Virginia Republicans are criticizing national and state Democrats over their response to the Supreme Court of Virginia's 4-3 ruling that blocked Democrats' attempt to revive a now-stalled congressional redistricting map. The court ruled against the Democrats' effort to circumvent their own failed April vote on a new map.
The New York Times reported Monday on a meeting between national and Virginia Democrats to discuss ways to reverse the ruling, including lowering the retirement age of state justices and re-trying the case before a different court. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., was reportedly party to those discussions. Virginia Republicans say the efforts violate the rule of law.
What the Left Is Saying
Virginia Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell, D-Mount Vernon, said an emergency application for relief was filed with the Supreme Court of the United States by late Monday. The filing was made jointly with House Speaker Don Scott, D-Portsmouth, and Senate President Pro Tem L. Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth.
"We can take Virginia back," Kilgore told Fox News Digital in a separate interview. "That's where Virginians are. We're a close state. We're a purple state."
In a Thursday statement following the original ruling, House Speaker Don Scott said he "respect[ed]" it but noted the close vote showed Virginians wanted to "fight back" against President Donald Trump and that Virginia Democrats would "keep fighting for a democracy where voters — not politicians — have the final say."
What the Right Is Saying
"It is insane — is my first take on that, because I mean, it would be crazy to throw out judges for making the right decision," said Virginia House Minority Leader Terry Kilgore, R-Gate City. "That would just be beyond the pale. I think a lot of Virginians would see through that."
Kilgore cited a May 12 pre-primary deadline and said it was "too late for them to do it as a matter of law." He dismissed using a separate Tazewell County ruling to dismantle the redistricting commission as "grasping at straws," noting the panel has already drawn state legislative districts without challenge.
"That just shows you how power-hungry Hakeem Jeffries and his Democrats are up there, and I'm glad the Supreme Court followed the rule of law," Kilgore said. "It was a good day for Virginia."
Rep. Ben Cline, R-Va., whose Shenandoah Valley district faced potential changes under the proposed map, agreed with Kilgore in a statement saying Jeffries and national Democrats are "furious" at SCOVA for "upholding the rule of law." He urged Virginians to get involved politically and warned against what he called an "illegal" Democratic push to reshape the maps.
What the Numbers Show
The Supreme Court of Virginia ruled 4-3 against the Democrats' redistricting gambit. The ruling blocked a proposed 10-1 congressional map that would have created ten seats likely to favor Democrats and one Republican seat.
Democrats attempted to circumvent their own April vote on the new map after it failed. A May 12 pre-primary deadline has passed for certain legal remedies, according to Kilgore.
Critics noted typos in the emergency application filed with SCOTUS, including labeling plaintiff Senate Minority Leader Ryan McDougle as "Sentator" and a misspelling of Scott's title. The filing also initially referenced the wrong court in its second reference.
The Bottom Line
The dispute centers on whether Virginia Democrats can legally reverse course after their own redistricting vote failed. Republicans argue the Democratic response amounts to an attempt to override judicial authority, while Democrats say they are fighting for voters' interests as reflected in close electoral margins.
Kilgore predicted Virginia voters would "swing back hard" toward Republicans in response to what he called the Democratic maneuvers. The legal battle now moves to federal courts, with SCOTUS likely to decide whether to hear the emergency application in coming weeks.