Virginia Democrats plan to propose a new congressional map that would likely net four additional House seats for the party. The map reportedly would give Democrats a 10-1 congressional delegation advantage in the state. “We made a promise to level the playing field, and today we’re keeping our promise. Our maps are ready. Virginia’s ready. We said 10-1, and we meant it,” Virginia Senate President Pro Tem L. Louise Lucas told reporters. BREAKING: Virginia Democrat lawmakers are seeking to pass a 10 Democrat, 1 Republican 2026 Congressional map. pic.twitter.com/FzHs1Xr7Jy — Leading Report (@LeadingReport) February 5, 2026 POLITICO explained further: Virginia Democrats’ effort comes after a Tazewell County judge halted Democrats from moving forward, siding with Republicans who claim state lawmakers did not follow the law when they kickstarted the redistricting effort in October. The state Supreme Court is expected to weigh in on the legal challenge that Democrats violated state procedure. The pending map release comes as national Democrats view Virginia as their biggest prize in the reapportionment battle with Republicans that got underway in July, when Texas carved out five new Republican-friendly districts in hopes of keeping the House under GOP control following this fall’s elections. “Virginia to the rescue,” proclaimed Virginia House Speaker Don Scott, speaking after Lucas. He said Republicans are rigging the midterms in order to ensure Trump and Republicans maintain their hold on all levels of power in Washington. “They know they can’t win on their agenda in 2026 so instead of changing their ideas, they’re trying to break the system. A 10-1 map levels the playing field and we’re ready to move forward,” Scott said. “Donald Trump knows he’s going to lose the midterms. He knows it. That’s why he’s started this mess in the first place,” Lucas said. Footage below: BREAKING: Virginia House Speaker Don Scott and Sen. Louise Lucas just announced they will release a 10 Democrats to 1 Republican Congressional map by the end of today or early tomorrow. This is how you fight back. pic.twitter.com/FsKfpRy38T — Democratic Wins Media (@DemocraticWins) February 5, 2026 The Hill has more: Virginia Democrats had been mulling two different map proposals — one that would give the party a 10-1 edge in the congressional delegation and one that would give them a 9-2 edge. The state currently has a 6-5 Democratic edge. Virginia represents one of the last chances for Democrats to redistrict ahead of the 2026 elections. Lawmakers are looking to tee up a constitutional amendment before voters in the spring that would allow Democrats to temporarily redraw the congressional lines in the state before the midterms. A judge recently ruled that Democrats wouldn’t be able to hold their redistricting referendum in time ahead of the midterms, though the party is appealing that ruling. Should Democrats be successful with their redistricting effort before November, the new pickup opportunities could help level the playing field for the party. Republicans are so far projected to have at least nine pickup opportunities this cycle from redistricting, while Democrats currently have at least six.