{"id":2587097,"date":"2026-04-04T10:17:02","date_gmt":"2026-04-04T14:17:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/former-va-governor-blasts-spanberger-over-redistricting-debate-refusal\/"},"modified":"2026-04-04T10:18:34","modified_gmt":"2026-04-04T14:18:34","slug":"former-va-governor-blasts-spanberger-over-redistricting-debate-refusal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/former-va-governor-blasts-spanberger-over-redistricting-debate-refusal\/","title":{"rendered":"Former VA governor blasts Spanberger over redistricting debate refusal"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">18<\/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%2Fformer-va-governor-blasts-spanberger-over-redistricting-debate-refusal%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=2587097&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>The article reports that former Virginia Gov. George Allen criticized Rep. Abigail Spanberger after she declined to debate him about Virginia\u2019s redistricting.Allen had proposed a one-hour, <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >publicly televised virtual debate<\/a> to discuss a referendum that would redraw the state&#8217;s congressional map to give Democrats a 10-1 advantage; Spanberger\u2019s team said she would not participate on the requested date and would rather focus on governing and bill review. Spanberger has supported the redistricting plan, while Allen and former Gov. Glenn Youngkin oppose it,calling it an \u201cillegal power grab.\u201d The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/latest-poll-majority-of-americans-want-republican-party-to-control-the-senate-sean-hannity\/\" title=\"LATEST POLL: Majority of Americans Want Republican Party to Control the Senate | Sean Hannity\">special election<\/a> on April 21 centers on this redistricting push, which Republicans have challenged in court; if approved by voters and allowed by the courts, the General Assembly could implement the map for the 2026 midterms. Early voting began on March 6.  <\/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\">Former Virginia governor blasts Spanberger over redistricting debate refusal<\/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_2551338\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>Gov. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/abigail-spanberger\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"11780\">Abigail Spanberger <\/a>(D-VA) declined to <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/debates\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"45\">debate<\/a> former Gov. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/george-allen\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"5391\">George Allen<\/a> (R-VA) over Virginia Democrats&rsquo; <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/redistricting\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"241\">redistricting<\/a> push, leading Allen to publicly criticize Spanberger on Friday.<\/p>\n<p>As the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/virginia\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"96\">Old Dominion <\/a>gets closer to its April 21 special election on whether to redistrict the commonwealth in favor of four more Democratic House seats, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/no-spike-in-florida-coronavirus-cases-despite-no-mask-mandate\/\" title=\"No Spike in Florida Coronavirus Cases Despite No Mask Mandate\">state&#038;rsquo<\/a>;s current governor has been at odds with former Republican governors who are against the move.<\/p>\n<p>Allen expressed he was &ldquo;disappointed&rdquo; to hear of Spanberger&rsquo;s refusal and subsequently amended his request to ask Spanberger to participate in a one-hour, publicly-televised virtual debate.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>&ldquo;You choose the date. You choose the moderator,&rdquo; Allen wrote in his <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/AnnaBryson18\/status\/2040024788450648317?s=20\">follow-up letter<\/a> to Spanberger. &ldquo;A civil and reasoned discussion of the issues will benefit voters and will set a positive example of integrity and how public issues and policy can be discussed in our Commonwealth.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Spanberger denied Allen&rsquo;s request to debate on Wednesday, with her spokeswoman Libby Wiet telling the <em>Richmond Times-Dispatch<\/em> that the governor will instead focus on governing and bill review.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Voters know the proposed map because the&nbsp;General Assembly&nbsp;has passed it. Voters know that this process preserves&nbsp;Virginia&rsquo;s&nbsp;bipartisan commission for the next post-Census redistricting,&rdquo; Wiet <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dailypress.com\/2026\/04\/01\/former-virginia-governor-debate-spanberger-redistricting\/?utm_campaign=mrf-twitter-Daily_Press&amp;mrfcid=2026040169cab2906f2b9709b9e4b8d2\">told<\/a> the outlet.<\/p>\n<p>While Spanberger has <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4502636\/abigail-spanberger-makes-direct-appeal-voters-support-new-maps-democrats-control\/\">appeared in a video advertisement<\/a> for the pro-redistricting campaign and also early-voted &lsquo;yes&rsquo; on the measure, Allen and former Gov. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/glenn-youngkin\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"1456\">Glenn Youngkin <\/a>(R-VA) have each voiced their opposition to what Youngkin called an &ldquo;illegal power grab to gerrymander the Commonwealth.&rdquo; Allen challenged Spanberger on Monday to a series of three public debates on the redistricting referendum.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Virginia voters expect a robust and transparent discussion of the issues. So, I am inviting Governor Spanberger to join me in a series of public debates to look Virginians in the eye and explain each side of this referendum vote,&rdquo; Allen said in a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/nogerrymanderingva.org\/updates\/governor-allen-invites-governor-spanberger-to-debate-ahead-of-april-21-referendum\">statement<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The <em>Washington Examiner<\/em> has reached out to Spanberger for comment.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4502636\/abigail-spanberger-makes-direct-appeal-voters-support-new-maps-democrats-control\/\">ABIGAIL SPANBERGER MAKES DIRECT APPEAL FOR VOTERS TO SUPPORT MAP THAT WOULD GIVE DEMOCRATS 10-1 CONTROL<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Early voting began on March 6 for the special election, with the official referendum date on April 21. The redistricting battle has faced several legal hurdles from Republicans who are challenging the move to give the commonwealth&rsquo;s U.S. House delegation a 10-1 Democratic advantage, a push that came out of the Democratic-held General Assembly.<\/p>\n<p>If Virginians vote in favor of the April referendum and the plan&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/4463622\/republican-national-committee-sues-virginia-election-officials-redistricting\/\">wins in the state court<\/a>&nbsp;system, the state General Assembly can install its&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4466148\/virginia-democrats-pass-proposed-redistricting-map-amid-court-battle\/\">map<\/a>&nbsp;for the 2026 midterm elections.<\/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>Allen slams Spanberger over redistricting debate<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3976,"featured_media":2587098,"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\/03\/AP26006648800111.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651,538],"tags":[3896,16985,32249,74145],"class_list":["post-2587097","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","category-washington-examiner","tag-debate","tag-redistricting","tag-spanberger","tag-virginia-politics-2"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/AP26006648800111.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2587097","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\/3976"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2587097"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2587097\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2587101,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2587097\/revisions\/2587101"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2587098"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2587097"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2587097"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2587097"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}