Virginia Redistricting Results
Hey everyone, welcome back to Unfit to Print. Today, we’ll explore the recent redistricting outcomes in Virginia, the indictment of the Southern Poverty Law Center, Trump’s ceasefire extension, and the removal of Democratic Representative Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick.
The Lobster District
On Tuesday, Virginians approved a new redistricting map introduced by the Democrats. This change allows affluent Democratic voters in northern Virginia to outweigh those in rural areas.
The modified districts shift the balance of power significantly from a 6-5 split to a 10-1 in favor of Democrats, despite the fact that the state narrowly leaned towards Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris by just under six points in the recent election. Democrats argue this is a “temporary measure” intended to counteract President Donald Trump until the 2030 Census.
Former President Barack Obama and Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger, who campaigned as a moderate Democrat for the 2025 election, were notable backers of the new map.
The map itself—often referred to as the “lobster district”—is quite striking. Virginia’s new 7th congressional district starts in the blue-tinted Fairfax County before diverging into two arms just north of Charlottesville, home to the University of Virginia. The proposed 8th district also begins in Fairfax and winds its way down towards the area east of Richmond.
The ballot measure approved was reportedly skewed, framing the change to limit rural voters’ influence as a way to “restore fairness.” The Democrat-led state legislature crafted the ballot language to read, “Should the Constitution of Virginia be amended to allow the General Assembly to temporarily adopt new congressional districts to restore fairness in the upcoming elections, while ensuring Virginia’s standard redistricting process resumes for all future redistricting after the 2030 census?”
Virginia Republicans initiated several campaigns to counter the ballot initiative, including one spearheaded by former Attorney General Jason Miyares, and coordinated efforts with the Republican National Committee, as per exclusive insights. Despite expectations that rural voters would mobilize significantly to resist the perceived Democratic takeover, the measure ultimately passed by about two points. Just for context, Spanberger won her election against Republican Lt. Governor Winsome Sears by around 15 points.
