News

The Redistricting Map Was Released

Last week Democrats in the General Assembly finally agreed on a proposed map that redraws the Congressional Districts in Virginia. This proposed redistricting is in response to the Trump Administration's efforts to get Republican-led legislatures around the country to pass measures making it easier for Republicans to hold on to their slim majority in the U.S. House of Representatives. Governor Spanberger approved the legislation that calls for a redistricting referendum and now the Virginia Supreme Court is all that stands in the way of Virginia voters getting the opportunity to vote on these proposed district lines in April. The map with the newly proposed district lines was released late last Thursday. The map is widely perceived to give the Democrats a 10-1 advantage, which would be a 4 seat gain from the current 6-5 delegation. This is achieved by several districts extending into deep blue areas in Northern Virginia while also meandering deep into other parts of the state. Prior to an agreed upon map, a Tazewell Judge ruled the procedures used by the Democrats in the General Assembly illegal and the Court of Appeals has since referred the case to the Virginia Supreme Court for a speedy decision. The referendum is set for April 21st pending the Virginia Supreme Court's ruling.

Elizabeth’s Response to the Map

Upon release of the map, Elizabeth and her campaign staff quickly went to work analyzing the proposed new districts. Elizabeth came to the determination that while she resides in the First Congressional District now, she just so happens to also be among the less than 15% of voters in the current First District that overlaps with the newly proposed First District. As such, she made public her intentions to run in the First Congressional District whether the maps pass or not. She voiced that she is not going to use redistricting as a means of playing politics. The First District is her home and that is where she is running. “I will keep fighting for the people,” Elizabeth said. “As a veteran, a foster parent and a firefighter’s wife, I see every day how our systems are failing the people they're supposed to serve. My mission to put the people first, my commitment to lead with integrity and my resolve to do the right thing, remains unchanged and undeterred.” Although Democrats have confidence that the referendum will pass, this campaign is continuing to operate according to the current district lines and will do so until the voters decide otherwise.

Spanberger Approves Constitutional Amendments

In addition to the redistricting amendment, Governor Abigail Spanberger approved three other constitutional amendments, paving the way for Virginians to vote on them come November. These constitutional amendments will enshrine access to reproductive care into the Virginia constitution, classify love as love and guarantee that Virginians have the right to same-sex marriage, and also automatically restores voting rights for the formerly incarcerated without the requirement for the Governor’s approval.

While Virginia is already a state where same-sex couples are allowed to get married and where there is legal access to abortion and reproductive care, these measures, should Virginia voters elect to approve them, will ensure that it would take a US Supreme Court decision breaking with Virginia’s stately autonomy to infringe on these rights. And with regards to automatic restoration of rights, according to current Virginia law, the formerly incarcerated are required to apply for their right to vote to be restored by the Governor or by petitioning the courts. Virginia is one of ten states that don’t have automatic restoration after time served. Former Democratic Governor Ralph Northam took Executive Action to allow anyone released from prison to qualify for restoration of voting rights, but this was reversed by former Republican Governor Youngkin. The constitutional amendment will prevent the Governor from being able to play politics with people’s right to vote.

These are impressive steps for progressives considering as recently as 2018, Republicans had a 66-34 majority in the Virginia House of Delegates. A slim Democratic majority in the State House and State Senate last year paved the way for these constitutional amendments to pass after a massive win for Democrats in last year's elections, which ushered in a Democratic Trifecta and a 13 seat gain for Democrats in the House of Delegates. Now, these constitutional amendment will be voted on by the people of Virginia in November. Elizabeth has voiced support for these three constitutional amendments, and she believes that a future where her children get to enjoy the same rights she did is a future worth fighting for.

Virtual Town Hall with Paige Connell

Elizabeth held a virtual town hall on Monday with Paige Connell, a working mom and influencer. Paige Connell, a working mom raising four kids, and Elizabeth discussed issues facing moms and working families. They shared stories from their own lived experiences, spoke on ways to remedy the systems that keep failing working families and ways that policies that actually work can make a real impact. Going forward, Elizabeth will have a weekly virtual town hall, occasionally with a special guest, starting next Wednesday. The town hall is free but you can also join in on some friendship bracelet-making fun! If you are able to make a strong impact on the campaign by making a small contribution, we’ll even send you a friendship bracelet-making kit!

See last week's news letter!