Virginia Redistricting Gambit Survives After Democrats Dominate Downballot
Virginia Democrats will retain control of both chambers of the state’s Legislature after trouncing in House of Delegates elections on Tuesday, preserving the party’s push to redraw the state’s congressional districts ahead of 2026.
The party won 63 seats so far, according to the Associated Press, more than the 50-seat threshold needed to control the Legislature’s lower chamber. The party has flipped at least 12 seats, with the remaining two GOP-held seats uncalled.
Heading into Election Day, Democrats held a narrow 51-seat majority in the chamber. But that margin was enough to allow the House to approve a proposed state constitutional amendment that would allow lawmakers to bypass the state’s independent redistricting commission and draw new maps.
Virginia Democrats have yet to offer details on their new maps, but the effort marks the most advanced attempt by Democrats to draw more favorable congressional districts outside of California’s ballot measure, which also faced voters Tuesday.
Democrats in Virginia and California have said their respective redistricting endeavors are responding to the push by President Donald Trump and Republicans in Texas, Missouri, North Carolina and elsewhere to draw more Republican-leaning districts in those states.
Both chambers of the state’s Legislature will need to pass the proposed amendment again in another session after Election Day. The amendment would then need to be approved by Virginia voters before next year’s congressional primaries.
The state Senate, which Democrats control, was not on the ballot Tuesday.
The redistricting proposal does not need to be sanctioned by the governor. Democratic Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger has supported the redistricting push.
Democrats maintained control of the chamber in part through a favorable environment with relatively few vulnerable incumbents. Of the 10 House races rated “competitive” by the Virginia Public Access Project, a nonprofit that tracks elections in the state, only three were held by Democrats, while all 10 backed Kamala Harris in last year’s presidential election. Democrats won nine of those districts so far, and were leading in the remaining seat.
Popular Products
-
Large Wall Calendar Planner$55.76$27.78 -
Child Safety Cabinet Locks - Set of 6$83.56$41.78 -
USB Touchscreen Heated Fingerless Gloves$75.56$37.78 -
Golf Swing Trainer Practice Stick wit...$21.56$10.78 -
Golf Swing Training Belt$41.56$20.78