Virginia Democrats' lobster-shaped map could tilt the U.S. House

Virginia Democrats unveiled a new, haphazardly drawn congressional map they say would flip about four GOP districts, potentially giving Democrats 10 of 11 House seats. The plan carves up Northern Virginia into five districts, runs a Blue Ridge–Charlottesville–Lynchburg corridor, and shifts the Richmond and Norfolk areas, with the 2nd District moved toward more Democratic portions. The map, described as “maximalist” and likened to a lobster, aims to maximize Democratic gains and has sparked partisan backlash as the redistricting referendum approaches; supporters frame it as countering Trump-era GOP maps and defending fair maps, while opponents label it gerrymandering.