Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell, D-Fairfax, responded to recent comments from U.S. Senator Tim Kaine when he expressed concern over the General Assembly redrawing congressional boundaries to create a 10-1 Democratic-favored map. Surovell said they will listen to opinions, but ultimately, the decision is made by state legislators, not the federal government.
In a recent interview with Punchbowl News, Kaine spoke about the redistricting process underway in Virginia and offered advice to Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger.
Kaine agreed with the show’s host that there is some skittishness among voters about a 10-1 map compared to a 9-2 map.
Kaine gave two reasons for the skittishness.
“If you do [10-1], you run the risk of losing some seats you could win, right? And second, you have to show the people the maps before you have the referendum vote,” he said.
Kaine also agreed that the maps look more logical at 9-2.
Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell, D-Fairfax, was asked to respond to what Kaine said on Friday.
“There are a lot of people who have opinions, including our federal elected officials, but the drawing of congressional districts is our job,” Surovell said. “Under the Constitution, that’s assigned to the state legislature. It’s our job and our decision. And we will listen to their opinions, but the opinions that count, the votes that count, are ours.”
Kaine also encouraged Spanberger to become a mediator in the process during his appearance with Punchbowl.
“My unsolicited advice to Abigail is tell the federal delegation and the General Assembly to get on the same page and tell them you’re willing to be an umpire in the event that they’re not on the same page,” Kaine said.
The Virginia General Assembly advanced the constitutional redistricting amendment on Friday, completing the second of three steps necessary to allow Democrats to redraw congressional boundaries ahead of midterm elections.
Now, it will be up to voters to approve the amendment in a referendum likely to take place in late April or early May.
If the voters approve the change, the General Assembly will have to quickly draw the new boundaries. Democrats, who have majorities in both chambers and control of the Executive Mansion, will control the process.