Fairfax Liberals Accused of 'Colonial' Push to Redraw Virginia Districts

Referendum aims to disenfranchise rural Virginians, critics say

Apr. 13, 2026 at 4:57pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A vibrant, abstract painting depicting the state of Virginia in overlapping waves of blue and red, with the boundaries of Fairfax County distorted and fragmented, conveying the contested nature of the state's political geography.The partisan battle over Virginia's congressional redistricting exposes deep divides between liberal Fairfax County and the rest of the state.Fairfax Today

A proposed redistricting referendum in Virginia has sparked accusations that liberal leaders in Fairfax County are trying to disenfranchise rural and conservative voters across the state. Critics argue the referendum is a deceptive power grab that would dramatically skew the state's congressional representation in favor of Democrats.

Why it matters

The April 21 referendum would split the heavily Democratic Fairfax County across five congressional districts, a move that experts say would likely result in 10 Democratic and only 1 Republican representative in Virginia - despite the state voting nearly evenly between Democrats and Republicans in the 2024 presidential election. This has led to accusations that Fairfax liberals are trying to 'colonize' the rest of the state and impose their political will.

The details

The referendum language states it would 'allow the General Assembly to temporarily adopt new congressional districts to restore fairness in the upcoming elections.' However, critics argue this is deceptive, as the changes would actually disenfranchise rural and conservative voters. Democratic leaders like Virginia Senate President Pro Tempore Louise Lucas have openly acknowledged the partisan motivations, responding to criticism by saying 'You all started it, and we f**king finished it.'

  • The April 21 election will decide the fate of Virginia's 11 congressional districts.
  • In February 2026, Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger, a Democrat, signed the state's redistricting bill.

The players

Louise Lucas

The president pro tempore of Virginia's Senate, a Democrat.

Abigail Spanberger

The Democratic governor of Virginia, who previously supported bipartisan legislation to prevent gerrymandering but now backs the redistricting referendum.

Ted Cruz

A Republican U.S. Senator from Texas who criticized the Virginia redistricting referendum as a 'brazen abuse of power & an insult to democracy.'

Fairfax County resident

A Fairfax County resident who said the area is 'a much more educated, classy, professional, employed area' and will 'of course' vote 'yes' on the referendum.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“You all started it, and we f**king finished it.”

— Louise Lucas, President pro tempore of Virginia's Senate

“Virginians should choose their representatives—not the other way around.”

— Abigail Spanberger, Governor of Virginia

“I guess they're saying 'Don't Fairfax' Virginia, because obviously we are a much more educated, classy, professional, employed area, and we, of course, are going to vote 'yes' on this.”

— Fairfax County resident

What’s next

The April 21 election will decide the fate of Virginia's 11 congressional districts. Experts forecast that if the partisan gerrymandering passes, there will be 10 Democrats and one Republican representing Virginia.

The takeaway

This case highlights the growing partisan divide in Virginia, with liberal leaders in Fairfax County accused of trying to disenfranchise rural and conservative voters across the state through a deceptive redistricting referendum. The outcome could have major implications for the state's political representation in Congress.