Virginia Democrats just hit their first setback — and it could make a difference in the midterm elections

The Democrat-controlled Virginia General Assembly gave final legislative approval earlier this month to a proposed constitutional amendment that would give lawmakers emergency powers outside the 10-year redistricting process to gerrymander the Old Dominion’s congressional maps.

“Virginia’s proposed redistricting amendment is a response to what we’re seeing in other states that have taken extreme measures to undermine democratic norms. This approach is short-term, highly targeted, and completely dependent on what other states decide to do themselves,” Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) said last week.

“Virginia will be responsive and targeted, but only with the will of the people. I trust the voters to get this right,” she continued.

However, Tazewell County Circuit Judge Jack Hurley Jr. ruled on Tuesday that the approval of the proposed amendment — which