Rep. Anna Paulina Luna pushed a ban on congressional stock trading at the first Republican National Committee midterm convention in Dallas.

Democrats say she ignored cost-of-living issues facing Pinellas County voters.

Luna, who represents Florida's 13th Congressional District, spoke during the opening hour of the convention's second day, Thursday, Sept. 10. The two-day event, organized by RNC Chairman Joe Gruters, aimed to defy the historical pattern in which the president's party loses seats in midterm elections. In 18 of the 20 midterms since World War II, the president's party has lost ground in Congress.

"The American people elected a Republican Congress to fix Washington, not to profit off it or to tolerate its corruption," Luna said during her Dallas speech, according to WFLA. "It's time we deliver this win for the American people and ban insider trading."

Democrats Criticize Convention Spending

Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried held a virtual press call the same day, accusing Luna and Rep. Byron Donalds of attending what she called a "multimillion-dollar-palooza" while Florida families face gas prices above $4 a gallon, health care premiums averaging $591 a month and grocery bills $310 higher than before. Fried said Luna has voted three times to shield Trump's tariffs from congressional oversight, according to the Miami Times. Those tariffs are projected to cost the average American family $1,300 this year, Fried said.

Challenger Says Luna Ignores Constituents

Luna's Democratic challenger, retired Army Brig. Gen. Leela Gray, issued a statement on Sept. 10 responding to Luna's convention speech. Gray called Luna a Washington insider focused on fame over constituent needs, according to WFLA. Gray said Luna never addressed the cost-of-living crisis or her votes supporting the Iran war and tariff taxes during the Dallas speech.

Gray had also campaigned locally earlier in the week. At a Labor Day event on Monday, Sept. 7, she told supporters, "I'm bringing back service over self to our Congress to beat Anna Paulina Luna," according to WFLA.

District Leans Republican Despite Redraw

The race covers the northern half of St. Petersburg and parts of Pinellas County. Luna won the seat by 10 percentage points in her last election, and the district was redrawn to add another 1.5 points in Republicans' favor, creating a Trump-plus-13 margin based on the 2024 vote, Fox 13 reported.

Dueling Internal Polls Show Different Leaders

Dueling polls tell different stories. Gray released an internal poll showing her ahead by five points. Luna responded on X, claiming Gray trails by more than eight points. Neither poll has been independently verified.

Kyle Kondik, a congressional handicapper at the University of Virginia, told Fox 13 on Sept. 8 that Republicans remain favored but called the race "kind of an interesting one to watch down the stretch."

Seat Named a National Democratic Target

The seat has been added to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee's Red to Blue program, which targets Republican-held districts Democrats consider winnable. The general election is scheduled for Nov. 3, according to Gray's campaign.