Democrats discussed possible responses after Virginia Supreme Court voided congressional map
The Facts
- The Virginia Supreme Court voided a congressional map that Democrats had expected to use in upcoming House races.
- After the ruling, Democratic lawmakers held a private call that included Virginia Democratic House members and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
- On the call, participants discussed multiple responses, including trying to flip Republican-held seats under the existing map and pursuing ways to redraw the lines.
- One idea discussed was changing the composition of the Virginia Supreme Court in hopes of restoring the voided map.
- The discussion reflected a broader Democratic effort to respond to a redistricting setback in Virginia with implications for control of U.S. House seats.
- Reports indicate Democrats did not reach a clear decision on the call about how to proceed.
How left and right are reading this
- Both agree
- A state court ruling on district lines can materially shape representation and the fight for U.S. House control, making Democrats’ response in Virginia consequential even before any clear course of action was chosen.
- They split on
- Whether the story is about redistricting’s outsized power over representation and House seats, or about the propriety of trying to alter a court’s composition after an unwelcome ruling.
Context
Why does the court ruling matter politically?
The voided map was one Democrats had expected to use in upcoming House races, so the ruling created a setback in Virginia redistricting and affected party planning for competitive congressional seats Seattle Times,Straight Arrow News.
Who took part in the private discussion?
Reports say the call included Virginia Democratic House members and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, with participants venting about the ruling and discussing possible responses Seattle Times,Newser,Straight Arrow News.
Did Democrats settle on a plan?
No. Multiple reports say participants discussed several options but showed little sign of a settled strategy or clear final plan after the call Seattle Times,Newser.
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