Virginia congressional map vote could embolden Florida Republicans to push for boundary changes, says Jeffries – US politics live

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Chris Stein

Chris Stein

Polls showed a adjacent title successful nan weeks starring up to Tuesday’s vote, pinch signs that right-leaning voters successful Virginia’s agrarian areas were incensed by caller maps that would spot galore of them represented by lawmakers who unrecorded successful nan state’s bluish suburbs extracurricular Washington DC.

The surveys besides showed that voters were divided connected Spanberger’s capacity arsenic governor, pinch Republicans accusing her of lying astir her mean credentials connected nan run way past quickly pivoting near arsenic governor, including by supporting nan referendum.

The title saw dense spending by Democratic-linked groups and others, who poured much than $64m into nan main committee backing nan referendum. Groups opposing redistricting brought successful astir $30m.

Barack Obama recorded tv ads successful favour of nan yes vote, while those opposed aired their ain ads focused connected past comments he had made criticizing gerrymandering. Glenn Youngkin, nan Republican who preceded Spanberger arsenic governor, campaigned heavy for nan nary vote.

Obama celebrated nan consequence connected Tuesday evening.

“Congratulations, Virginia!” nan erstwhile US president posted connected societal media. “Republicans are trying to tilt nan midterm elections successful their favor, but they haven’t done it yet. Thanks for showing america what it looks for illustration to guidelines up for our populist and conflict back.”

Signs are seen extracurricular Fairfax Government Center during nan Virginia redistricting referendum, Tuesday, April 21, 2026, successful Fairfax, Va.
Signs are seen extracurricular Fairfax Government Center during nan Virginia redistricting referendum, Tuesday, April 21, 2026, successful Fairfax, Va. Photograph: Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP

Hello and invited to nan US politics unrecorded blog.

The ballot to o.k. caller legislature maps successful Virgina could embolden Florida’s Republican-controlled authorities assembly to see tit-for-tat changes to its ain map, nan House Democratic leader has said.

Voters successful Virginia connected Tuesday approved caller legislature maps intended to boost Democrats’ chances of retaking nan House of Representatives, successful nan latest rustle to Donald Trump’s effort to usage mid-decade redistricting to sphere his power of Congress.

Republican politician Ron DeSantis has called into a typical convention opening adjacent period to see changes successful Florida, meaning nan GOP could prime up arsenic galore arsenic 3 much seats depending connected really nan legislature draws nan boundaries.

Hakeem Jeffries, nan House Democratic leader, said Tuesday’s consequence successful Virginia should service arsenic a informing to DeSantis. He wrote successful a statement:

double quotation markIf Florida Republicans proceed pinch this forbidden scheme, they will only create much prime-pick up opportunities for Democrats.

We are prepared to return them each on, and we are prepared to win.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., speaks during a news convention connected Capitol Hill successful Washington, Thursday, April 16, 2026.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., speaks during a news convention connected Capitol Hill successful Washington, Thursday, April 16, 2026. Photograph: José Luis Magaña/AP

The tit-for-tat redistricting conflict began past twelvemonth aft Trump pressed Texas’s Republican-controlled legislature to redraw that state’s legislature maps successful a bid to oust arsenic galore arsenic 5 Democratic House lawmakers successful nan November midterm elections.

California voters retaliated by approving caller maps that could flip 5 Republican-held seats, and successful Virginia, Abigail Spanberger, nan recently elected Democratic governor, backed an effort to redraw her state’s maps pursuing her January inauguration. Tuesday’s referendum could thief Democrats triumph 4 further House seats successful November’s midterm elections.

Under the caller maps, Democrats are now favored to triumph successful 10 of Virginia’s 11 districts. In nan existent delegation, Democrats clasp six seats and Republicans five.

Read nan afloat communicative here:

In different developments:

  • The Southern Poverty Law Center, a salient civilian authorities organization, has been indicted connected national fraud charges.

  • Trump unilaterally announced an hold of nan two-week ceasefire pinch Iran amid frantic efforts to bring nan 2 sides backmost to nan negotiating table.

  • A US appeals tribunal ruled Tuesday that Texas tin require nan Ten Commandments to beryllium displayed successful nationalist schoolhouse classrooms.

  • Trump’s nominee for US Federal Reserve chair, Kevin Warsh, faced a tumultuous proceeding successful Washington, fielding scrutiny complete his wealthiness and his expertise to run independently of nan president who appointed him.

  • Democratic US typical Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick said she is resigning effective immediately, aft a House committee recovered she violated morals rules.

  • The FBI director, Kash Patel, had a testy speech pinch reporters erstwhile asked astir nan caller Atlantic article outlining claims that he excessively drinks and astatine times has been unreachable.

  • Donald Trump’s support standing connected nan system has decreased from March to April arsenic prices climb owed to nan Iran war.

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Source theguardian.com
theguardian.com