A Democratic leader in Virginia launched a public and profane attack on two of her party’s most prominent figures over redistricting plans, as intraparty tensions flare ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, as reported by The Independent Journal Review.
Virginia state Sen. L. Louise Lucas blasted U.S. Sens. Tim Kaine and Mark Warner in a series of social media posts Saturday, accusing them of meddling in state-level redistricting and dismissing their input in crude terms.
The outburst followed action by Virginia Senate Democrats, who on Friday approved a proposed constitutional amendment allowing the General Assembly to redraw congressional district maps mid-decade.
The move comes as both parties nationally are positioning themselves for the 2026 midterms, with redistricting increasingly used as a tool to gain or protect control of the U.S. House of Representatives.
After the amendment advanced, Lucas posted an image of a McDonald’s worker asking, “Would you like fries with that?” before turning her attention to Kaine and Warner in a follow-up post.
https://t.co/ldwshmOVbC pic.twitter.com/NpZ7Kc8Xc1
— L. Louise Lucas (@SenLouiseLucas) January 16, 2026
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“I have the utmost respect for Senator Kaine and Senator Warner but we do not need ‘coaching’ on redistricting coming from a cuck chair in the corner,” Lucas wrote.
“How about you all stay focused on the fascist in the White House and let us handle redistricting in Virginia. 10-1.”
I have the utmost respect for Senator Kaine and Senator Warner but we do not need “coaching” on redistricting coming from a cuck chair in the corner. How about you all stay focused on the fascist in the White House and let us handle redistricting in Virginia. 10-1
— L. Louise Lucas (@SenLouiseLucas) January 16, 2026
The Virginia Senate voted 21–18 strictly along party lines to advance the amendment just three days into the 2026 legislative session, according to the Virginia Mercury.
Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell said Democrats pursued the move reluctantly, citing aggressive redistricting efforts underway in other states.
If approved, the amendment would allow Democrats to redraw Virginia’s 11 congressional districts mid-decade.
Party leaders have openly discussed maps that could produce a 10-to-1 Democrat-to-Republican split in the delegation, which is currently six Democrats to five Republicans.
Kaine publicly expressed concerns about the plan earlier, appearing on “Punchbowl News” to say he supported opposing President Donald Trump but was uneasy with such an aggressive redistricting approach.
Kaine said a 10-to-1 map could risk overreach, warning it might jeopardize seats and complicate voter approval if maps must be presented in a statewide referendum. He suggested a 9-to-2 split might be more sustainable.
The debate in Virginia intensified after Texas Republicans announced plans in 2025 to redraw congressional maps that could add five GOP seats before the 2026 elections.
Democratic leaders in California responded soon after, with Gov. Gavin Newsom backing Proposition 50, which voters approved, potentially reducing the state’s Republican congressional delegation from nine seats to as few as four.
The Virginia move also prompted criticism from Vice President J.D. Vance, who targeted Indiana Republicans for not countering Democratic redistricting efforts elsewhere.
On X, Vance criticized Indiana state Sen. Rodric Bray for blocking redistricting in December 2025.
“I’d like to thank @bray_rodric for not even trying to fight back against this extraordinary Democrat abuse of power,” Vance wrote.
“Now the votes of Indiana Republicans will matter far less than the votes of Virginia Democrats. We told you it would happen, and you did nothing.”
I’d like to thank @bray_rodric for not even trying to fight back against this extraordinary Democrat abuse of power.
Now the votes of Indiana Republicans will matter far less than the votes of Virginia Democrats. We told you it would happen, and you did nothing. https://t.co/oj1XvXHKvM
— JD Vance (@JDVance) January 17, 2026
Before Virginia lawmakers can redraw congressional maps and place the proposal on the ballot, the amendment must be approved by newly inaugurated Democratic Gov. Abigail Spanberger, according to the Virginia Mercury.
The offices of Warner and Kaine did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
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