RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Without intervention from the U.S. Supreme Court, the extensive redistricting conflict in Virginia seems to be nearing its conclusion.
The Virginia Supreme Court recently nullified the outcome of the state’s redistricting referendum. This decision prevents a new congressional map from being implemented, one that would have favored Democrats in 10 districts while giving Republicans an edge in just one.
Rich Meagher, a Political Science Professor at Randolph-Macon, noted that without the Supreme Court’s involvement, the redistricting process represents a significant setback for Democrats both in Virginia and nationally.
“They’re losing ground in the redistricting numbers game,” Meagher explained to 8News.
Governor Abigail Spanberger also faces challenges, as Meagher mentioned, because her focus on affordability has been overshadowed by the redistricting issue.
“It’s gonna be really hard to get back on track, not impossible, but just harder, and much harder for her to get back on track to the kinds of things she wanted to be talking about,” Meagher said.
“It’s hard for the governor to position herself as bipartisan or above partisan infighting, when this was the partisan of partisan battles,” Meagher added.
On the GOP side, Meagher said, in addition to several Republican members of Congress, Republican State Senate Minority Leader Ryan McDougle (R-Hanover), who along with others, brought the lawsuit that led to the referendum being struck down, is a big winner.
“I have not heard that McDougle is interested in making a run for office in a few years, but he has to at least consider it based on the success that he had legally and organizing the Republicans this year,” Meagher told 8News.
Democrats have filed an emergency appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court to halt the Virginia Supreme Court’s ruling on the legality of Virginia’s redistricting referendum.