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A cursory glance at the latest Tayloe Murphy Institute population estimates make it obvious that even the most blatant gerrymandering couldn’t prevent urban-suburban interests from gaining considerably more power under the U.S. Supreme Court’s one-man, one-vote edict.
If Doug Wilder is sitting as governor when redistricting occurs, Democrats who control the House and Senate can and will draw new boundaries to their advantage. ^
The first rule in the process will be, as usual, the prevention of oxen of incumbent Democrats from being gored. Single-member districts make that easier.
Democrats could then draw lines to help them pick up a couple more congressional seats, including a new one Virginia will get, and add to present majorities in both General Assembly chambers.
But should Republicans regain the governorship, any highly partisan redistricting plan will be vetoed and the veto likely sustained in the House.
That would create a Mexican standoff, forcing some compromise plan palatable to both parties.
Simply put, a Wilder win will almost certain wipe out any chance of Republicans taking control of the House of Delegates until at least the early part of the 21st century.
No matter who is the chief executive, though, the rural areas whose Democratic “good
95.9%