Virginia Democrats’ gerrymandering effort went from champagne-popping to damage control in a matter of days.
The Virginia Supreme Court on Friday struck down a Democrat-backed referendum that would have redrawn the state’s congressional map ahead of the 2026 midterms, ruling that the measure violated the state constitution’s required process for amendments. That means the map will remain at a 6-5 seat advantage for Democrats as opposed to the 10-1 advantage they sought with the referendum.
The ruling was a major blow to Democrats, who had poured tens of millions into the effort. The pro-redistricting group Virginians for Fair Elections reportedly raised more than $64 million, reportedly including nearly $40 million from a group aligned with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. It was also an embarrassing reversal for Virginia Senate President Pro Tempore Louise Lucas, who took a boastful victory lap on social media before the court struck down the redraw.
Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones and other officials filed a motion asking the court to delay its order, but even that filing drew attention for misspelling “Virginia” as “Virgnia” and “senator” as “sentator” on the first page.
Democrats are now reportedly discussing lowering the retirement age for Virginia Supreme Court justices from 75 to 54. That arbitrary age limit would force every current justice off the bench and allow Democrats to appoint replacements. Democratic Gov. Abigail Spanberger has not publicly endorsed the idea.
For now, the old map remains in play and Democrats’ $64 million gerrymandering push has become a political headache rather than a midterm advantage.
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