(The Center Square) – Virginia senators spent much of Tuesday trading remarks over President Donald Trump, Washington politics, and whether they’ll move forward on a new redistricting plan for the commonwealth.
Democrats accused Trump of pressuring Republican-led states to redraw political lines for partisan gain, while Republicans said Virginia should not become a political pawn for Washington.
Sen. Scott Surovell, D-Fairfax, said the governor’s office overstepped by circulating a partisan letter on official letterhead. He added that, in his view, Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s office is “governed for one purpose, trying to become president.”
“I don’t feel like this body needs to listen to anything he has to say. He’s a lame duck now. He’s not relevant, and he’s not involved in this process,” Surovell said.
“We have somebody across the river who basically thought he got elected king,” he added. “We have somebody who ignores the rule of law.”
Surovell said the ongoing special session gives lawmakers the option to act in January if “protecting our country” becomes necessary.
“Right now, this just gives us the option,” he said. “Should it become necessary in January, then we will consider taking action in this extraordinary step because it’s necessary to protect America.”
Republican senators fired back, saying Democrats were turning Virginia into a “political pawn” for national party leaders.
“We now are devolving into personal attacks of our president and our governor,” said Sen. Richard Stuart, R-King George. “Virginia is now a political pawn for Hakeem Jeffries and Chuck Schumer to try to redraw congressional lines to make a difference in D.C. We should be better.”
Sen. Mark Peake, R-Lynchburg, criticized the timing of the session, noting that more than a million Virginians have already voted without knowing what the proposed constitutional amendment would say.
“We don’t even know what the amendment is,” Peake said. “Unfortunately, for a majority of us, it’ll be too late to vote for their House of Delegates member based on what they did on this constitutional amendment.”
Lawmakers said the redistricting proposal could be introduced later this week, with any formal vote likely to come after the Nov. 4 election.
The Senate adjourned without introducing or voting on redistricting language and will reconvene Wednesday at 11 a.m.
As previously reported by The Center Square, several states led by both parties have taken up mid-decade redistricting this year following Trump’s call for Texas to revise its maps.
Virginia lawmakers remain split over whether to join them or preserve the bipartisan redistricting system voters approved in 2020.
