Trump activists and touched on topics of human trafficking, social media, and spirituality, ran for about 30 minutes." [Tampa Bay Times, 8/25/20]
September 2019: Luna Announced Congressional Campaign Two Months After Panel. According to Tampa Bay Times, "Two months later, Luna announced her bid for Congress." [Tampa Bay Times, 8/25/20]
August 2020: Luna Rejected Defending 'We Build The Wall' Amid Indictment. According to Tampa Bay Times, "When asked Tuesday, Luna declined to defend We Build The Wall. 'We only know what we've read about the indictments,' Luna said in a statement. 'I of course vehemently reject anyone taking advantage of or scamming any group of people for any reason. If these allegations are in fact true, they should be held fully accountable under the law.'" [Tampa Bay Times, 8/25/20]
May 2019: Luna Moved To Tampa Bay Area According to Tampa Bay Times, "In May 2019, Luna said, she moved to the Tampa Bay area. She filed paperwork to run for Congress in Florida's 13th District on Sept. 4. Six days later, she became a Pinellas County voter, registering as Hispanic." [Tampa Bay Times, 10/6/20]
2020: Anna Paulina Luna Ran For Congress In Florida's 13th District As A Republican According to Tampa Bay Times, "This race was Luna's first bid for public office. The southern California native is a U.S. Air Force veteran and former swimsuit model who entered politics by working for conservative nonprofit Turning Point USA. She changed her name and moved to St. Petersburg from Washington state in 2019 ahead of her entrance into the race." [Tampa Bay Times, 10/13/20]
2020: Anna Paulina Luna Prioritized Veterans Issues In Congressional Campaign According to Tampa Bay Times, "Luna, 31, also ran on a platform prioritizing veterans issues." [Tampa Bay Times, 10/13/20]
Makki Accused Luna Of Misrepresenting Herself And Changing Party Affiliation According to Floridian Press, "So now, after changing her name, moving to Florida, and registering as a Republican for the first time, Luna is trying to sell Florida Republicans on her latest character," stated Makki before calling Luna 'just Crist in a skirt.' [Floridian Press, 10/1/21]
2020: Anna Paulina Luna Campaigned As An Outspoken Supporter Of President Trump Through Conservative Media According to Tampa Bay Times, "To reach out to District 13 Republicans, Luna has leaned on the conservative media network where she grew her social media brand as an outspoken supporter of the president." [Tampa Bay Times, 7/28/20]
October 2020: Anna Paulina Luna Criticized Democratic Party For Focus On Identity Politics According to Tampa Bay Times, "The congressional candidate spoke briefly before Trump Jr. took the stage and criticized the Democratic party for its focus on identity politics. 'They want America to stay divided,' Luna said." [Tampa Bay Times, 10/16/20]
2021: Luna Claimed Crossover Appeal To Diverse And Urban Voters According to Florida Politics, "She is using what sets her apart to her advantage --- she identifies with the traditional democratic base and urban communities in ways a lot of Republicans lack." [Florida Politics, 5/4/21]
2019: Luna Announced Congressional Campaign Shortly After Name Change According to Tampa Bay Times, "Fifteen days later, a note was published on Luna's Facebook page, featuring a logo with red and blue lettering in all capital letters across the top: 'Anna Paulina Luna for Congress.'" [Tampa Bay Times, 10/6/20]
2020: Anna Paulina Luna Highlighted Her Upbringing And Military Service During Campaign According to Florida Trend, "In a campaign ad, she talked about growing up in poverty and how joining the military helped her 'find hope' and independence." [Florida Trend, 1/13/21]
August 2020: Anna Paulina Luna Was Described As A Veteran And Conservative Commentator According to Tampa Bay Times, "Luna, a veteran and conservative commentator with a large social media following, has raised nearly a million dollars." [Tampa Bay Times, 8/7/20]
2020: Anna Paulina Luna Was 31 Years Old, Air Force Veteran, And Conservative Commentator According to Tampa Bay Times, "Luna, 31, an Air Force veteran, has just under 33 percent of the vote." Additionally, "Luna, 31, is an Air Force and Air National Guard veteran and conservative commentator, working for conservative media company PragerU. She grew up in Southern California and describes herself as a conservative Hispanic activist." [Tampa Bay Times, 8/14/20]
2022: Orlando Sentinel Reported Luna Held Belief Trump Won 2020 Election According to Orlando Sentinel, "Luna has said she believes Trump won the 2020 election and earlier this year promoted a film that has been discredited that claims people were paid to travel among drop boxes and stuff them with fraudulent ballots during the 2020 presidential vote." [Orlando Sentinel (Florida), 11/21/22]
2020: Anna Paulina Luna Won The Republican Primary For U.S. House District 13 According to Fox 13 News, "Anna Paulina Luna is quickly becoming a rising star in the GOP. From a relatively unknown to beating out four other Republican candidates in the U.S. House District 13 primary, the 31-year-old has come a very long way in a very short time." [Fox 13 News, 8/21/20]
2020: Anna Paulina Luna Won GOP Primary In August According to Media Matters, "After she won her primary in August, Fox 13 Tampa Bay wrote that she 'is quickly becoming a rising star in the GOP.'" [Media Matters, 10/21/20]
2020: Luna Defeated Amanda Makki In GOP Primary For Florida's 13th District According to Floridian Press, "Again, this information came out after the primary election Luna defeated Makki in, so it appears as if Makki feels that she may have lost to someone who misrepresented themselves to voters." [Floridian Press, 10/1/21]
2020: Anna Paulina Luna Won Republican Primary For CD 13 According to Florida Politics, "Griffin, who is also the former president of the Pinellas Suncoast Black Republican Club, was a candidate in the 2020 Republican Primaries for CD 13, which Luna won." [Florida Politics, 10/23/21]
Anna Paulina Luna Faced Amanda Makki And Audrey Henson In The GOP Primary According to Florida Politics, "She currently faces two other candidates vying for the GOP nomination, including former Lisa Murkowski adviser Amanda Makki, who also ran for the seat last year, and Audrey Henson, a nonprofit founder." [Florida Politics, 1/10/22]
2019: Anna Paulina Luna Launched Campaign For Florida's 13th Congressional District According to RationalWiki, "Marketed as the Republican answer to the then newly-elected Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, she launched her bid for Florida's 13th Congressional seat in 2019." [RationalWiki, 12/9/23]
2020: Luna Won Republican Primary And Lost General Election For House Seat According to a blog post by Bellucci on TheDPLG, "Luna's political career began in 2020 when she ran for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. She won the Republican primary but lost in the general election." [Blog Post - Bellucci on TheDPLG, 2/1/25]
November 2019: Matt Gaetz Endorsed Anna Paulina Luna For Congress In Florida's 13th District According to Tampa Bay Times, "U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz on Tuesday endorsed Air Force veteran Anna Paulina Luna in the crowded field of Republicans vying for the nomination in Florida's 13th Congressional district." [Tampa Bay Times, 11/5/19]
2019: Anna Paulina Luna Was One Of Five Republicans Running Against Charlie Crist According to Tampa Bay Times, "Luna, 30, is one of five Republicans vying for the chance to face U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist, the Democratic incumbent from St. Petersburg, next November." [Tampa Bay Times, 11/5/19]
September 2019: Anna Paulina Luna Entered The Race For Florida's 13th Congressional District According to Tampa Bay Times, "Luna's entrance into the race in September has changed the outlook. It now appears the primary will become a battle between Trump loyalists and a candidate, Makki, who Republicans thought could put up a fight in a district held by ex-Republican David Jolly just three years ago." [Tampa Bay Times, 11/5/19]
2019: Anna Paulina Luna Raised About $55,000 For Her Congressional Campaign According to Tampa Bay Times, "Luna has raised about $55,000, while Buck has brought in $179,000; Becker raised $58,000, and Griffin $13,000." [Tampa Bay Times, 11/5/19]
November 2019: Anna Paulina Luna Was One Of Five Republicans Competing To Face Rep. Charlie Crist According to Tampa Bay Times, "Luna, 30, is one of five Republicans vying for the chance to face U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist, the Democratic incumbent from St. Petersburg, next November." [Tampa Bay Times, 11/10/19]
September 2019: Anna Paulina Luna Entered The Race For Florida's 13th Congressional District According to Tampa Bay Times, "Luna's entrance into the race in September has changed the outlook. It now appears the primary will become a battle between Trump loyalists and a candidate, Makki, who Republicans thought could put up a fight in a district held by ex-Republican David Jolly just three years ago." [Tampa Bay Times, 11/10/19]
2019: Anna Paulina Luna Reported $55,000 In Campaign Contributions For The FL-13 Primary According to Tampa Bay Times, "Luna has raised about $55,000, while Buck has brought in $179,000; Becker raised $58,000, and Griffin $13,000." [Tampa Bay Times, 11/10/19]
2020: Anna Paulina Luna Polled Third Among District 13 Republican Candidates According to Tampa Bay Times, "Luna, who has support from influential names in President Donald Trump's orbit, including U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz, came in third with more than 19 percent." [Tampa Bay Times, 7/21/20]
2020: Anna Paulina Luna Raised Nearly $800,000 In District 13 Congressional Race According to Tampa Bay Times, "Buck is second with nearly $900,000, while Luna is third with almost $800,000." [Tampa Bay Times, 7/21/20]
2020: Tampa Bay Times Editorial Board Endorsed Anna Paulina Luna for Republican Primary in District 13 According to an editorial published in Tampa Bay Times, "Luna brings a fighter's spirit and strong views to the race, which will be needed to mount a serious campaign against a popular incumbent in the general election. The Tampa Bay Times recommends Anna Paulina Luna in the Republican primary for U.S. Representative, District 13." [Editorial - Tampa Bay Times, 7/22/20]
2020: Charlie Kirk, Students For Trump, And Bill Foster Endorsed Anna Paulina Luna According to Tampa Bay Times, "Kirk has endorsed Luna, as have Students for Trump and former St. Petersburg Mayor Bill Foster." [Tampa Bay Times, 7/28/20]
2020: Sharon Newby Dropped Out Of The Congressional Race And Endorsed Anna Paulina Luna According to Tampa Bay Times, "Since then, a fifth candidate, Sharon Newby, has dropped out of the race and endorsed Luna." [Tampa Bay Times, 7/28/20]
2020: Anna Paulina Luna Retweeted References To Amanda Makki As A 'RINO' And Criticized Her As A 'Career Political Insider' According to Tampa Bay Times, "Luna has retweeted tweets that refer to Makki as a 'RINO,' or 'Republican in name only,' and has derided Makki as a 'career political insider.'" [Tampa Bay Times, 8/14/20]
2020: Sharon Newby Dropped Out Of The Race And Endorsed Anna Paulina Luna According to Tampa Bay Times, "Business owner Sharon Newby, who dropped out of the race and endorsed Luna, has about 3 percent of the vote." [Tampa Bay Times, 8/14/20]
August 2020: Luna Won The Republican Nomination In Florida's 13th Congressional District According to Tampa Bay Times, "Anna Paulina Luna, who on Tuesday captured the Republican nomination in Florida's 13th Congressional District, meaning she will challenge U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist (D-St. Petersburg) in the November general election." [Tampa Bay Times, 8/19/20]
August 2020: Luna Defeated Multiple Opponents In The GOP Primary According to Tampa Bay Times, "Luna defeated lobbyist and former senate staffer Amanda Makki, who had raised more money and led a July poll, veteran and retired firefighter George Buck and former lawyer and Pinellas County GOP leader Sheila Griffin." [Tampa Bay Times, 8/19/20]
August 2020: Luna Won Republican Nomination For Florida's 13th Congressional District. According to Tampa Bay Times, "She secured the Republican nomination in last week's primary election and is taking on incumbent Democrat U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist in the November general election." [Tampa Bay Times, 8/25/20]
2020: Anna Paulina Luna Won The GOP Nomination For Florida's 13th Congressional District According to Tampa Bay Times, "Anna Paulina Luna, an Air Force and Air National Guard veteran who offered an aggressively pro-Trump approach, won the nomination, defeating a large field..." [Tampa Bay Times, 9/8/20]
August 2020: Anna Paulina Luna Secured Republican Nomination For Florida's 13th Congressional District According to Tampa Bay Times, "Congressional candidate Anna Paulina Luna, who last month secured the Republican nomination to take on U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist in November, is threatening to sue Twitter because it hasn't verified her account." [Tampa Bay Times, 9/16/20]
2020: Anna Paulina Luna Secured Republican Nomination For Congress In Florida's 13th District According to Tampa Bay Times, "Her outsider status, with no family or career connections to Washington, propelled her through a competitive primary election to challenge Democratic incumbent Rep. Charlie Crist in Florida's 13th Congressional District." [Tampa Bay Times, 10/6/20]
Charlie Kirk And Matt Gaetz Supported Luna's Campaign In 2020 According to Tampa Bay Times, "Kirk endorsed her in February, declaring Luna 'a true fighter for our country! We need more like her!' Luna also has support from U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz of Fort Walton Beach, one of Trump's closest allies in Congress." [Tampa Bay Times, 10/6/20]
2020: Anna Paulina Luna Received Endorsements From Matt Gaetz, Charlie Kirk, And Donald Trump According to Tampa Bay Times, "Luna was backed by U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz and Turning Point founder Charlie Kirk. She received Trump's endorsement the night she won the primary." [Tampa Bay Times, 10/13/20]
2020: Anna Paulina Luna Defeated George Buck And Amanda Makki In The Republican Primary According to Tampa Bay Times, "She was trailing in the polls before this summer's Republican primary, but beat the 2018 Republican nominee George Buck and Amanda Makki, a former U.S. Senate staffer." [Tampa Bay Times, 10/13/20]
2020: Anna Paulina Luna Won Republican Primary Over Previous GOP Candidates According to Tampa Bay Times, "Estaba atrás en las encuestas antes de las primarias republicanas de este verano, pero venció al candidato republicano de 2018 George Buck y a Amanda Makki, una ex empleada del Senado de Estados Unidos." [Tampa Bay Times, 11/4/20]
2020: Luna Defeated Makki In Republican Primary For House District 13 According to Tampa Bay Times, "Makki lost to Luna in the 2020 Republican primary for the seat Crist won." [Tampa Bay Times, 6/22/21]
2020: Anna Paulina Luna Won The Republican Primary Over Amanda Makki According to Tampa Bay Times, "Makki lost to Luna in the 2020 primary for that seat." [Tampa Bay Times, 7/1/21]
2020: Luna Won Republican Primary For District 13 With 36 Percent According to Tampa Bay Times, "Luna ended up winning a five-way primary with 36 percent to Makki's second-place 28 percent, then lost to Crist. Crist is now vacating the seat to run for governor." [Tampa Bay Times, 7/9/21]
2020: Luna Was Republican Nominee For Florida's 13th Congressional District But Lost To Charlie Crist According to Tampa Bay Times, "Republicans nominated her for the same House seat in 2020, which she eventually lost to Rep. Charlie Crist, a St. Petersburg Democrat." [Tampa Bay Times, 9/14/21]
2020: Luna Was Selected As A Candidate For Rep. Elise Stefanik's Political Committee According to Tampa Bay Times, "Both Luna and Makki were selected as candidates for Stefanik's political committee when they ran in 2020, and both were chosen as 'Women to Watch' this cycle." [Tampa Bay Times, 2/1/22]
2020: Luna Won The Republican Primary For Florida's 13th Congressional District According to Miami Times, "Makki lost the Republican primary to Luna in 2020. Crist then beat Luna in the general election with 53% of the vote." [Miami Times, 2/23/22]
Tampa Bay Times Reported 8/12/22: Anna Paulina Luna Previously Won The 2020 Republican Primary For Florida's 13th District According to Tampa Bay Times, "Anna Paulina Luna, who won the Republican primary in 2020, is leading among Republican candidates for Florida's 13th district." [Tampa Bay Times, 8/12/22]
2020: Anna Paulina Luna Received An Endorsement From President Trump According to Fox 13 News, "Her primary victory earned her a 'complete and total' endorsement from President Trump." [Fox 13 News, 8/21/20]
2020: Anna Paulina Luna Received Endorsement From Donald Trump According to Media Matters, "Luna has received support from President Donald Trump and is part of the National Republican Congressional Committee's Young Guns recruitment program." [Media Matters, 10/21/20]
2021: Anna Paulina Luna Endorsed By Donald Trump According to a blog post by Francisco Gonzalez on American Action News, "Luna and her supporters will counter all of this by pointing out that she was recently endorsed by former President Donald Trump." [Blog Post - Francisco Gonzalez on American Action News, 10/18/21]
Luna Received Donald Trump And Matt Gaetz Endorsements Prior To General Election According to Floridian Press, "Luna is considered the frontrunner in the race for making it all the way to the general election in 2020, and for recently garnering former President Donald Trump's endorsement, and the support of Rep. Matt Gaetz." [Floridian Press, 10/1/21]
2020: Luna Was Endorsed By Former President Donald Trump According to Florida Politics, "Perhaps, even, it was the public endorsement from former President Donald Trump that may ring a bell." [Florida Politics, 5/4/21]
Anna Paulina Luna Received Endorsements From Republican Figures And Groups Including Lauren Boebert, Byron Donalds, And Turning Point USA According to Al Dia News, "Luna was backed by controversial U.S. Reps like Lauren Boebert, Byron Donalds, and Turning Point, her former employer. Luna, at some point of the campaign trail, toured with Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a stalwart and defender of Trump." [Al Dia News, 11/15/22]
Anna Paulina Luna Held Endorsements From Donald Trump And The House Freedom Fund In 2022 According to Florida Politics, "Luna is a front-runner in the congressional race, collecting big-name endorsements from former President Donald Trump and the House Freedom Fund." [Florida Politics, 1/10/22]
2019: Anna Paulina Luna Was Endorsed By Matt Gaetz As A Pro-Trump Conservative According to Tampa Bay Times, "The Panhandle Republican and close ally of Trump said Luna 'can be counted on to support the president.'" [Tampa Bay Times, 11/5/19]
November 2019: Matt Gaetz Endorsed Anna Paulina Luna For Florida's 13th Congressional District According to Tampa Bay Times, "U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz on Tuesday endorsed Air Force veteran Anna Paulina Luna in the crowded field of Republicans vying for the nomination in Florida's 13th congressional district. The Panhandle Republican and close ally of Trump said Luna 'can be counted on to support the president.'" [Tampa Bay Times, 11/10/19]
November 2019: Anna Paulina Luna Expressed Honor At Receiving Matt Gaetz's Endorsement According to Tampa Bay Times, "'Congressman Matt Gaetz is a visible, committed and outspoken leader in the fight for the heart of our constitutional republic,' Luna said. 'He leads with both words and actions and I am honored to receive his endorsement.'" [Tampa Bay Times, 11/10/19]
2020: Anna Paulina Luna Received Support From Matt Gaetz And Other Trump Allies According to Tampa Bay Times, "Luna, who has support from influential names in President Donald Trump's orbit, including U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz, came in third with more than 19 percent." [Tampa Bay Times, 7/21/20]
2020: Rep. Matt Gaetz Endorsed Anna Paulina Luna For Congress According to Tampa Bay Times, "Luna, 31, is endorsed by U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz, one of Trump's closest allies in Congress." [Tampa Bay Times, 7/28/20]
August 2020: Trump Endorsed Anna Paulina Luna For Florida's 13th Congressional District According to Tampa Bay Times, "The president tweeted his 'Complete & Total Endorsement' of Luna within hours of the race going her way. 'Great WIN Anna,' he wrote. 'Watched your race from beginning, very impressed.'" [Tampa Bay Times, 8/19/20]
2020: President Trump And Donald Trump Jr. Publicly Endorsed Luna According to Tampa Bay Times, "The president tweeted his endorsement the night she captured the nomination." [Tampa Bay Times, 10/6/20]
2020: Anna Paulina Luna Ran On Veterans' Issues And Received High-Profile Endorsements According to Tampa Bay Times, "Luna, de 31 años, también corrió en una plataforma que priorizaba los problemas de los veteranos. [...] Luna fue respaldada por el representante estadounidense Matt Gaetz y el fundador de Turning Point, Charlie Kirk. Recibió el respaldo de Trump la noche que ganó las primarias." [Tampa Bay Times, 11/4/20]
2020: Tampa Bay Times Reported Luna Won GOP Nomination With Trump Wing Support According to Tampa Bay Times, "In 2020, Makki appeared headed for the GOP nomination to challenge Crist until Luna got support from the Trump wing of the party, including U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz. Luna won with 36 percent in a five-way field, then surprised some by coming within six points of Crist in the general election." [Tampa Bay Times, 4/30/21]
2020: Luna Received Support From Trump Wing Of GOP And Matt Gaetz According to Tampa Bay Times, "In 2020, she appeared headed for the GOP nomination to challenge Democratic Rep. Charlie Crist, with backing from GOP congressional leaders, until Luna got support from some in the Trump wing of the party, including U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz." [Tampa Bay Times, 7/9/21]
2020: Anna Paulina Luna Received Support From Trump Devotees During Republican Primary According to Tampa Bay Times, "In the primary, Makki got support from House Republicans while Luna got backing from devotees of then-President Donald Trump." [Tampa Bay Times, 7/19/21]
2020: Luna Received Support From Matt Gaetz And Donald Trump Jr. In Congressional Campaign According to Tampa Bay Times, "She had considerable backing from Trump's orbit in that race as well, including from Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fort Walton Beach, and the former president's son, Donald Trump Jr." [Tampa Bay Times, 9/14/21]
September 2021: Tampa Bay Times Reported Luna Was Endorsed By Donald Trump According to Tampa Bay Times, "In September Luna was endorsed by Donald Trump, but also came under attack from Trump follower Roger Stone. Meanwhile, she and Makki each sought to cast herself as the true Trump follower in the race." [Tampa Bay Times, 12/22/21]
2020: Luna Received Campaign Advice From Rep. Elise Stefanik According to Tampa Bay Times, "When she met with Stefanik in 2020, Luna said Stefanik walked her through what to expect as a young woman running for office - advice Luna said validated what she had already seen on the campaign trail." [Tampa Bay Times, 2/1/22]
2022: Trump Endorsed Anna Paulina Luna For Congress According to South Florida Sun-Sentinel, "Luna is an American First Republican endorsed by Donald Trump who embraces his special brand of lunacy." [South Florida Sun-Sentinel, 8/28/22]
August 2020: Sharon Newby Endorsed Anna Paulina Luna For Congress According to Tampa Bay Times, "Congressional candidate Sharon Newby, who was running for the Republican nomination to challenge U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist in Florida's 13th Congressional District, announced Friday that she is dropping out of the race and throwing her support behind Anna Paulina Luna." [Tampa Bay Times, 8/7/20]
July 2020: Anna Paulina Luna Led Sharon Newby In A St. Pete Polls Republican Primary Survey According to Tampa Bay Times, "In a recent survey last month of likely Republican voters conducted by St. Pete Polls, 1.5 percent of people said they would vote for Newby if the election was held that day. Luna, a veteran and conservative commentator with a large social media following, has raised nearly a million dollars. In that same survey, 13.9 percent said they would vote for her." [Tampa Bay Times, 8/7/20]
August 2020: Sharon Newby Called Luna A "Principled Conservative With A Warrior's Spirit" According to Tampa Bay Times, "'Anna Paulina Luna is a principled conservative with a warrior's spirit,' Newby said in a statement issued by Luna's campaign [...] 'It is extremely important we nominate an unquestioned patriot. Anna's service to this country, her work ethic, her enthusiasm for helping our President and her core Christian values, made this decision easy.'" [Tampa Bay Times, 8/7/20]
August 2020: Anna Paulina Luna Expressed Gratitude For Sharon Newby's Endorsement According to Tampa Bay Times, "'Shari is everything that is right with politics,' said Luna in a campaign statement. 'She is a hard-working, regular citizen who loves her country and wants to do right by people. I am honored to have her endorsement and look forward to our continued collaboration on fighting for policies that improve the lives of Pinellas County residents.'" [Tampa Bay Times, 8/7/20]
August 2020: Anna Paulina Luna Contested The Republican Primary For Florida's 13th Congressional District According to Tampa Bay Times, "Luna faces lobbyist Amanda Makki, veteran and retired firefighter George Buck Jr. and former lawyer Sheila Griffin in the Aug. 18 primary. The winner will take on Crist in the Nov. 3 general election." [Tampa Bay Times, 8/7/20]
2020: Anna Paulina Luna Ran For Republican Nomination In Florida's 13th Congressional District According to Tampa Bay Times, "Air Force veteran and conservative commentator Anna Paulina Luna has Gaetz and several pro-Trump national organizations on her side." [Tampa Bay Times, 8/10/20]
2020: House GOP Leadership Supported Amanda Makki While Anna Paulina Luna Received Pro-Trump Backing In FL-13 Primary According to Tampa Bay Times, "Amanda Makki, a former congressional staffer-turned-pharmaceutical lobbyist, impressed national Republicans with her campaign and fundraising ability. She won the support of House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy and his top lieutenant, House Minority Whip Steve Scalise. Meanwhile, Air Force veteran and conservative commentator Anna Paulina Luna has Gaetz and several pro-Trump national organizations on her side." [Tampa Bay Times, 8/10/20]
August 2020: Anna Paulina Luna Led Republican Primary For Florida's 13th Congressional District According to Tampa Bay Times, "With mail and early ballots counted and about a third of the voting precincts reporting, Anna Paulina Luna leads Amanda Makki by more than three points in the bid for the Republican nomination to take on U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist in Florida's 13th Congressional District." [Tampa Bay Times, 8/14/20]
2020: Anna Paulina Luna Received Endorsements From Influential Figures In Trump's Orbit, Including Rep. Matt Gaetz According to Tampa Bay Times, "Luna has the backing of influential names in President Donald Trump's orbit, including U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz." [Tampa Bay Times, 8/14/20]
August 2020: Luna Campaigned Alongside Matt Gaetz After Her Primary Win According to Tampa Bay Times, "Anna Paulina Luna, seen rallying at GOP-themed coffee shop Conservative Grounds in Largo on Friday alongside U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz, won her primary on Tuesday. She was later endorsed by President Donald Trump." [Tampa Bay Times, 8/19/20]
2020: Anna Paulina Luna Was Set To Face Charlie Crist In November Election According to Fox 13 News, "This November, however, she faces her toughest challenge yet: a one-on-one against incumbent Charlie Crist, who has all the name recognition and experience a candidate could want." [Fox 13 News, 8/21/20]
2020: Anna Paulina Luna Ran For Congress In Florida's 13th District Against Charlie Crist According to Media Matters, "Luna, who is running for Congress in Florida's 13th Congressional District against incumbent Democratic Rep. Charlie Crist, is the chairperson of Hispanic Initiatives at PragerU and the former director of Hispanic engagement for Charlie Kirk's Turning Point USA." [Media Matters, 10/21/20]
February 2020: Anna Paulina Luna Ran Against Charlie Crist According to Ledger, "Anna Paulina Luna, who is running against Charlie Crist, is guest speaker." [Ledger, 2/16/20]
2020: Luna Outraised Crist In Final Days Of Previous Campaign According to Florida Politics, "Despite losing to the incumbent, Luna has proved herself a successful fundraiser, outraising Crist in the final days heading up to the election. The newcomer managed to rake in more than $3.27 million during her campaign, a number that made defeating even a well-funded politician like Crist look doable." [Florida Politics, 5/4/21]
January 2022: CD 13 Constituents And Floridians Contributed Majority Of Luna's Funds According to Florida Politics, "Contributors to Luna's campaign include CD 13 constituents and voters across the county. So far, CD 13 constituents have donated over $300,000 to her campaign, and Floridians, in general, account for over $750,000 worth of contributions total, according to Luna's campaign." [Florida Politics, 1/10/22]
January 2022: Anna Paulina Luna Described Her Campaign As Building A 'Broad And Diverse Coalition' According to Florida Politics, "'I am thrilled by and grateful for the overwhelming support my campaign has received,' Luna said in a statement. 'We have worked hard to build a broad and diverse coalition of supporters that will power us to success in November, and it is exciting to see our efforts paying off so early in the race.'" [Florida Politics, 1/10/22]
2020: James Blair Declined To Comment On Anna Paulina Luna Campaign's Involvement In Text Message Controversy According to Tampa Bay Times, "James Blair, a spokesman for fellow veteran Anna Paulina Luna, declined to say if the text message came from her campaign because they 'don't discuss campaign strategy publicly.'" [Tampa Bay Times, 7/21/20]
2020: Anna Paulina Luna Supported Conservative Immigration, Health, and Education Policies According to an editorial published in Tampa Bay Times, "She supports many familiar conservative priorities - building a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border, repealing the Affordable Care Act, opposing a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants. She espouses the benefits of school choice and gun rights, and opposes a ban on assault-style weapons and magazine capacities. Luna also champions improving water and ocean quality and opposes offshore drilling near Florida. She expressed a nuanced view of police reforms during an interview with the Tampa Bay Times, relaying an emotional story about how her father was unfairly beaten by law enforcement." [Editorial - Tampa Bay Times, 7/22/20]
2020: Anna Paulina Luna Ran For Congress In Florida's 13th District As A Trump-Aligned Candidate According to Tampa Bay Times, "Anna Paulina Luna, a U.S. Air Force veteran-turned-conservative media personality who introduced herself to District 13 voters by firing a military-style weapon at targets and declaring in a video, 'I'm sure as hell not a politician.' Luna, 31, is endorsed by U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz, one of Trump's closest allies in Congress." [Tampa Bay Times, 7/28/20]
2020: Anna Paulina Luna Raised Nearly $1 Million Mostly From Small Donors For Her Campaign According to Tampa Bay Times, "Buck and Luna have also raised nearly $1 million, though they have many more donors who made small contributions." [Tampa Bay Times, 7/28/20]
2020: Tampa Bay Times Reported Luna Faced Incumbent Charlie Crist In The General Election According to Tampa Bay Times, "Crist, a Democrat who previously served as governor as a Republican and an independent, keeps chugging along in this St. Petersburg-Clearwater seat. The only notable recent development came in the multi-candidate GOP primary... Anna Paulina Luna... won the nomination..." [Tampa Bay Times, 9/8/20]
2020: Anna Paulina Luna Out-Raised Charlie Crist Late In The Campaign According to Tampa Bay Times, "A millennial conservative firebrand, she activated her formidable social media base to out-raise Crist in the late months of the election." [Tampa Bay Times, 10/13/20]
Anna Paulina Luna Spoke At 'Fighters Against Socialism' Event In Tampa On 10/11/20 According to Tampa Bay Times, "On a stage set to look like a cage match, Anna Paulina Luna, who is running against Democratic incumbent Charlie Crist in Florida's 13th Congressional District speaks before Donald Trump Jr. and UFC Superstar Jorge Masvidal, during a Fighters Against Socialism bus tour at the Tampa Convention Center on Oct. 11." [Tampa Bay Times, 10/14/20]
October 2020: Supporters Took Selfies With Anna Paulina Luna At Pinellas Rally According to Tampa Bay Times, "The couple also took selfies with Luna. 'I can die now,' Heidecke joked." [Tampa Bay Times, 10/16/20]
2020: Luna Criticized Crist For Alleged Budget Cuts To State VA During Governorship According to Tampa Bay Times, "She has tweeted a letter, signed by 12 veterans, that said Crist 'slashed the state Department of Veterans Affairs budget by nearly $17 million and cut over $16 million in funding for veterans' homes' when he was governor." [Tampa Bay Times, 10/30/20]
2020: Anna Paulina Luna Ran For Congress As A Military-Focused Republican According to Florida Trend, "It was a closer race in Pinellas County, where Anna Paulina Luna, a 31-year-old Republican, took on 64-year-old Democrat Rep. Charlie Crist. Luna, an Air Force veteran, made military toughness a central theme of her campaign, posing in camos in photos and carrying a flamethrower in an ad sponsored by a gun rights PAC." [Florida Trend, 1/13/21]
2020: Anna Paulina Luna Ran For Florida's 13th Congressional District According to Tampa Bay Times, "Luna previously ran against Charlie Crist in 2020 for the seat that covers southern Pinellas County and lost." [Tampa Bay Times, 6/12/21]
2020: Miami New Times Reported Luna Mounted Failed Congressional Run Against Charlie Crist According to Miami New Times, "After gaining a large following on social media with brassy and uncompromising political commentary, she mounted a failed run for Congress against incumbent Charlie Crist in 2020." [Miami New Times, 9/29/23]
February 2020: Anna Paulina Luna Spoke At Republican Women's Club Of Lakeland According to Ledger, "Anna Paulina Luna, who is running against Charlie Crist, is guest speaker." [Ledger, 2/16/20]
October 2020: Luna Participated In NAACP Forum In St. Petersburg According to Tampa Bay Times, "Republican congressional candidate Anna Paulina Luna participated in a forum hosted by the St. Petersburg branch of the NAACP on Saturday morning. She held the floor on her own, as her opponent, U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist, did not attend due to a scheduling conflict, organizers said." [Tampa Bay Times, 10/17/20]
October 2020: Luna Criticized Crist For Not Debating Her According to Tampa Bay Times, "Luna has repeatedly called out Crist on Twitter for not engaging with her in a debate, and provided a text message to the Tampa Bay Times from forum organizers showing Crist declined to attend the event at the last minute." [Tampa Bay Times, 10/17/20]
2020: Anna Paulina Luna Lost Congressional Race To Charlie Crist According to WMNF, "Luna lost a congressional race to Crist last year." [WMNF, 6/16/21]
2021: Anna Paulina Luna Ran For Congress Against Charlie Crist And Lost According to a blog post by Francisco Gonzalez on American Action News, "Luna's race against incumbent Charlie Crist was neither close nor impressive given Crist's long service in both the State Senate and in various elected offices, including the Governorship. The flip-flopper Crist managed to hold on to 25% of the Republican vote against Luna. In fact, Luna ran 5 points behind President Trump, who only lost the district by one point." [Blog Post - Francisco Gonzalez on American Action News, 10/18/21]
2020: Luna Lost To Incumbent Charlie Crist In FL-13 Race According to Florida Politics, "about six months after her loss to incumbent Charlie Crist." [Florida Politics, 5/4/21]
2020: Anna Paulina Luna Lost General Election For CD 13 To Charlie Crist According to Florida Politics, "But, after losing the 2020 General Election to incumbent Democrat Charlie Crist, Luna is running for the seat again." [Florida Politics, 10/23/21]
Anna Paulina Luna Lost Her 2020 Congressional Bid Against Charlie Crist According to Al Dia News, "In her first run in 2020, she ran against Charlie Crist, the incumbent, in Democratically favorable territory in St. Petersburg, and lost." [Al Dia News, 11/15/22]
2020: Luna Lost Congressional Bid For Florida's 13th District According to Media Matters, "During her first run in 2020, Luna received high-profile Republican endorsements but lost her bid for Florida's 13th District to now-Gubernatorial candidate Charlie Crist." [Media Matters, 12/9/22]
2020: Anna Paulina Luna Lost To Charlie Crist With 47% Of The Vote In Florida's 13th District According to RationalWiki, "With some help from Florida congressman Matt Gaetz, she secured 47% of the vote, but ultimately lost the election." [RationalWiki, 12/9/23]
2020: Tampa Bay Times Noted Luna Trailed Crist In Both Polls And Fundraising According to Tampa Bay Times, "A St. Pete Polls survey released after the primary had Crist leading Luna by 16 points, similar to his margin in 2018. Crist also far outpaces Luna in cash on hand, $3.1 million to $319,000." [Tampa Bay Times, 9/8/20]
2020: Anna Paulina Luna Lost Congressional Race To Charlie Crist In Florida's 13th District According to Tampa Bay Times, "El representante federal Charlie Crist, demócrata, derrotó a la aspirante republicana Anna Paulina Luna y conservó su escaño en el distrito 13 de Florida, según Associated Press. Con los votos anticipados y los votos parciales por correo una vez reportados, Crist lideró a Luna 53 por ciento a 47 por ciento." [Tampa Bay Times, 11/4/20]
2020: Anna Paulina Luna Lost Florida Congressional Race To Charlie Crist According to Florida Trend, "She lost with 47% of the vote to Crist's 53% - a strong showing for the political novice. Luna told her political supporters she's 'not going anywhere anytime soon.'" [Florida Trend, 1/13/21]
2020: Anna Paulina Luna Previously Ran For Florida's 13th Congressional District According to CNN New Day, "Anna Paulina Luna ran for the seat in 2020. And she lost to Charlie Crist. She's running again. She's announced her intention for a while. She was the only Republican Candidate." [CNN New Day 7:30 AM EST, 6/18/21]
2020: Anna Paulina Luna Lost Congressional Race To Charlie Crist In Florida District 13 According to Channel NewsAsia, "In 2020, Luna lost by about 24,600 votes to the far better-known Crist in the District 13 congressional race in Pinellas County." [Channel NewsAsia, 6/22/21]
2020: Anna Paulina Luna Lost To Charlie Crist In General Election For Florida's 13th District According to Tampa Bay Times, "Crist, a Democrat and the incumbent, beat Luna in the general election." [Tampa Bay Times, 7/19/21]
2020: Luna Lost Congressional Race to Charlie Crist According to Tampa Bay Times, "The seat will be vacated by Rep. Charlie Crist, who defeated Luna in 2020. He is running for governor." [Tampa Bay Times, 9/13/21]
2020: Anna Paulina Luna Lost Congressional Race To Charlie Crist By Approximately 24,600 Votes According to South Florida Sun-Sentinel, "In 2020, Luna lost by about 24,600 votes to the far better-known Crist in the District 13 congressional race." [South Florida Sun-Sentinel, 9/19/21]
2020: Luna Lost Florida's 13th Congressional District Race To Charlie Crist According to Orlando Sentinel, 'In 2020, Luna lost by about 24,600 votes to the far better-known Crist in the District 13 congressional race.' [Orlando Sentinel, 9/21/21]
2020: Anna Paulina Luna Won Republican Primary And Lost General Election For Florida's 13th District According to Tampa Bay Times, 'She won the primary in 2020 but lost to Crist in the general election by 6 percentage points.' [Tampa Bay Times, 11/11/21]
Anna Paulina Luna Won 2020 Republican Primary For Florida's 13th District But Lost General Election To Crist According to Tampa Bay Times, "That includes Anna Paulina Luna, who won the 2020 Republican primary but lost in the general election to Crist." [Tampa Bay Times, 1/19/22]
2020: Anna Paulina Luna Ran For Congress And Lost To Charlie Crist According to Tampa Bay Times, "Among Republicans looking to replace him: Anna Paulina Luna, who ran in 2020 but lost in the general election to Crist." [Tampa Bay Times, 2/1/22]
2020: Charlie Crist Defeated Anna Paulina Luna In General Election For Florida's 13th District According to Miami Times, "Makki lost the Republican primary to Luna in 2020. Crist then beat Luna in the general election with 53% of the vote." [Miami Times, 2/23/22]
2020: Anna Paulina Luna Lost 13th Congressional District Race To Charlie Crist According to Tampa Bay Times, "Anna Paulina Luna, the Republican candidate for the seat in 2020 who lost to Democrat Charlie Crist, has raised the most money total for the 2022 race." [Tampa Bay Times, 6/7/22]
2020: Anna Paulina Luna Lost General Election to Charlie Crist According to an editorial published in Tampa Bay Times, "Anna Paulina Luna, 33, won the Republican primary two years ago, but lost to Democrat Charlie Crist in the general election. Since then, the district was redrawn and now favors Republicans (and Crist decided to run for governor)." [Editorial - Tampa Bay Times, 7/21/22]
2022: Anna Paulina Luna Flipped Florida's 13th District Seat According to Tampa Bay Times, "She flipped the seat in 2022, thanks to redistricting changes and the decision by Democratic incumbent Charlie Crist to run for governor." [Tampa Bay Times, 5/16/24]
2022: Anna Paulina Luna Won Her House Race With 53% Of The Vote According to Tampa Bay Times, "2022 House result: Luna, 53%-45%" [Tampa Bay Times, 5/16/24]
2022: Anna Paulina Luna Carried The Redrawn 13th District By Eight Points According to Tampa Bay Times, "Luna carried the redrawn seat by eight points in 2022." [Tampa Bay Times, 11/6/24]
2020: Tampa Bay Times Editorial Board Noted Luna's Recent Move to District 13 According to an editorial published in Tampa Bay Times, "A knock: She only moved into the district about a year ago." [Editorial - Tampa Bay Times, 7/22/20]
2020: Anna Paulina Luna Claimed Commitment To Patriotism And Public Service After Election Loss According to Tampa Bay Times, "Ella tuiteó que 'Aunque esta noche no estuvo con nosotros, este no es el final del camino.' 'El patriotismo y el servicio público son esfuerzos de toda la vida', escribió. 'Amamos a nuestro país. Oramos por nuestro país. Y continuaremos sirviendo a nuestro país. Gracias por tu apoyo.'" [Tampa Bay Times, 11/4/20]