'Voters have spoken': Politicians react to crucial Virginia redistricting referendum

Voters in Virginia on Tuesday said 'yes' to new congressional maps intended to redistrict the state and boost Democrats' chances of retaking the House of Representatives in the upcoming midterm elections in November. The referendum marks the latest blow to President Donald Trump's effort to use mid-decade redistricting to preserve his control of Congress, and it has been met with celebration by Democratic leaders. Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger claimed the move marked an end to the President's claim of being "entitled" to more Republican seats in Congress, as GOP leaders held out hope for similar moves in other states to help them.

The redistricting battle began last year after Trump pressed the Republican-controlled legislature in Texas to redraw that state's congressional maps to oust as many as five Democratic House lawmakers in the midterm elections, according to The Guardian. California then retaliated by approving new maps that could flip five Republican seats, and now, Virginia has joined in on the effort. Spanberger, the newly elected Democratic governor, backed the effort led by national figures, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. The referendum may now help Democrats win four additional House seats in November's midterm elections. "Virginia voters have spoken, and tonight they approved a temporary measure to push back against a President who claims he is 'entitled' to more Republican seats in Congress," she said in a statement. She added that she would be looking to campaign with candidates across the Commonwealth to ensure Virginia's bipartisan redistricting commission gets active again after the 2030 consensus as well. 

Former President Barack Obama, who also led the campaign, congratulated the people of Virginia for stopping the Republicans from tilting the midterm elections in their favor. "Thanks for showing us what it looks like to stand up for our democracy and fight back," he wrote on X. Meanwhile, California Governor Gavin Newsom hailed the referendum as a victory, claiming Democrats have fought "fire with fire" and they have won. He gave his verdict on the upcoming elections, claiming his party will take "Congress back." 

On the other hand, after the narrow loss, Republicans are pointing fingers as Trump's national gerrymandering battle slips into a stalemate. "You'd be hard-pressed to find a single Republican tonight who doesn't think the GOP should've done more in Virginia. It actually hurts more that it was so close," a GOP operative told Politico on condition of anonymity. Since the referendum is still subject to a challenge before the state supreme court, which could overturn the results, Virginia House GOP Leader Terry Kilgore claimed the process was tilted from the start, and the courts would do their jobs.

"Tonight marks the end of the campaign. It does not mark the end of this fight. We will continue to stand for fair maps, transparent process, and equal representation for every Virginian," he wrote in his statement. Furthermore, as per Politico, pressure is now growing on Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to make up for the loss with a GOP-led redistricting effort in his state.