There was never any doubt that the US Supreme Court, which of course has a 6-3 Republican (in several cases, far right/MAGA) majority, would deny Virginia Democrats’ appeal of the Virginia Supreme Court’s 4-3 (along partisan lines) ruling striking down the redistricting amendment. And that is, indeed, what just happened.
The U.S. Supreme Court Friday rejected Virginia Democrats’ emergency request to revive a voter-approved plan that would have allowed the state to redraw its congressional map in response to Republican gerrymanders in other states.
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The denial comes after Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) said Thursday the state would proceed with the current congressional map for the 2026 midterms regardless of the Supreme Court’s decision, citing looming election administration deadlines.
So now, as frustrated as we all are about this situation (including all the work, money, etc. that went into passing the redistricting referendum), it comes down to Democrats working to pick up as many US House seats in Virginia this November as possible – definitely VA02 (bye bye Jen Kiggans, who just recently expressed her enthusiastic agreement with a right-wing radio host’s racist language aimed at Hakeem Jeffries!), quite possibly VA01 (home of worthless Rob Wittman, who earlier today refused to condemn Kiggans’ racism; see video, below), and maybe even – with a blue wave and strong campaign by Tom Perriello – VA05 (where one of the worst members of Congress in the entire country, insurrectionist/MAGA fanatic and far-right-extremist John McGuire, misrepresents the district badly). Let’s do it!
Attorney General Jay Jones Statement Following the Supreme Court of the United States’ Denial of Virginia’s Petition for Emergency Relief in Scott v. McDougle
RICHMOND, Va. – Attorney General Jay Jones today made the following statement in response to the Supreme Court of the United States’ denial of Virginia’s Petition for Emergency Relief in Scott v. McDougle:
“Today’s one-sentence denial from the Supreme Court of the United States is yet another profoundly troubling example of the continued national attack on voting rights and the rule of law by Donald Trump, Republican state legislatures, and conservative courts. It leaves in place the deeply flawed ruling from the Supreme Court of Virginia, which overturned the results of a lawful election and erased the will of millions of Virginia voters.
Let’s be clear about what is happening. Donald Trump, Republican state legislatures, and conservative courts are systematically and unabashedly tilting power away from the people for Trump’s political gain. Just this past month in Louisiana, Tennessee, and South Carolina, they have redrawn their maps and diluted Black political representation because it threatens their hold on power.
This attack is not subtle. It is a coordinated effort to stack the deck in the Republican’s favor before the midterms, lock in political advantage, and make it harder for voters, especially Black voters and communities of color, to hold Trump and his allies accountable. There can be no doubt: Trump and his allies want only their most politically extreme supporters to have their voices heard in Washington. The Supreme Court of Virginia’s previous decision and today’s refusal by the United States Supreme Court to act are only bolstering these extreme MAGA voices.
Virginians demanded elected leaders who would fight back against these attacks on our democracy and on our freedoms. Those elected leaders followed the law and constitutional process, ultimately giving Virginia voters the choice to join the fight on redistricting and choose representatives who reflect their values in Congress. More than three million Virginians made their voices heard at the ballot box, and a majority voted “yes.”
The Supreme Court of Virginia contorted the plain language of our Constitution and our laws to undermine their will. Now the Supreme Court of the United States has allowed that injustice to stand.
This fight is far from over, and I am committed to fighting alongside you. I will be on the campaign trail, working tirelessly to support our Democratic candidates so we can win control of the House in spite of Republicans putting their thumbs on the scale.”
