Spanberger’s national profile at stake in tight gerrymandering referendum

Published April 21, 2026 7:00am ET



Not yet 100 days into her term, Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA) is facing a make-or-break vote on a sweeping gerrymandering push that could cement her power or expose early weakness on the national stage.

Virginians will head to the polls on Tuesday to vote on a referendum to redraw the state’s congressional map mid-decade. If successful, Virginia’s current 11-seat congressional delegation would transform from a 6-5 Democratic edge to a 10-1 Democratic lock.

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