Virginia Democrat Abigail Spanberger, currently running for governor, made blunt remarks during a recent podcast appearance in which she pressed Democrats to focus on winning upcoming elections rather than relying on redistricting battles.
Speaking on the liberal podcast Blue Virginia, Spanberger acknowledged the complexities of the state’s constitutional process for amending redistricting rules and expressed frustration with how long such efforts would take to influence elections.
“I think that it’s important that we do fight fire with fire. But I’m also recognizing that in the Commonwealth of Virginia, the process that we have to make constitutional amendments, right? So, it was just a couple years ago that we went through a multi-year process to put a redistricting commission process within our state constitution,” Spanberger said.
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She outlined the procedural requirements, noting that the process requires multiple elections and votes before changes can take effect.
“We have to have an election… there has to be a vote in the General Assembly, then there has to be elections, then there has to be another election, then they vote again, and then it goes to the people. So, you know, even in the looking at this, if someone says, ‘OK, Virginia might be a possibility,’ that’s not till 2028 where there would actually be an impact on congressional elections. And I’m unwilling in Virginia to wait for 2028,” she continued.
Emphasizing the urgency, Spanberger insisted that Democrats cannot wait for redistricting changes to shape political outcomes.
“And so, it is the harder route, I’m not denying that, to say we’re going to fucking win those seats in the midterms by working hard and doing it. But in Virginia, that’s our only option. And frankly, like I think Democrats need to fight more and win more and actually ensure that people know what we are for because Republicans have to depend on redistricting and stealing votes and taking seats like they did in North Carolina in order to actually be able to win elections,” she said.
Video: Pressed About Virginia Redistricting, Abigail Spanberger Says “I’m unwilling in Virginia to wait for 2028”; “only option” Is “to…fucking win those seats in the midterms by working hard and doing it!” https://t.co/W2okYqun5l h/t @JamesAbrenio @briantylercohen pic.twitter.com/1Qd0IAVT9v
— Blue Virginia (@bluevirginia) August 30, 2025
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Her comments come as Democrats nationally are battling over redistricting disputes in several states.
Virginia’s system, established through a constitutional amendment, requires a multi-election process before any changes can be adopted, meaning no new redistricting plan could take effect before 2028.
Spanberger’s focus on the 2026 midterm elections reflects the pressure she faces both as a gubernatorial candidate and as a party leader in Virginia.
The race for governor, once viewed as leaning in her favor, has tightened considerably in recent weeks. Republican candidate Winsome Sears has gained ground in polling, turning the contest into a highly competitive matchup.
For Democrats, Spanberger’s comments underscore the importance of winning upcoming elections outright rather than relying on long-term structural changes.
For Republicans, her remarks highlight the intensity of the political fight ahead and the high stakes of the 2026 midterms as well as Virginia’s gubernatorial race this November.
The Virginia governor’s contest will be decided in November, with both parties framing it as a pivotal test ahead of the next national election cycle.
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