Virginia Supreme Court Strikes Down Democrats' $64 Million Redistricting Plan

The Virginia Supreme Court ruled Friday that Democrats violated the state constitution by fast-tracking a gerrymander referendum before voters, who narrowly approved the measure earlier this year. The decision struck down the congressional map and sparked backlash on social media over the nearly $64 million the party spent on the effort.

Virginians for Fair Elections, the main pro-redistricting group, raised more than $64 million to support the Democratic-friendly gerrymander. The plan could have netted Democrats four GOP-held seats in November's midterm elections. Almost $40 million came from a super PAC aligned with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., who played a heavy role in redrawing the state's congressional map.

The pro-redistricting campaign outspent opponents 10 to 1 on television ads, according to an analysis by The Washington Post. Republicans helped fund the legal challenge that got the map thrown out.

"The funniest part about the court's ruling that Virginia’s map is unconstitutional garbage is that the Democrats burned $64M just to get it thrown out," conservative columnist Dustin Grage wrote on social media.

"Democrats incinerated nearly $70 million on an unconstitutional gerrymandering scheme in Virginia," conservative commentator Steve Guest said after the ruling.

The court's decision marks a major setback for Democrats' push to flip the House in the midterms. Democrats made gains in California through a friendly gerrymander, but Republicans hold a lead in the national redistricting fight. The GOP has redrawn maps in Texas, North Carolina, Missouri, Florida and Tennessee that could add about 10 seats in 2026. Republicans also eye new maps in Louisiana, South Carolina and other southern states after the U.S. Supreme Court limited the use of race in drawing districts.

Jeffries called the ruling an "undemocratic action" meant to disenfranchise voters. "We are exploring all options to overturn this shocking decision," he said. "No matter what it takes, House Democrats will win in November so we can help rescue this nation from the extremism being unleashed by Donald Trump and Republicans."

Social media users mocked Virginia state Sen. L. Louise Lucas, who pushed the gerrymander with the slogan "Ten F----- One," referring to a map that would give Democrats 10 of the state's 11 congressional seats. "You all started it and we f------ finished it," Lucas wrote after Gov. Abigail Spanberger, D-Va., signed the map into law in February.

"So did Louise Lucas still 'F------ FINISH IT?'" journalist Charles Cooke wrote Friday. GOP strategist Christian Martinez said, "Tough luck, @SenLouiseLucas - merch just got Supreme Court’d straight to the clearance rack," responding to Lucas's post about "Ten F----- One" shirts. "Maybe try ‘Zero F----- Wins’ next time," he added.

"I guess it's fitting that her initials are LLL," journalist Chuck Ross wrote, referring to Lucas.

The FBI raided Lucas's office Wednesday in Portsmouth, Virginia, as part of an ongoing investigation into possible corruption tied to a marijuana dispensary business she owns, sources told Fox News Digital. A spokesperson for Lucas did not immediately respond to a request for comment.