Democratic legislative leaders have called their rank-and-file back to Richmond on Monday for a special session meeting on redistricting.
This is the next step in Democrats’ surprise push to redraw Virginia’s congressional map before the 2026 midterms. The process is complicated, but it could yield up to three more seats for Democrats.
Democrats would need to amend the state constitution to undo Virginia’s redistricting commission. To do that, the General Assembly would need to pass an amendment in two separate legislative sessions with one general election in between them. Then voters would need to approve the amendment.
That means both chambers of the legislature need to first pass an amendment next week before Virginia’s Nov. 4 elections and then again in January; when the new legislature convenes.
Expect Republicans to sue. One possible argument: early voting began in September, meaning a court could decide they’re already too late to pass an amendment before the general election.
The map. A new map would likely target three Republicans: Rep. Rob Wittman in eastern Virginia, Rep. Jen Kiggans in Virginia Beach and Rep. John McGuire in central Virginia.
Wittman’s seat could be extended up toward Northern Virginia, while Kiggans’s district could absorb Norfolk. McGuire’s seat could take on the city of Roanoke, although it would likely still be fairly competitive.
Democrats would also want to shore up Democratic Rep. Eugene Vindman.
Illinois News. Democrats in the Illinois congressional delegation are in talks to issue a joint statement today urging the state legislature to take on redistricting, according to multiple sources close to the process.
This is big because Democrats in Springfield seem wary of redistricting and likely need a nudge. And the delegation itself has been concerned with how a redraw would affect Frontliners and historically Black districts.
Redistricting adjacent news. The Proposition 50 ballot initiative and California’s extremely transparent financial disclosure laws have given us a brief peek at super PAC fundraising.
The GOP-aligned Congressional Leadership Fund and the Democratic-aligned House Majority PAC both had to file reports with the California Secretary of State because they are spending on Prop 50.
HMP reported $45.9 million in contributions between Jan. 1 and Oct. 18. It ended this period with $29.7 million in the bank.
CLF reported $43.6 million in contributions the same period and $27.7 million in cash on hand.
This is just a brief snapshot in time. Both groups are constantly raising and spending. But the super PACs only file twice in 2025, so our most recent FEC data for them runs only through June 30. California is giving us an early look.
