Virginia Lawmaker Fires Back at Ted Cruz Over Redistricting

Democratic Senate President pro tempore responds with blunt, profanity-laced tweet

Feb. 7, 2026 at 5:15pm

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After Texas Senator Ted Cruz criticized Virginia's redistricting efforts, calling them a "brazen abuse of power" and "an insult to democracy", Virginia Senate President pro tempore L. Louise Lucas, a Democrat, responded with a profanity-laced tweet telling Cruz "You all started it and we f------- finished it." The comment drew both praise and criticism from political figures on both sides of the aisle.

Why it matters

This exchange highlights the ongoing partisan battles over redistricting and gerrymandering, which have become increasingly contentious in recent years. The strong language used by the Virginia lawmaker also reflects the highly polarized political climate in the US.

The details

In his initial comments, Cruz argued that Virginia's new redistricting maps unfairly favored Democrats, giving them 91% of the state's legislative seats despite receiving only 52% of the statewide vote. This prompted the blunt response from Lucas, who accused the Republicans of starting the gerrymandering fight. Lucas's tweet was described as "profanity-laced" by some media outlets.

  • On February 7, 2026, Ted Cruz criticized Virginia's redistricting efforts on social media.
  • Later that same day, Virginia Senate President pro tempore L. Louise Lucas responded to Cruz's comments with a profanity-laced tweet.

The players

Ted Cruz

Republican U.S. Senator from Texas who criticized Virginia's redistricting efforts.

L. Louise Lucas

Democratic Virginia Senate President pro tempore who responded to Cruz's comments with a blunt, profanity-laced tweet.

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What they’re saying

“You all started it and we f------- finished it.”

— L. Louise Lucas, Virginia Senate President pro tempore

“This is the energy. Thank you.”

— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

What’s next

The redistricting battle in Virginia is likely to continue, with further legal challenges and political maneuvering expected from both parties.

The takeaway

This exchange underscores the highly partisan and contentious nature of redistricting, which has become a major flashpoint in American politics. It also highlights the increasing use of inflammatory language by elected officials, reflecting the deep divisions in the country.