By Trendsetter Tribune 
The national battle over “mid-decade redistricting” has reached a fever pitch in Virginia. On Friday, February 6, 2026, Governor Abigail Spanberger signed legislation to hold a special statewide election on April 21, 2026, for a constitutional amendment that would allow Democrats to redraw the state’s congressional map before the November midterms.
The move sparked a fierce war of words between Virginia Senate President Pro Tempore Louise Lucas and U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX), highlighting a cycle of “retaliatory gerrymandering” that has gripped the country.
The Lucas-Cruz Clash
The dispute erupted on X (formerly Twitter) after Cruz labeled Virginia’s redistricting push a “brazen abuse of power.” Lucas, known for her candid and often sharp-tongued political style, did not hold back.
- The Retort: Lucas fired back at Cruz, stating, “You all started it and we f—ing finished it,” referring to the mid-decade map changes recently enacted by Texas Republicans.
- The “Trump Mess”: Lucas further accused President Donald Trump of orchestrating a national “power grab” by encouraging GOP-led states to fortify their House majorities through mid-cycle redraws.
- Public Reaction: While supporters cheered Lucas’s defiance, critics—including conservative commentator Braeden Sorbo—questioned whether the move was an admission that gerrymandering is acceptable as long as it benefits the left.
The Proposed 10-1 Map
On Thursday, February 5, Virginia Democrats unveiled the proposed map they hope to implement if voters approve the April referendum. The changes would be dramatic:
| Feature | Current Map | Proposed Map |
| Partisan Split | 6 Democrats – 5 Republicans | 10 Democrats – 1 Republican |
| GOP-Held Targets | N/A | Targets seats held by Jen Kiggans, Rob Wittman, Ben Cline, and Morgan Griffith. |
| The “Safe” GOP Seat | 5 Districts | Only Griffith’s 9th District would remain a GOP stronghold. |
A National “Arms Race”
Virginia’s move is part of a broader “redistricting arms race” triggered by a series of events in 2025:
- Texas & North Carolina: In late 2025, GOP majorities in these states redrew maps to favor Republicans, moves later cleared by the Supreme Court.
- California’s Prop 50: In November 2025, California voters passed a similar measure to Virginia’s, allowing the legislature to bypass their independent commission to flip five GOP seats.
- Virginia’s Response: Gov. Spanberger and Sen. Lucas have framed their push as a “temporary and responsive” measure to protect against national GOP efforts to “rig” the 2026 midterms.
Legal Hurdles Ahead
Despite Spanberger’s signature, the April 21 special election is not yet certain. A lower state court ruled last month that the amendment process violated state law. The Virginia Supreme Court is expected to issue a final ruling in the coming weeks.