Spanberger urges ‘yes’ vote on controversial redistricting proposal in new campaign ad

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- After voting "yes" herself a week prior, Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) is urging Virginians to support the controversial mid-decade redistricting referendum in a brand-new advertisement launched Wednesday.

With early voting already underway for the April 21 referendum on Virginia Democrats' congressional redistricting proposal, both opponents and supporters are working to sway voters to either vote "no" or vote "yes."

On Wednesday, March 25, the YES Campaign, or Virginians for Fair Elections, launched a new advertisement in support of the redistricting referendum, according to a press release.

"It’s directly in response to what other states decide to do — and a president who says he’s, quote, ‘entitled’ to more Republican seats before this year’s midterms," Spanberger said.

While Virginia Democrats see this as an attempt to protect democracy after President Donald Trump successfully lobbied several Republican states to redraw their congressional maps to favor Republicans, Virginia Republicans see the new map as an attempt at gerrymandering, or the intentional manipulation of electoral maps to unfairly put one party in power.

"Our approach is different," she said. "It’s temporary. It preserves Virginia’s fair redistricting process into the future."

Spanberger previously voted "yes" herself on the contested proposal last week, voting in favor of the constitutional amendment that would give the Democratic-controlled General Assembly the power to implement a new congressional map in Virginia.

If most Virginia voters vote in favor, the state’s existing congressional districts would be significantly altered. Many congressional districts would change, and this would mean they would be represented by — and able to vote on the future of — a different member of Congress.

This marks the second advertisement in about two weeks -- after the campaign released an advertisement on March 11, in which former President Barack Obama urged Virginians to vote "yes."

“Governor Spanberger is making clear that Virginians must act in this moment,” said YES Campaign Manager Keren Charles Dongo in the release.  “This is a choice between letting Trump and MAGA politicians rig the system — or making sure voters have the final say. Voting YES is how Virginians stop Trump’s power grab and level the playing field.”

Based on historical electoral data, 10 of the state’s 11 congressional districts would favor Democrats at the ballot box.

Currently, Virginia has six Democratic and five Republican representatives in Congress.

Early voting is underway now through April 18.

You can find the new ad here.

For all of our coverage on Virginia Democrats’ mid-decade congressional redistricting proposal, click here.