Youngkin Alleges Spanberger’s Virginia Gerrymandering Is Illegal and Unconstitutional
Could a single referendum redraw who speaks for Virginia in Washington? Virginia gerrymandering has become the central fight as former Gov. Glenn Youngkin accused current Gov. Abigail Spanberger of pursuing “illegal and unconstitutional” map changes. Virginians will vote April 21 on Spanberger’s redistricting referendum, a move Youngkin said would give Democrats 10 of the state’s 11 congressional seats.
The criticism from Youngkin arrived alongside renewed attention to an earlier post by Spanberger. In June 2019 she wrote, “Gerrymandering is detrimental to our democracy and it weakens the individual voices that form our electorates. Opposing gerrymandering should be a bipartisan priority.” That history has become a focal point for voters and political operatives on both sides.
A conservative host, Sean Hannity, called it “corrupt” for Democrats to hold 10 of Virginia’s 11 congressional seats and noted President Donald Trump lost the state by about six percentage points. Currently, Republicans hold five congressional seats, while Democrats hold six. Youngkin also accused Spanberger of a “bait and switch” as several Virginia cities and counties pushed back against the referendum, which could restructure almost all of the state’s GOP-held districts.
If the referendum passes, the map could create five new districts leaning Democratic and potentially dilute rural voters’ influence. Republicans will likely need to sharpen turnout efforts in central and Western Virginia to preserve competitive districts.
Beyond raw seat counts, Virginia gerrymandering carries deeper implications for policy and campaigning. Creating more safely Democratic districts could shift federal priorities and change how both parties target resources. Local leaders warn that altered lines could weaken rural representation and reshape constituent services.
Youngkin lamented what he described as the undoing of his administration’s progress. “It’s most frustrating for people in Virginia — really frustrating for me — because we had, I think, advanced the state to literally a nationally leading position across job creation and financial security and opportunity and safety and education, but now we see them trying to undo all of it,” he told US News Hub Misryoum host Sean Hannity.
Spanberger’s office has denied that any internal deals were made to advantage Democratic candidates, and critics’ claims that the plan would unfairly boost her base met with official denials. Youngkin has also criticized Spanberger for not revoking her endorsement of Democratic candidate Jay Jones, a decision that has drawn attention from both parties.
A recent poll co-sponsored by George Mason University’s Schar School found Spanberger’s approval has dipped since her November 2025 victory. The survey showed 46% of Virginians disapprove of her performance, the highest disapproval at this stage of a term for any Virginia governor in over three decades. George Mason University Schar School Dean Mark Rozell, the poll’s co-sponsor, said it is “unusual” to see results like this so early in a term after running on a “centrist image.” US News Hub Misryoum reached out to Spanberger’s office for comment.
The referendum and the arguments around it highlight how map-making can become a central campaign battleground. Virginia gerrymandering will be a test of voter sentiment about fairness, representation, and political power. Nora Moriarty is a Production Assistant at US News Hub Misryoum.