{"id":2564575,"date":"2026-02-05T13:26:02","date_gmt":"2026-02-05T18:26:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/virginia-democrats-agree-to-new-map-that-gives-republicans-just-one-seat\/"},"modified":"2026-02-05T13:28:08","modified_gmt":"2026-02-05T18:28:08","slug":"virginia-democrats-agree-to-new-map-that-gives-republicans-just-one-seat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/virginia-democrats-agree-to-new-map-that-gives-republicans-just-one-seat\/","title":{"rendered":"Virginia Democrats agree to new map that gives Republicans just one seat"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">24<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fvirginia-democrats-agree-to-new-map-that-gives-republicans-just-one-seat%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2564575&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Virginia Democrats announced a proposed congressional map that would create a 10-1 split in favor of Democrats (10 Democrat-leaning seats and 1 Republican-leaning seat), a major shift from the current 6-5 balance. This follows discussions of a 9-2 Democrat-favoring option and reflects a broader move away from the existing map toward a map with a stronger Democratic edge.<\/p>\n<p>Key steps and challenges:<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; The proposed 10-1 map would require approval in the state Senate and be tied to a statewide referendum. The official map was expected to be released soon, with the referendum planned for April to amend the state constitution to let the legislature redraw the map, potentially in time for the 2026 elections.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; The path forward is complex by legal challenges.A Tazewell County judge ruled that the legislature\u2019s redistricting referendum process was improperly passed. Democrats are appealing, and the case could reach the Virginia Supreme Court. If the appeal succeeds, voters may still decide in the april 21 referendum.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Virginia currently uses an independent commission to draw its <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/democrats-seek-redistricting-changes-in-key-states-to-regain-house-majority\/\" title=\"... aim to alter ... in crucial states for House majority recovery.\">congressional map due<\/a> to the state constitution. Allowing partisan redistricting would require a constitutional amendment, similar to processes in California.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; The debate over redistricting is part of a broader, nationwide struggle as <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >parties seek favorable maps ahead<\/a> of the 2026 midterms. Recent movements in states like Maryland and Texas illustrate the contentious landscape.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Context from the 2024 election: Virginia voters supported Kamala Harris over Donald Trump, which is part of the political backdrop to these redistricting efforts.<\/p>\n<p>in short, Virginia\u2019s proposed 10-1 map aims to dramatically tilt depiction toward Democrats, but its fate hinges on legislative approval, a potential constitutional amendment, and ongoing litigation.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Virginia Democrats agree to new map that gives Republicans just one seat<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2495733\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/virginia\/\">Virginia<\/a> Democrats <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/PollTracker2024\/status\/2019437730577711501?s=20\">announced<\/a> on Thursday that they agreed on a proposed <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/redistricting\/\">congressional map<\/a> that would include 10 Democrat-leaning seats and just one Republican-leaning seat.<\/p>\n<p>Virginia lawmakers previously debated a similar <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/democratic-party\/\">Democrat-favoring<\/a> map that had a 9-2 split. Both options reflect a strong shift from the current map, which has six Democratic and five Republican seats.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4447445\/trump-slams-thomas-massie-moron-prayer-breakfast\/\">Trump slams &#8216;moron&#8217; Thomas Massie at prayer breakfast<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/4446999\/schumer-jeffries-condition-dhs-funding-ten-demands-ice-reform\/\">Schumer and Jeffries condition DHS funding on 10 demands for ICE reform<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4446743\/georgia-republican-barry-loudermilk-forgoes-reelection\/\">Georgia GOP Rep. Barry Loudermilk forgoes reelection bid after longtime stability<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>In the 2024 presidential election, Virginia voters supported former Vice President Kamala Harris with 51.8% of the vote compared to 46.1% for President Donald Trump.<\/p>\n<p>In an X post, Virginia Senate President Pro Tempore <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/SenLouiseLucas\/status\/2018687057237807476?s=20\">Louise Lucas, a Democrat, announced<\/a> that the 10-1 map secured the 21 votes needed to pass the state Senate. Another <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/TylerEnglander\/status\/2019432110613000356?s=20\">photo posted on X<\/a> showing Lucas next to Democratic Virginia House Speaker Don Scott said the two bodies agreed to a 10-1 map.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Donald Trump knows he is going to lose the midterms, he knows it,&rdquo; Lucas said after an agreement was reached.<\/p>\n<p>The official map will be released on Friday, but it still needs voter approval in an April referendum.<\/p>\n<p>A spokesperson for Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA) <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/Jaaavis\/status\/2019449011673964759?s=20\">said state elections officials<\/a> have said the map will be used in the midterm elections, according to the <em>Virginia Scope<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;The Governor&rsquo;s priority has been upholding the integrity of Virginia&rsquo;s elections,&rdquo; the spokesperson said. &ldquo;Her team has been working throughout this process to make sure any proposed map could actually be implemented on the quick timeline.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-wp-embed is-provider-datawrapper wp-block-embed-datawrapper\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\"> <iframe class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" title=\"Which states are trying to enact new maps for the midterms\" src=\"https:\/\/datawrapper.dwcdn.net\/gyDC7\/6\/#?secret=0amTTgykqY\" data-secret=\"0amTTgykqY\" scrolling=\"no\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"493\"><\/iframe> <\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p>The path forward is complicated, as legal challenges have already arisen in the redistricting efforts.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Last week, a Tazewell County Circuit Court judge <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4435981\/virginia-judge-halts-democrats-efforts-for-redistricting-referendum-in-april\/\">ruled<\/a> that the legislature&rsquo;s constitutional amendment to redistrict the congressional map was improperly passed.<\/p>\n<p>The judge said there were procedural errors in the special session used to advance it after the first of the two sessions to vote on the map occurred during early voting for the 2025 elections.<\/p>\n<p>Democrats are appealing the decision, and the case could reach the Virginia Supreme Court.<\/p>\n<p>If the appeal succeeds, voters may decide in the April 21 <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/4422472\/virginia-referendum-redistricting-plan-amendment-passes-state-senate\/\">referendum<\/a> whether to amend the state constitution to allow the legislature to redraw the map, possibly in time for the 2026 midterm elections.<\/p>\n<p>In Virginia, establishing a partisan gerrymander necessitates a constitutional amendment through a ballot measure because the state&rsquo;s congressional map is currently drawn by a constitutionally mandated independent commission. This legal process for bypassing independent redistricting mirrors the requirements found in California.<\/p>\n<p>Virginia&rsquo;s redistricting debate has unfolded against a backdrop of intense nationwide battles over congressional map lines, driven in part by both parties&rsquo; efforts to shape the House before the 2026 midterm elections.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Lucas said Trump has called on states such as Texas to approve Republican-favored maps.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;We made a promise to level the playing field,&rdquo; Lucas said. &ldquo;Trump started this mess, and Virginia is going to finish it.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Neighboring <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4443301\/divisions-and-legal-threats-handicap-redistricting-bid-by-maryland-democrats\/\">Maryland<\/a> has also tried to redraw congressional lines to favor Democrats, but the measure has faced opposition. Maryland Senate President Bill Ferguson, a Democrat, has been a roadblock in passing such a map, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/top-us-banks-under-investigation-over-esg-and-climate-action\/\" title=\"Top US Banks Under Investigation Over ESG and Climate Action\">citing legal concerns<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4435981\/virginia-judge-halts-democrats-efforts-for-redistricting-referendum-in-april\/\"><strong>VIRGINIA JUDGE HALTS DEMOCRATS&rsquo; EFFORTS FOR REDISTRICTING REFERENDUM IN APRIL<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Earlier redraws in Republican-led <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/supreme-court\/3908107\/supreme-court-texas-redrawn-congressional-map\/\">Texas<\/a> enacted a map designed to yield additional GOP seats. Legal disputes over the new congressional map made it all the way to the Texas Supreme Court, which ruled in favor of the GOP-favoring map.<\/p>\n<p>Democratic voters in California approved a ballot initiative that would redraw its congressional districts in a way that flipped up to five Republican seats. After facing challenges from the Trump administration, the Supreme Court <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/supreme-court\/4446110\/supreme-court-allows-california-use-democrat-friendly-congressional-map-2026\/\">allowed<\/a> the new map to be used in the 2026 elections.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Virginia Dems back 10-1 map; GOP only 1 seat<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4130,"featured_media":2564576,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/AP26019771341116.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[548,546,538],"tags":[3685,16985,3756,5468],"class_list":["post-2564575","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-conservative-news-daily","category-the-federalist","category-washington-examiner","tag-democrats","tag-redistricting","tag-republicans","tag-virginia"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/AP26019771341116.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2564575","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4130"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2564575"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2564575\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2564583,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2564575\/revisions\/2564583"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2564576"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2564575"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2564575"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2564575"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}