Virginia Democratic lawmakers released a revised congressional map Thursday, proposing a 10–1 configuration favoring Democrats in 10 of the state’s 11 U.S. House districts. The map concentrates changes in Northern and central Virginia, while maintaining the outline of existing districts elsewhere.
The 9th District remains a large district in the state’s far southwest, and the 2nd District, based in the Eastern Shore, retains its coastal alignment. The most notable changes affect Northern Virginia’s 8th, 10th, and 11th districts, which are redrawn to extend farther south and west. Mid-state districts—1st, 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th—are reshaped into a denser configuration.
At a Capitol news conference, legislative leaders said the plan responds to redistricting efforts in Republican-led states and emphasized that voters will ultimately decide the map’s fate in an April 21 referendum.
Senate President Pro Tempore Louise Lucas and House Speaker Don Scott, both Democrats from Portsmouth, said the proposal is intended to counter national redistricting actions and preserve electoral competitiveness. Lucas cited redistricting activity in Texas, North Carolina, Missouri, and Ohio, while Scott said the General Assembly has prepared for weeks to release the maps.
Republican leaders opposed the plan. Senate Minority Leader Ryan McDougle, a Republican from Hanover, said Democrats are prioritizing redistricting over addressing economic concerns affecting Virginians.
The map’s release follows a Tazewell County Circuit Court ruling that halted the redistricting process, finding a Democratic-proposed constitutional amendment violated state law. The case is now before the Virginia Supreme Court.
Democratic leaders said they intend to proceed with the statewide referendum. Scott said the referendum writ was approved by the legislature and is on Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s desk. Spanberger’s office has not endorsed the proposed 10–1 configuration but stated it will administer the referendum if courts permit.
Lucas acknowledged that voters approved a nonpartisan redistricting commission in 2020. She said Democrats plan to return to that system but justified this map as a necessary interim step.
Both Scott and Lucas denied drawing the proposal to favor specific incumbents. Scott confirmed outside consultants contributed to the mapping but declined to provide details.
Democrats currently hold six of Virginia’s 11 U.S. House seats. Lucas said the proposed districts remain competitive and outcomes will depend on campaign efforts and voter turnout.
