Virginia Democrats recently issued a surprising notification to their members, including Senate President Winsome Earl Sears, about a special session set to begin on Monday, focused on redistricting. This comes as they navigate their control over both chambers in Richmond.
According to records from the Virginia Public Access Project, a group chaired by former Attorney General Eric Holder contributed $150,000 each to several campaigns, including Abigail Spanberger’s and the Virginia House Democratic Caucus.
This week, House Speaker Don Scott Jr. (D-Portsmouth) sent a letter urging members to gather in Richmond for the special session to properly address redistricting before the upcoming business is presented to the plenary session.
There’s a bit of tension here. Democrats argue that the Republican-led redistricting has forced them into a more partisan atmosphere, while Republicans maintain that nothing has changed. Scott had every right to initiate a special session since it technically never concluded months ago.
Senate Minority Leader Scott Surovell (D-Mount Vernon) didn’t respond to a request for comment regarding the special session from Fox News Digital, but he did express to other reporters that the session was essential to counteract the successful redrawing of maps in Republican-dominant states, even mentioning former President Donald Trump in this context.
On the Republican side, House Minority Leader Terry Kilgore (R-Cumberland Gap) voiced his determination to legally challenge what he termed a power grab in light of the Democrats’ actions.
In 2022, the Democratic Party, under the leadership of then-Senator George Barker from Fairfax, approved a state constitutional amendment that aimed to hand over redistricting powers to a semi-independent commission. This effort had backing from some Republicans too.
However, it seems the Democrats are now contemplating either altering or outright revoking this commission’s authority depending on how the next redistricting bills shape up.
While constitutional amendments can’t directly redraw maps, they provide a means for Democrats to modify state constitutions in ways they find necessary.
For their part, Congress must pass an amended resolution by a simple majority before Election Day. This measure would then have to be reapproved in January or February, with House elections acting as a public accountability mechanism, per state law. If it clears this winter, it could be placed on the ballot for voters.
The financial contribution to Spanberger’s campaign from Holder’s PAC stands out, as governors have the authority to orchestrate elections, which must occur regardless of circumstances.
If Earl Sears secures a win, it could coincide with the 2026 midterm elections, potentially boosting voter turnout. Spanberger, on the other hand, indicated she could choose any date post-summer, likely a time of lower attendance.
Sears’ campaign suggested this move might be a strategy to disrupt her campaign efforts against Spanberger, adding another layer of complexity to this unfolding situation.
On Holder’s PAC website, Spanberger’s image is prominently displayed, alongside three justices from the Pennsylvania Supreme Court who are due to remain in office this year. Pennsylvania’s court system is also embroiled in a redistricting dispute between its Democratic governor and a partially Republican-controlled legislature.
