BLACKSBURG, Va. (AP) — Abigail Spanberger, the Democratic candidate for Virginia governor, stated Monday that she wouldn’t oppose a push by the state’s Democratic-controlled legislature to redraw congressional districts forward of subsequent yr’s midterm elections.
Virginia Democrats earlier within the day started taking steps to alter the state’s structure to permit for a brand new congressional map, a change that should finally be permitted by voters earlier than it turns into legislation. The change is designed to counter President Donald Trump’s push to create extra partisan districts in a number of Republican-run states.
In an interview on her marketing campaign bus simply eight days earlier than Election Day, Spanberger instructed The Related Press that she wouldn’t stand in the way in which of the Democratic leaders within the state Common Meeting, though it is unclear whether or not congressional districts might be modified in time for the 2026 midterm elections.
“What they’re doing at this second is maintaining alive the choice of taking motion into the longer term,” stated Spanberger, who would turn out to be the governor in January if she wins subsequent week. “Whereas I wish to plan for the whole lot, on this one, as a result of I’m on the bus tour, as a result of we’re eight days away (from Election Day), I’m like, I’ll let the Common Meeting take this step, after which we’ll speak calendar points later.”
Her place marks a shift of types from this summer time when she stated she had “no plans to redistrict Virginia.”
Virginia Republicans, together with Spanberger’s Republican opponent, Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, blasted the transfer in a information convention outdoors the statehouse.
“This, my pals, shouldn’t be about celebration, it’s about precept,” Earle-Sears stated, standing in entrance of a podium marked with the phrases, “Spanberger’s sideshow session.” “The voters created an impartial redistricting fee. Solely the voters have the best to determine a future, not gerrymandering Democrats.”
The Democratic-led legislature’s push to enter Virginia right into a redistricting battle comes after California made an analogous transfer earlier this yr.
If Democrats achieve simply three extra seats within the U.S. Home of Representatives, they might take management of the Home and with it, the ability to impede Trump’s agenda. However Republicans in different states, at Trump’s urging, are working aggressively to increase their benefit in redistricting strikes of their very own.
Republican lawmakers in Texas, Missouri and North Carolina have already permitted new congressional maps geared toward successful extra GOP seats. The Republican governor of Indiana additionally stated Monday he’s scheduling a particular session to redraw congressional boundaries.
In Virginia on Monday, the Home amended its agenda to permit a redistricting constitutional modification to be put ahead, with particulars to return later. The state senate is anticipated to observe go well with this week.
Democratic state Sen. Schuyler VanValkenburg, who has championed Virginia’s present redistricting legislation, stated he nonetheless helps the idea of a bipartisan redistricting fee, “however I’m additionally not going to let Donald Trump go round to states which have the majorities that he likes and attempt to make it in order that he can’t lose.”
Virginia is presently represented by six Democrats and 5 Republicans who ran in districts established by a courtroom in 2021 after a bipartisan fee did not agree on a map.
As a result of Virginia’s redistricting fee was created by a voter-approved constitutional modification, voters should log out on any modifications to the redistricting course of. A proposed constitutional modification must go the Common Meeting in two separate periods after which be positioned on the statewide poll.
Democrats are scrambling to carry that first legislative vote this yr with a view to take a second vote after a brand new legislative session begins Jan. 14.
