Big name Democrats are flooding the airwaves in Virginia to push new gerrymandered congressional maps, while local Republicans are on the ground, deploying a volunteer grassroots effort to block the plan.
Virginia Democrats are backing a proposal to redraw the state’s House map, with support from Gov. Abigail Spanberger and former President Barack Obama. If voters approve it on April 21, Virginia’s delegation would flip from a 6-5 Democratic edge to a 10-1 Democratic majority. (RELATED: Virginia Becomes New Battleground In Redistricting War)
Democrats have poured millions into the race, but Virginia Republicans tell the Daily Caller they can combat the money machine with their network on the ground.
“[The Democrats] keep upping the amount of money they’re investing, which is why you can’t move without seeing Barack Obama on television,” Jeff Ryer, the chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia, told the Caller.
As of late March, Democrat-aligned groups had raised roughly $22 million for the fight, while the main opposition group, Virginians for Fair Maps, had spent about half a million dollars. Republicans say the money gap is real, but so is their ground game.
“Our approach, because we knew we had less money, has been much more targeted, and it’s been much more volunteer-driven,” Ryer continued.
Virginia’s largest county becomes a verb as ‘Don’t Fairfax Me’ signs pop up in rural areas https://t.co/yEtUsQSPyf pic.twitter.com/JNSxfDPhGC
— Cardinal News (@CardinalNewsVA) April 1, 2026
That ground game centers on 124 local “unit committees” fanning out across the state. Volunteers are knocking doors, sending postcards and mailers, making phone calls, and planting yard signs urging Virginians to vote “No” on the amendment.
Every Sunday, the Republican National Committee holds strategy calls with these units, while outside groups like Virginians for Fair Maps and No Gerrymandering Virginia coordinate closely with the local party.
“The Republican National Committee hired field coordinators, divided up the state into six different regions, put somebody in charge of it, and they have been instrumental in organizing all of our 124 [unit committees],” Ryer told the Caller.
Former Attorney General Jason Miyares, now co-chair of Virginians for Fair Maps, has been barnstorming rural Virginia.
“On those drives, all I saw were ‘No’ signs,” Miyares told the Caller between events. “I saw one ‘Yes’ sign in two days of driving through rural Virginia.” With two weeks left until Election Day, he said he had already appeared at at least two dozen events.
Virginia: early voting for the redistricting amendment is happening now through April 18.
Protect your voting power and help level the playing field ahead of the midterm elections by voting YES today or on Election Day, April 21.
Go to https://t.co/vsawTNmQkZ for more… pic.twitter.com/gTmqJohqhQ
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) March 27, 2026
Grassroots activist and former lieutenant governor candidate John Reid has been equally relentless. Ryer has dubbed Reid the “ambassador” of the issue because of his work.
In one recent stretch, Reid attended a luncheon in Virginia Beach expected to draw 100 business leaders, met with supporters at the oceanfront, spoke at events in Williamsburg and later traveled to Southwest Virginia. So far, he has logged about 20 events, many of them in rural and conservative parts of the state.
“I think that our focus has been on rural areas, who are going to be the most disenfranchised and abused if this passes, and trying to convince these folks that this election, your vote counts,” Reid told the Caller.
Virginia’s redistricting referendum: (April 21 special election)
Likely Voters:
🟢 YES: 52%
🟤 NO: 47%Registered Voters:
🟢 YES: 53%
🟤 NO: 44%(Includes those who already voted)
WaPo/Shar School | 3/26-31https://t.co/1WHE8lgiJf
— InteractivePolls (@IAPolls2022) April 3, 2026
Republicans are deliberately avoiding heavy ad spending in deep-blue Northern Virginia, instead concentrating resources where turnout can make a difference, Ryer explained. Their digital efforts are tailored to specific regions.
Some national Republicans are starting to engage more directly too. Speaker Mike Johnson is expected to travel to Virginia to host a fundraising event and rally, Miyares and Reid told the Caller.
Despite the fundraising gap, local Republican leaders say they remain cautiously optimistic. Early voting numbers have reportedly rattled some Democrats, while Spanberger’s approval rating sits at 47% and her disapproval is just above 40% — making her the only Virginia governor in recent history to hit that mark so early.
Spanberger has touted the redistricting effort, saying the plan is “responsive to this moment in time where we have a president who has gone to other states seeking additional congressional seats, saying he’s ‘entitled to them.’”
Reid told the Caller that Republicans started the year with an “exhaustion factor” in the base, but said that changed after Democrats’ legislative push in Richmond.
“What happened in Richmond in January and February, I think, has reignited some passion and some energy with the base, especially when they realize that it is all on the line now,” he concluded, speaking about various pieces of legislation Democrats introduced promoting their policy priorities.
Read the full article here
