Virginia Democrats are attempting to create a new congressional map in 2026 that could help them win four new seats.
Amid efforts in other states to make maps more favorable to Democrats or Republicans, Virginia House of Delegates Speaker Don Scott outlined the state’s plans to do the same at a meeting of the Virginia Property Owners Alliance.
Scott said President Donald Trump was “bullying” other states to redraw their congressional maps, causing Virginia to do the same. “We didn’t want to have to do this,” he said. “This was done because Donald Trump told Texas, Indiana, North Carolina—our neighbors—to rig their elections.”
The speaker said a new map could change the balance of the state legislature from six Democrats and five Republicans to 10 Democrats and one Republican, meaning Democrats would gain four more seats.
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Newsweek contacted the Democratic Party of Virginia and the Republican Party of Virginia for comment outside normal business hours.
Why It Matters
Republicans and Democrats have been engaged in a redistricting war over the past few months, with both parties attempting to draw new state maps to affect the results of future votes.
Redistricting could have a major effect on upcoming elections—including the November 2026 midterms, which would affect the balance of power in Congress and, in turn, Trump’s ability to carry out his agenda. Republicans have a 219-213 majority in the House of Representatives, which is set to narrow further in January when Republican Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia resigns, placing greater importance on each seat.
What To Know
Virginia’s redistricting plans were first reported in October when Democrats in the state legislature recommended an amendment that would allow it to bypass the bipartisan commission the draws Virginia’s maps.
Scott said changing the makeup of Virginia’s state delegation from six Democrats and five Republicans to 10 Democrats and one Republican was “not out of the realm” with new maps.
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Mark Shanahan, who teaches American politics at the University of Surrey in the U.K., told Newsweek: “The Virginia plans are contingent on what happens in other states. If these remain mired in court action, it’s unlikely Virginia’s plans will progress. The mid-decade redistricting began as a Trump-inspired move to secure the House for the GOP, but as well as being caught up in legal challenges, every red state move is being matched by blue states. It’s less and less likely that redistricting will deliver a decisive result in 2026.”
On November 4, California voters passed Proposition 50, an amendment put forth by Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom in response to Texas’ redistricting efforts. The proposition would temporarily revise the state’s congressional map, a move expected to boost Democrats in future elections.
Republican lawmakers in Louisiana have also recently moved forward with plans that could allow mid-decade redistricting ahead of next year’s midterm elections. But similar efforts have faced issues in other states, including Texas, where federal judges ruled against a Republican-drawn congressional map.
The three-judge panel wrote in the ruling, “Substantial evidence shows that Texas racially gerrymandered the 2025 Map.” Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has said he will file an appeal with the Supreme Court and ask for a stay of the order.
What People Are Saying
Virginia Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell, a Democrat, told WAMU’s The Politics Hour on November 7: “There’s two seats that are pretty obviously in play. And after that it’ll probably get pretty hard, but you know, anything’s possible.”
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What Happens Next
For the Virginia redistricting to go ahead, there would have to be an election on whether to adopt the amendment allowing the legislature to redraw maps.
Meanwhile, redistricting conflicts are likely to intensify as the midterms approach. Republican-led Florida is also considering redistricting plans, while New Jersey Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill, a Democrat, has said she is open to it.
We’re highlighting the many threads that make Virginia so special
As we approach the 250th anniversary of the United States and Virginia, we’re embarking on a journey to celebrate the rich history of the place we call home. (WSLS 10)
Virginia is filled with so much history just waiting to be explored. As we mark the 250th anniversary of the United States and Virginia, we’re celebrating this milestone with a new series: Patchwork 250.
The series will highlight the many threads that make Virginia so special and celebrate every patch (whether that’s a remarkable person, an unforgettable location or a memorable event).
As this new initiative gets underway, we’d love to hear from you. Share your favorite pieces of history and be a part of Virginia’s ongoing story.
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Using Pin It or the form below, let us know: what’s a unique piece of history from your community that you think more people should know about?
Click here for more details.
Copyright 2025 by WSLS 10 – All rights reserved.
About the Author
Jazmine Otey headshot
Jazmine Otey
Jazmine Otey joined the 10 News team in February 2021.
A fatal collision between a motorcycle and a pickup truck on Thursday evening has claimed a life and prompted a significant road closure in South Reno.
The Nevada Highway Patrol (NHP) responded to reports of the crash at approximately 5:29 p.m. on February 26. The incident occurred on northbound South Virginia Street, just north of Damonte Ranch Parkway.
According to the Nevada State Police, the rider of the motorcycle, an adult male, was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency medical personnel. The driver of the pickup truck remained on-site, though no further details regarding other injuries or the cause of the crash have been released. Northbound South Virginia Street: Completely shut down from Damonte Ranch Parkway to Bishop Manogue Drive.
Southbound South Virginia Street: Open, but expect “rubbernecking” delays as drivers pass the emergency vehicles. Officials expect the northbound lanes to remain closed until at least 11:30 p.m. as the NHP Highway Patrol Division completes their investigation.
A new effort is being led by Commonwealth Attorney Krystyn Reid, with support from Sen. Danny Diggs to help missing persons. (Ron Lach/Pexels.com)
HAMPTON ROADS— A proposed initiative known as The Guardian Network seeks to strengthen coordination and public access to verified information when children, seniors, and vulnerable adults go missing in Virginia.
The effort is being led by Commonwealth Attorney Krystyn Reid, with support from Sen. Danny Diggs through a budget amendment to SB30. If the amendment passes, development would move forward through the Virginia State Police.
Reid said the idea grew from her years of public service.
“The difference between politics and public service is simple,” Reid said. “One is what you say. The other is what you do.”
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Reid began her career representing domestic violence survivors and said she witnessed firsthand how quickly families can be thrown into crisis.
“When someone does not make it home, that is a family’s worst moment,” Reid said. “The Guardian Network comes from a belief that we can strengthen coordination in those first critical hours and better protect vulnerable communities.”
The network is designed to complement existing alert systems such as AMBER, Silver, Ashanti and CODI alerts. Participation would be voluntary for both families and the public.
“It does not replace them. It reinforces them,” Reid said. “What we lack is one centralized, accessible place to see verified information. This is about coordination and clarity.”
Currently, information can be fragmented, she said, making it harder for families and communities to respond effectively.
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“Families in crisis should not have to search multiple platforms,” Reid said. “Public safety requires structure. Our response should be organized and accessible.”
The United Way of the Virginia Peninsula has expressed support for the initiative, citing its alignment with the organization’s mission to improve lives by advancing education, financial stability and health.
“Children are the highest age demographic experiencing eviction and homelessness, which creates unique vulnerabilities including separation, exploitation and trafficking,” said Charvalla West of United Way of the Virginia Peninsula. “Seniors face increasing isolation, housing instability and caregiver strain in what many describe as the ‘Silver Tsunami’ of a rapidly aging population.”
She said the organization supports The Guardian Network because it strengthens coordination during the most critical moments when vulnerable individuals go missing.
“The Guardian Network aligns directly with our work to stabilize families and protect vulnerable communities,” West said. “When vulnerabilities are reduced, safety increases.”
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United Way collaborates with certified partner agencies across the Virginia Peninsula that focus on homelessness prevention, youth development, domestic violence response, aging services and housing repair. Those organizations would continue serving in their core roles, providing safe housing, trauma-informed care, mentorship, caregiver support and case management, while the network enhances coordination and awareness.
“The Guardian Network enhances coordination and awareness, while nonprofits provide the direct relational support that protects individuals before, during and after crisis events,” West said.
The concept also includes a second phase of development that would establish a standing advisory committee composed of survivors, impacted family members, nonprofit leaders, victim advocates and public safety professionals. A third phase would focus on identifying and allocating resources to support coordinated response efforts in collaboration with law enforcement, including ensuring necessary logistical supplies are available during active situations.
The immediate focus is Virginia. If successful, supporters say the model could be scalable to other states seeking to strengthen coordination in missing-person cases.
Reid said the goal is clear.
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“A stronger safety net. Better coordination. And helping bring loved ones home,” she said. “Everyone deserves to come home.”
