Eric Holder Statement on Virginians Passing Redistricting Measure to Level the Playing Field in 2026

Washington, D.C. — Eric H. Holder, Jr., the 82nd Attorney General of the United States and Chairman of the National Democratic Redistricting Committee (NDRC), released the following statement in response to Virginia voters approving a redistricting referendum to level the playing field against Republicans’ egregious power grabs in Texas, Missouri, and North Carolina. 

“Tonight, Virginians reminded the country of something powerful: democracy still belongs to the people. They showed up, stood up, and proved that even in the face of an unprecedented effort to undermine our country’s democracy, voters will have the final say. The mere existence of this special election stands in stark contrast to the gerrymanders forced on constituents in Texas, Missouri, and North Carolina and shows that voters are tired of Republican attempts to silence their power at the voting booth.

“Virginians’ courageous action today will have an impact far beyond the commonwealth. They didn’t just win an election – they have stopped Donald Trump’s attempt to steal the 2026 midterms in its tracks and defended the principle that elections should be fair, competitive, and decided by the people.

“Let this be a message to MAGA Republicans and the White House: enough is enough. If Republicans insist on continuing efforts to draw the American people out of a say in the future of their country, they can expect to see voters across the country follow in Virginians’ and Californians’ footsteps and rise up to stop them.”

ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND:

This election was a top priority for Attorney General Holder, who was an early endorser of Virginia’s redistricting referendum. Under AG Holder’s leadership, NDRC and its affiliates have continuously mobilized their grassroots networks to get out the vote and have worked to combat disinformation from MAGA-aligned groups. Just last month, President Barack Obama partnered with NDRC to urge Virginians to vote “YES” on the measure. In April, Attorney General Holder traveled to Virginia to help get out the vote and talk to voters about the importance of this race. He joined a canvass kick-off event in Arlington, Virginia, with Congressman Don Beyer, spoke with Virginia Mercury and WUSA 9 about his support for the referendum, and met with local online content creators to highlight the stakes to their audiences, including Elizabeth Booker Houston of BookerSquared. Ahead of Election Day, he also joined a virtual rally hosted by online content creator Brian Tyler Cohen to help drive the Virginians For Fair Elections campaign through the finish line. NDRC and affiliates have also deployed staff to go to Virginia to support get-out-the-vote efforts.

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