BLACKSBURG, Va. (AP) – Democratic candidate for Virginia governor Abigail Spanberger said Monday that she would not oppose a push by the Democratic-controlled Legislature to redistrict the state’s House of Representatives ahead of next year’s midterm elections.
Earlier in the day, Virginia Democrats began taking steps to change the state constitution to allow for a new congressional map, but the change would ultimately need voter approval before becoming law. The changes are aimed at countering President Donald Trump’s push to create more partisan districts in several Republican-run states.
In an interview on his campaign bus just eight days before Election Day, Spanberger told The Associated Press that it’s unclear whether the House redistricting will be completed in time for the 2026 midterm elections, but he doesn’t intend to stand in the way of Democratic leaders in the state General Assembly.
“What they’re doing right now is keeping alive the option of taking action for the future,” said Spanberger, who will become governor in January if he wins next week. “I like to plan everything, but in this case, since I’m on a bus tour and there are eight days left (until voting day), I’m going to leave this step to the General Assembly and let’s discuss the calendar issue later.”
Her position marks a change of sorts from this summer, when she said she had “no plans to re-elect Virginia.”
Virginia Republicans, including Spanberger’s Republican opponent, Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earl Sears, slammed the move at a news conference outside the state Capitol.
“Ladies and gentlemen, this is not a party issue. This is a matter of principle,” said Earl Sears, standing in front of a podium that read “Spanberger Sideshow Sessions.” “Voters established an independent redistricting commission. Only voters have the right to decide the future, not gerrymandering Democrats.”
Democratic-led Congress begins push to bring Virginia into redistricting battle after california It made a similar move earlier this year.
If Democrats win three more seats in the U.S. House of Representatives, they will gain control of the House and, with it, the power to block President Trump’s policies. But Republicans in other states, encouraged by President Trump, are actively working to extend their advantage with redistricting efforts of their own.
Republican lawmakers texas, missouri and north carolina He has already approved a new congressional map that will give Republicans more seats. Indiana’s Republican governor also said Monday that he would schedule a special legislative session. redraw parliamentary boundaries.
In Virginia, the House of Representatives amended its agenda on Monday to allow for constitutional amendments that include redistricting, but details will be announced at a later date. The state Senate is expected to follow suit this week.
Democratic state Sen. Schuyler VanValkenburg, who supports Virginia’s current redistricting law, said she still supports the idea of a bipartisan redistricting commission, “but I’m also not going to allow Donald Trump to go around states with majorities he likes and try to make sure he doesn’t lose.”
Virginia is currently represented by six Democrats and five Republicans running for office. established by the court in 2021 after a bipartisan committee. Couldn’t agree on the map.
Because the Virginia Redistricting Commission Constitutional amendments approved by votersVoters must agree to changes to the redistricting process. Any proposed constitutional amendment would have to pass the General Assembly in two sessions and then be put to a statewide vote.
Democrats are rushing to hold the first legislative vote of the year, with a second vote after the new Congress begins on Jan. 14.
