Virginia Republicans are gearing up for a confrontation with a Democratic lawmaker over congressional redistricting. Delegate Dan Helmer, a key player in the redraw effort, is stepping into the ring to run for a newly formed U.S. House seat. GOP leaders are quick to label his move as nothing short of a “power grab.”
House Minority Leader Terry Kilgore expressed his disapproval, stating, “I think it does look bad. The whole process looks terrible, because all it is a power grab. We feel the optics are bad.” The Virginia GOP echoed these sentiments in a social media post, accusing Democrats of corruption. They argue that it’s inappropriate for those who shaped the maps to be the ones seeking election in them.
Helmer, an Army veteran who has been serving in Virginia’s House of Delegates since 2020, is vying for the Democratic nomination in Virginia’s 7th Congressional District. This district is part of four new left-leaning seats designed to favor Democrats if an upcoming referendum passes. The ballot measure seeks to grant the Virginia legislature the authority to manage redistricting through 2030, a shift away from the current non-partisan commission.
This redistricting battle has become a pivotal point in the larger contest between Republicans and Democrats as they vie for control of the House. With the stakes high, Democrats need just three more seats to regain control, and the outcome in Virginia may play a significant role.
The Republican camp has voiced their legal concerns regarding the upcoming referendum. They contend that procedural errors were made during the legislature’s approval process. While a lower court ruled in their favor last month, the state Supreme Court recently allowed the ballot measure to move forward, setting the stage for early voting to start on March 6.
Yet, the ruling is far from the end of the issue. Legal challenges are still looming, with Democrats working hard to defend their redistricting plans. In a separate move, the Republican National Committee has filed a lawsuit to block the referendum altogether.
Helmer’s campaign launch video showcases his past victories, including “successful efforts to take on and win against Donald Trump.” He counters Republican claims about the optics surrounding his candidacy, asserting that he stepped away from the redistricting process after it moved through the legislature. Despite this, the Republicans are quick to label him as a “career loser” based on his two prior unsuccessful congressional bids.
Virginia Senate Minority Leader Ryan McDougle shared a similar critique, noting that the optics of “trying to gerrymander Virginia” are troublesome. As the situation unfolds, the implications of these political maneuvers are considerable. Control of the House may hang in the balance, with redistricting efforts front and center in the electoral strategy for both parties. The coming months will reveal how this contest shapes up as voters prepare to make their voices heard at the ballot box.
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