Virginia Democrats are poised to enter the redistricting battle with Republicans from other states later Thursday in order to counter President Donald Trump‘s agenda to add more House GOP seats.
The plan is set to be announced later Thursday when Democratic leaders in the Virginia General Assembly convene state lawmakers for a session to start Monday, the New York Times reported. Scott Surovell, the Democratic majority leader in the Virginia State Senate, confirmed the news to the outlet.
“We are coming back to address actions by the Trump administration,” Surovell told the outlet.
The Washington Examiner contacted Surovell’s office and the Democratic Party of Virginia for comment.
Virginia is set to join California in leading the Democratic Party’s push against the GOP mid-decade redistricting agenda.
California will be holding a statewide special election on Nov. 4 to let voters decide whether a new congressional map that favors Democrats should be approved.
So far, Texas and Missouri have enacted new maps that add more Republican seats in the House ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
North Carolina Republican lawmakers also recently approved their version of a new congressional map that would give one House GOP seat. The map is set to go into effect, considering Gov. Josh Stein (D-NC) is unable to veto the measure. However, it will likely face legal challenges.
In Virginia, proceeding with the redistricting plan means Democrats need to alter the state’s constitution. In order to do so, majorities in two consecutive sessions of the legislature must approve the constitutional amendment before making its way to a statewide referendum next year.
Democrats are the majority party in both legislative chambers, holding 51 seats in the Virginia House of Delegates and 21 seats in the Virginia State Senate. State senators won’t face reelection until 2027, but all 100 seats in the House of Delegates are up for grabs next month.
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Virginia Republicans are already voicing their opposition to the opposing party’s redistricting scheme.
“Looks like we’re going to have to start back up the Anti-Gerrymandering movement in Virginia. I’m hearing that our non-partisan Redistricting Commission, enshrined in our state constitution, is going to be under attack. We must protect our norms and institutions!” State Sen. Glen Sturtevant said on X. “Thankfully there were many Democrats who supported our effort to end gerrymandering in Virginia, so this will be a great opportunity for bipartisanship!”
