Virginia redistricting vote set to shift power north, op-ed argues

Oliver Anthony emerged out of nowhere in 2023 with the hauntingly simple hit “Rich Men North of Richmond,” which lamented the power and control the professional and industrial northern classes had over the rural south. In the ongoing Congressional redistricting battle in Virginia, Anthony’s song comes to life.

On April 21, in a special election to amend the Commonwealth constitution, Democrats in Virginia’s wealthy north are poised to disenfranchise the poorer south, changing the congressional map from a 6-5 Democratic advantage to a clearly undemocratic 10-1 edge in the delegation.

David, who lives in Windsor and works construction part-time in the Williamsburg area, told me he felt powerless.

“It feels like the Democrats control everything now and no one objects,” he told me. “I only see ads on TV for yes voters.”

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It has a meaning. Windsor is south of Richmond, and real power in the state is increasingly in the hands of Virginia’s very rich, very blue counties north of Richmond, leaving the poorer residents of the southern counties out of luck.

But some people resist.

My son gestured toward the parking lot after finishing his meal at Craft 41, a nice mid-range restaurant outside Williamsburg. Over my shoulder I saw someone put a “Vote No” sign on the windshield like it was sunscreen.

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A couple who appeared to be in their late 70s, both wearing American flag sweaters, walked in. They were sitting while I paid the bill, and although it wouldn’t make my boss happy, I didn’t dare interrupt their lovely meal by asking them questions about politics.

A couple voted against a referendum that would change the Virginia Congressional map in their SUV. (Fox News Digital)

Apparently I didn’t have to do that, because their message was literally painted on the side of their vehicle, some of it saying:

“Redistricting ignores more than 1/3 of Virginia voters.”

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He also uttered the damning quote, “Gerrymandering is detrimental to our democracy,” uttered by none other than current Virginia Democratic Governor Abigail Spanburger.

As I fired up the ignition of my Lancer, I said to my son: “The Virginia GOP has more money than God, and yet these two people have crafted the best political message I’ve seen this entire race.”

The upcoming vote pits rural Virginians against wealthy citizens of northern counties and could leave the Old Dominion with a single reliable seat in the Republican House. (Fox News Digital)

Just like last year’s race for governor, the Virginia Republican Party and the national GOP, I would add, were flat-out, ineffective, and worse, more interested in the rich guys north of Richmond than the ordinary people in the south and west of the state.

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Much of the GOP and conservative media over the past two weeks has focused on NOVA issues, such as taxes on the wealthy or services used by the wealthy, as Northern Virginia is known; This is not a winning strategy.

If Republicans want to pull off a late-game victory in Virginia, they need to understand that this is a class war, not a policy fight. It is the moccasin and cardigan set that sticks on men and women with calluses and steals their votes.

Part of the problem is that the Virginia GOP leadership is also big fans of loafers and cardigans, and there is no Oliver Anthony who can speak for the forgotten working class, farmers, and patriots.

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There is a racial aspect to all of this, too, because if any political party were to attempt wholesale disenfranchisement of poor Black or Hispanic people, the blatant treatment of poor White people here would be a national scandal.

Maybe part of the reason I couldn’t muster up the courage to talk to the old couple in the restaurant was because I thought they were going to lose it, and I didn’t like the idea of ​​telling them that.

But at least they’re not going down without a fight, which is more than I can say so far for the state and national GOP.

SOROS-SUPPORTED GROUP AMONG LIBERAL ORGANIS, MONEY PAID FOR VIRGINIA, GERRYMANDERING EFFORTS

Oliver Anthony sings in his song;

“I live with an old soul in the new world

These rich men north of Richmond

God knows they all want to have complete control.”

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It’s not just a song anymore, it’s real life. And on April 21, the poor men south of Richmond will be robbed of their right to vote.

If there is any chance of stopping this, then that must be the message, and it must be very loud.

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