Anna Paulina Luna

[[File:Anna_Paulina_Luna_by_Gage_Skidmore.jpg|thumb|right|165px|Anna Paulina Luna in 2021.]]{{uspolitics}}
{{cquote|I'm able to take on different personalities depending on what image I am going for. I think getting into character of what you are selling is super important.|||Anna Paulina Luna, a woman of sincere convictions who is NOT an opportunistic grifter<ref name=solomon>[https://www.tampabay.com/news/pinellas/2020/10/11/the-evolution-of-anna-paulina-luna-republican-candidate-for-congress/ The evolution of Anna Paulina Luna, Republican candidate for Congress: Much about Luna is new, including her last name and her residence in St. Petersburg. It coincides with her decision to challenge Rep. Charlie Crist.] by Josh Solomon ((Oct. 11, 2020) ''Tampa Bay Times''.</ref>}}

'''Anna Paulina Luna''' {{lived|1989}} is an [[Instagram]] model turned political commentator turned Congressional candidate turned Congresswoman. She has worked for [[conservative]] organizations like [[Dennis Prager#Prager "University"|PragerU]] and [[Turning Point USA]] in the past. In 2020, she challenged incumbent Charlie Crist's Congressional seat in Florida's 13<sup>th</sup> district.<ref>[https://ballotpedia.org/Anna_Paulina_Luna Anna Paulina Luna] ''Ballotpedia''.</ref> Since then she has appeared as a commentator on [[Newsmax]] segments. She is right now the congresswoman for the Florida's 13th congressional district.

==Who is she?==
She was born Anna Mayerhofer in 1989 and was raised predominantly in southern California. She grew up in a broken home and much of her childhood was plagued by [[poverty]], addiction and [[disease]]. After a tumultuous upbringing, she joined the Air Force shortly after graduating high school.<ref name=solomon/> While serving in the military, she would meet her future ex-husband. After her [[marriage]] ended in [[divorce]] in 2012,<ref>[https://unicourt.com/case/ca-ora-mayerhofer-and-gamberzky-747225 Mayerhofer and Gamberzky] (08/23/2012) ''UniCourt''.</ref> she went on to pose provocatively in men's magazines. Later, she entered the world of political commentary in the mid 2010s — ultimately landing gigs with [[Dennis Prager]] and [[Turning Point USA]].

==2020 Congressional Race==
Marketed as the Republican answer to the then newly-elected Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, she launched her bid for Florida's 13<sup>th</sup> Congressional seat in 2019.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20200920141946/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmcw-CXRzXA&feature=emb_title Always] by Anna Paulina Luna (Sep 15, 2020) ''YouTube'' (archived from September 20, 2020).</ref> With some help from Florida congressman [[Matt Gaetz]], she secured 47% of the vote, but ultimately lost the election.<ref>[https://www.tampabay.com/florida-politics/elections/2020/11/03/florida-13th-district-crist-takes-early-lead-over-luna/ Florida 13th District: Charlie Crist defeats Anna Paulina Luna] by Josh Solomon (Nov. 3, 2020) ''Tampa Bay Times''.</ref>

===On the issues===
Throughout the campaign trail, she offered very few specifics in regards to particular policy prescriptions. It is known that she supported the following:
* [[Capitalism]]
* [[Freedom of speech#Free Speech vs_Frea Speach and Freeze Peach|Free speach]]
* [[Constitution]] 
* [[God]]

And that she opposed the following: 
* [[Socialism]]
* [[Communism]]
* [[Totalitarianism]]

In all likelihood, she probably hasn't thought long and hard about any of the issues that she speaks about.

==2022 congressional race==
Aided by Florida's new, [[gerrymander]]ed map imposed by [[Ron DeSantis]] as well as a sharp rightward turn in general in Florida, she was unfortunately able to win an open seat in the thirteenth district during the [[2022 midterm elections]].<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2022/11/08/us/elections/results-florida-us-house-district-13.html Florida 13th Congressional District Election Results], ''The New York Times''</ref>

==Questionable political history==
Taking a page straight out of [[Dave Rubin]]'s playbook, she claims to have been a staunch [[Democrat]] and [[Barack Obama#I voted for Barack Obama!|avid supporter of Barack Obama]] prior to [[Wake up|waking up]] and realizing how backwards and [[brainwashed]] she had been.<ref name=solomon/> However, in a now deleted social media posting from 2021, she confessed to never having voted for him in either presidential election.<ref>[https://archive.is/n0V3Z The first President I ever voted for was Donald Trump & the first congressman I ever voted for was @RepMattGaetz . 🇺🇸 I am proud to be a Floridian & will continue to serve my home state. ❤️] by Anna Paulina Luna (Jan 20, 2021) ''Blather'' (archived from 1 Feb 2021 05:22:14 UTC).</ref> How avid of an Obama supporter could she really have been if she didn't even vote for the guy?

==Bienvenido==
Luna has done some activist work for an organization called Bienvenido, a 501(c)3 "nonpartisan" organization that bills itself as one that is dedicated to the enhancement of the [[Hispanic]] community.<ref>[https://bienvenido.us Bienvenido]</ref> On the surface, this organization appears to be legitimate and respectable. But, the organization appears to subscribe to the idea that deportations, family separations and [[concentration camps]] are all things that enhance the Hispanic community. It is essentially an [[astroturf]] organization that is compromised almost exclusively of token Latinos.{{cn}}

The goal of this organization appears to be in direct conflict with its tactics. For example, they claim that contrary to what the [[mainstream media]] says, most Latinos actually support [[Donald Trump|Trump]] and are generally [[conservative]]. They even have plenty of [[Tokenism|tokens]] that are willing and ready to provide [[moral]] cover for Trump whenever charges of [[racism]] are hurled. However, if it is in fact true that most Latinos are conservative, deporting more Latinos would actually make it harder for Republicans to get elected. Then there are the endless cries of how immigrants from [[Mexico]] are flipping red states like [[Texas]] and [[Arizona]] blue. If most Latinos are conservatives, then how would that even be possible?

Luna also pays lip service to some [[QAnon]] talking points such as "save the children" and insinuates that less stringent immigration policies would result in more [[human trafficking]].<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20201118181059/https://twitter.com/realannapaulina/status/1223372766830899201 Hundreds of thousands of innocent children, women, & even men have been victims of Human Trafficking in the US. Especially from MX & S.America. This is modern slavery. The support for the bill just signed by @realDonaldTrump should be bipartisan. End slavery.] by Anna Paulina Luna (2:29 PM - 31 Jan 2020) ''Twitter'' (archived from November 18, 2020).</ref>

===Kamala Harris airport incident===
She attempted to catch future vice president, [[Kamala Harris]], in a gotcha moment while harassing her at an airport in April, 2019.<ref>[https://archive.is/y8bxh Ran into @SenKamalaHarris at the airport. Shame on her. She exploits Hispanic women and children for votes.] by Anna Paulina Luna (5:20 PM - 27 Apr 2019) ''Twitter'' (archived from 28 Apr 2019 07:07:55 UTC).</ref> Harris has been an outspoken critic of immigration policies that separate children from their parents. It was Luna's contention that ending those policies and ensuring that families are no longer separated would be exploitative to immigrants. Yes, apparently '''not''' having your family broken up is the '''REAL''' tragedy.

==Ethnic impersonation==
{{main|Ethnic impersonation}}
One of the consequences of running for public office is that the personal details of many candidates will get placed under a microscope in order to determine if they're trustworthy or not. The case of Anna Paulina Luna is no exception. In April of 2019, Anna Gamberzky (still using her ex-husband's last name) legally changed her last name to "Luna." Luna claims that her decision to adopt a new last name was sparked by a desire to share the same last name as her mother. However, Tampa Bay Times reporter Josh Solomon noted that her mother's last name actually is not Luna.<ref name=solomon/> When pressed further, she pivoted and claimed that her name was changed actually more out of respect for her ex-husband's privacy:

{{quotebox|She didn't grow up speaking Spanish. Going back generations in her mother's family, children were taught English only, to shield them from pervasive racism. Despite her Hispanic roots, Luna identified herself as "White, not of Hispanic Origin" when she registered to vote in Okaloosa County in 2015, records show.<ref name=solomon/>}}

{{quotebox|“When I was in college, I also checked the Hispanic box, I also checked Native American, I also checked white,” Luna said. “I’ve had my [[DNA]] done, and I think that these questions are kind of insulting, honestly.<ref>[https://archive.is/wip/KHH2F It's a very real fact that the reason the left impersonates other ethnicities is for control factor. If they can rally the vote from minorities, they can control minorities. 2 prime examples: Elizabeth Warren Robert (Beto) O'rourke] by Anna Paulina Luna (6:13 PM - 15 Oct 2018) ''Twitter'' (archived from 2 Feb 2021 03:42:24 UTC).</ref>}}

As part of a PragerU series starring herself called ''Americanos'', she claimed that both of her parents were born in Mexico.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPhLuidNHkQ&feature=emb_title Trailer: Americanos with Anna Paulina Luna]. PraguerU on YouTube</ref> However, she has said on several different occasions that she is only half Hispanic.<ref>[https://archive.is/wip/NwX0o Being mixed (Hispanic & White) is not easy in the political climate today. I have experienced more prejudice comments from minority "Democrats" as an open Republican than I have at any other point in my life.] by Anna Paulina Luna (11:23 AM · Dec 15, 2019) ''Twitter'' (archived from 2 Feb 2021 03:44:48 UTC).</ref><ref>[https://archive.is/wip/GFxNw Apparently if you are: Pro-God Pro-life Pro- Second Amendment you’re a huge threat. Or maybe it’s because I’m half-HISPANIC and not buying the 💩 the DNC tries to sell to Hispanics.] by Anna Paulina Luna (10:26 AM · Sep 17, 2019) ''Twitter'' (archived from 2 Feb 2021 03:47:24 UTC).</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20191216174950if_/https://twitter.com/realannapaulina/status/1206267551359098880 That is actually my husband's last name. Obama was half-white yet he is considered our first black president. You are a  prejudice person to think that I can’t be Hispanic because I’m only half.] by Anna Paulina Luna (9:39 AM · Dec 15, 2019) ''Twitter'' (archived from December 16, 2019).</ref> Her father's voting record in Okaloosa County, Florida revealed that he changed his race from "White, Non Hispanic" in 2021<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20210128145045/https://voterrecords.com/voter/70959930/george-mayerhofer George Henry Mayerhofer's Florida Voter Registration] ''Voter Registration Records'' (archived from January 28, 2021).</ref> to "Hispanic" in 2022.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20221109192900/https://voterrecords.com/voter/70959930/george-mayerhofer George Henry Mayerhofer's Florida Voter Registration] ''Voter Registration Records'' (archived from November 9, 2022).</ref>

While running for Congress, she stated that she was "raised as a [[Messianic Judaism|Messianic Jew]] by her father" and that "I am also a small fraction Ashkenazi".<ref name=alemany>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/02/10/anna-paulina-luna-republican-biography/ The making of Anna Paulina Luna: Luna’s sharp turn to the right, her account of an isolated and impoverished childhood, and her embrace of her Hispanic heritage have surprised some friends and family who knew her before her ascent to the U.S. House this year.] by Jacqueline Alemany & Alice Crites (February 10, 2023 at 5:00 a.m. EST) ''The Washington Post''.</ref> There is no actual evidence that Luna has any Jewish ancestry.<ref name=alemany/>

Her unwillingness or inability to consistently answer basic questions about her own identity have led many to speculate that she may have completely fabricated a faux Latina persona purely out of convenience. Her father did speak Spanish at home and her family has confirmed Mexican ancestry on the maternal side.<ref name=alemany/> Legitimate questions and concerns are routinely written off by her as nothing more than lies perpetuated by haters, 
[[trolls]], and people who are just jealous or part of the [[Deep state]].{{cn}}

==Stolen valor?==
While it is verifiably true that Luna has served several years in the Air Force, it is not clear in what capacity she served. Her military career has been a major selling point for her and she frequently posts provocative pictures of herself dressed in combat gear while carrying assault rifles.<ref name=purpleheart>[https://web.archive.org/web/20201125033247/https://twitter.com/realannapaulina/status/1230636599639232515 Please Retweet! 😊 My name is Anna Paulina Luna. I'm a Latina Veteran. My husband is a special forces operator with a Purple Heart and Bronze Star. I'm going to Congress on behalf of Florida District 13 to fight the corruption in Washington. Please follow my journey.] by Anna Paulina Luna (3:33 PM - 20 Feb 2020) ''Twitter'' (archived from May 20, 20200.</ref> A closer look at her military photos reveals that the part of the uniform where it displays a soldier's name, it's blurred out - presumably in an attempt to conceal her former last name.<ref>[https://twitter.com/realannapaulina/status/1261669840273772545 Happy Armed Forces Day from my amazing husband &  I.] by Anna Paulina Luna (7:48 AM - 16 May 2020) ''Twitter'' (archived from November 18, 2020).</ref> She often refers to her ex-husband, whom she claims received a purple heart and a bronze star, as her current husband.<ref name=purpleheart/> They actually divorced in 2012 but that certainly doesn't stop her from riding off of his coattails.

==Greatest hits==
*Like many of her ilk, [[identity politics]] is unacceptable and divisive until it isn't anymore.<ref>[https://archive.ph/63ohD 1. You should be focusing on the community as a whole. 2. Stop playing identity politics. 3. You voted against the wall which leads to an exploitation of Hispanics.] by Anna Paulina Luna (Jun 23, 2020) ''Blather'' (archived from 1 Feb 2021 05:09:36 UTC).</ref><ref>[https://archive.ph/wip/iDuwD This military officer is the farthest thing from leadership I have ever seen. Politics has shown me that there are many vets that use their “vet card” but do not believe in the constitution. It's a good thing @RepCawthorn won. We need strong Reps. Not weak men. Madison Cawthorn @CawthornforNC My disgraced and defeated opponent wants to declare war on conservatives. Stand with me, stand strong. Add your voice and tell Pelosi and AOC  that we’ll never back down to the violent left!] by Anna Paulina Luna (Jan 19, 2021) ''Blather'' (archived from 9 Nov 2022 20:19:25 UTC).</ref><ref>[https://archive.ph/2mka3 The only person struggling right now is you with your facts. ICE combats #humantrafficking (rape, torture, & slavery). Quit playing the race card amiga. This isn't a "white supremacy" issue. This is a humanitarian issue that you're exploiting for votes. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez @Ocasio2018 #AbolishICE means not having an agency that incarcerates children and sexually assaults women with impunity. It does not mean abolish deportation. Also, I have no problem saying white supremacy has no place in this country. It's the GOP that struggles to say that.] by Anna Paulina Luna (Aug 22, 2018) ''Blather'' (archived from 1 Feb 2021 20:30:05 UTC).</ref>
*Because filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy is always a strong indicator that a business is doing well, a mere one day after the [[NRA]] did exactly that, she claimed that the NRA was financially stronger than it had been in years.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20210201203551/https://blather.io/fallacies/drugs-baseless-claim-logical-fallacy-1425 The NRA just announced they are financially stronger then they have been in years and they plan on reincorporating in Texas! Huge victory for the Second Amendment! 🇺🇸 NRA @NRA BREAKING NEWS: @NRA Dumps New York to Reincorporate in Texas, Announces New Strategic Plan "This is a transformational moment in the history of the NRA," says NRA CEO &amp; EVP Wayne LaPierre.] by Anna Paulina Luna (Jan 15, 2021) ''Blather'' (archived from February 1, 2021).</ref>
*She thinks that [[gang]] shootings and armed robberies are the direct result of [[atheism]].<ref>[https://archive.ph/bhiWd I survived: • An armed robbery. • A gang shooting on campus. @MikeBloomberg guns are not the problem. People without God are. Maybe you should start handing out bibles instead of socialist talking points if you want to fix the problem.] by Anna Paulina Luna (Nov 25, 2019) ''Blather'' (archived from 1 Feb 2021 20:39:56 UTC).</ref>
*She clearly has no idea what amnesty even is.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20210201204437/https://archive.ph/EtPfD My opponent, Amanda Makki, is lying to disguise her background as a high paid lobbyist for radical left Anti-Trump dark money groups in D.C. Now she’s lying about my views! I oppose: •amnesty •illegal immigration •DACA I stand with POTUS 100% on immigration policy!] by Anna Paulina Luna (Aug 03, 2020) ''Blather'' (archived from 1 Feb 2021 20:44:39 UTC).</ref>
*She once tried poking fun at AOC for not working a "big girl" job (apparently serving in Congress isn't a real job) and for not being able to afford an apartment in Washington, DC. Less than a year later, she would announce that she was running for congress and started begging for donations online.<ref>[https://archive.ph/wip/vf8Zu Anna Paulina criticizing AOC being a congresswoman only to run for congress herself #864] by Anna Paulina Luna (Nov 09, 2018 / Sep 16, 2019) ''Blather'' (archived from 9 Nov 2022 20:31:50 UTC).</ref>
*Like many conservatives, the "love it or leave it" attitude is only ever applied to people she disagrees with<ref>[https://archive.ph/wip/bhkvA Anna Paulina still not sure if she should leave because she doesn't like the law #809] by Anna Paulina Luna (Sep 05, 2019 / May 17, 2019) ''Blather'' (archived from 9 Nov 2022 20:34:47 UTC).</ref><ref>[https://archive.ph/wip/fTbql Anna Paulina can't decide if she should move to a different state #602] by Anna Paulina Luna (May 17, 2019 / Jun 20, 2019) ''Blather'' (archived from 9 Nov 2022 20:37:32 UTC).</ref><ref>[https://blather.io/fallacies/anna-paulina-decide-ppl-move-other-states-doublethink-logical-fallacy-535 Anna Paulina can't decide if ppl should have to move to other states #535] by Anna Paulina Luna (May 17, 2019 / Mar 15, 2019) ''Blather'' (archived from 9 Nov 2022 20:40:24 UTC).</ref>
*She was complaining about protestors harassing [[Ted Cruz]] at an airport just three months before she harassed [[Kamala Harris]] at an airport<ref>[https://archive.ph/wip/3EcTh Anna Paulina is a hypocrite #703] by Ryan Fournier (retweeted by Anna Paulina Luna) & Anna Paulina Luna (Jul 29, 2019 / Apr 27, 2019) ''Blather'' (archived from 9 Nov 2022 20:42:33 UTC).</ref>
*She's all about [[Freedom of speech#Free Speech vs Frea Speach and Freeze Peach|Free speach]] until the person exercising it says something that she doesn't like.<ref>[https://archive.ph/wip/fZTKS Anna Paulina can't decide if people should be censored #660] by Anna Paulina Luna (Jul 07, 2019 / Jul 26, 2018) ''Blather'' (archived from 9 Nov 2022 20:47:09 UTC).</ref>
*Despite the fact that Mollie Tibbets' parents urged the media to stop politicizing the death of their daughter and referred to Hispanics as "Iowans with better food,"<ref>[https://apnews.com/article/8b79bd362a524ab8a0fa73913f0aa6fa Tibbetts’ father: Hispanic locals ‘Iowans with better food’] (August 27, 2018) ''AP''.</ref> Anna continued to exploit the death of Mollie Tibbets in order to further her anti-immigrant agenda<ref>[https://archive.ph/wip/4s5G3 Anna Paulina about the media exploiting tragedies while exploiting Mollie Tibbetts' death #536] by Anna Paulina Luna (May 18, 2019 / Aug 21, 2018) ''Blather'' (archived from 9 Nov 2022 21:01:54 UTC).</ref>
*She can't decide if Hispanics are conservatives or liberals<ref>[https://archive.ph/wip/mDxKP Anna Paulina doesn't know if hispanics are conservatives or liberals #533] by Anna Paulina Luna (Jan 01, 2019 / May 19, 2019) ''Blather'' (archived from 9 Nov 2022 21:06:17 UTC).</ref>
*She got booted from a [[Fox News]] segment that she was featured as a guest on after she compared [[Hillary Clinton]] to herpes<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2018/11/23/shes-like-herpes-fox-news-guest-said-hillary-clinton-network-apologized/ ‘She’s like herpes,’ a Fox News guest said of Hillary Clinton. The network apologized.] by Alex Horton (November 24, 2018 at 9:23 a.m. EST) ''The Washington Post''.</ref>
*She claimed that sexual assault and border security are both issues that shouldn't be politicized… only to politicize both of them in the same tweet<ref>[https://archive.ph/wip/7zjf2 Anna Paulina can't remember what she said a mere seconds earlier #522] by Anna Paulina Luna (May 07, 2019) ''Blather'' (archived from 9 Nov 2022 21:09:59 UTC).</ref>

==Congressional career==
Auspiciously, Luna began her Congressional career by refusing to attend a White House reception for new members because she didn't want to follow [[COVID]] protocols.<ref name=alemany/> Soon after, she argued for the right for House members to carry firearms into committee meetings.<ref name=alemany/>

==See also==
*[[Dennis Prager|Prager "University"]]
*[[George Santos]]
*[[Brandon Tatum]] — fellow grifter who used to work at Turning Point
*[[Turning Point USA]]

==External links==
*[https://twitter.com/realannapaulina Her Twitter account]
*[https://instagram.com/realannapaulina Her Instagram account]
*[https://facebook.com/realannapaulina Her Facebook page]
*[https://blather.io/pages/twitter/realannapaulina Her logical fallacies on Blather]

==References==
{{reflist|2|80%}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Luna, Anna Paulina}}
[[Category:Alt-lite]]
[[Category:Atheophobia]]
[[Category:California]]
[[Category:Christians]]
[[Category:Clogosphere]]
[[Category:Conservative deceit]]
[[Category:Conspiracy theorists]]
[[Category:Culture wars]]
[[Category:Florida]]
[[Category:Gun nuts]]
[[Category:Internalized discrimination]]
[[Category:Internet kooks]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Members of the United States House of Representatives]]
[[Category:Propaganda]]
[[Category:Racists]]
[[Category:Right-wing activists]]
[[Category:Shysters]]
[[Category:Trolls]]

Categories: Alt-lite, Atheophobia, California, Christians, Clogosphere, Conservative deceit, Conspiracy theorists, Culture wars, Florida, Gun nuts, Internalized discrimination, Internet kooks, Living people, Members of the United States House of Representatives, Propaganda, Racists, Right-wing activists, Shysters, Trolls