Chad Green, a delegate for Virginia, said that the Democrats’ late special session on redistricting is a waste of taxpayer money and distracts from governing. He pledged his per diem to those affected by this decision. This statement was made on the social media platform X.
“The Democrats have called for a ‘Special Session’ to play games,” said Green. “It is partisan politics at its worst. While the Democrats will be wasting thousands in taxpayer money for this stunt, I will be doing what we are supposed to: helping people. While we should be doing the people’s business, we are instead wasting thousands in taxpayer dollars. Therefore, I will be donating my full session per diem to individuals affected by the Democrat Party’s incompetence.”
In the final stretch of the campaign, Virginia Democrats reconvened a surprise special session to consider a constitutional amendment that could allow lawmakers to redraw congressional maps mid-decade. According to reports, Republicans objected to both the timing and substance of this move, labeling it as partisan overreach while early voting was underway. They warned that it would disrupt the voter-approved commission model. Coverage highlighted that these developments have heightened tensions statewide.
VPM reports that any change in redistricting requires identical amendment passage in two General Assembly sessions, separated by an election, followed by voter ratification. Democrats are attempting to meet deadlines so any revision could affect the 2026 cycle; past practices in Virginia have even moved primaries to accommodate map changes. The session also requires Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears to preside over the Senate during peak campaign days.
Virginia voters approved the Redistricting Commission Amendment (Question 1) on November 3, 2020, with 65.69% support. This created a 16-member bipartisan commission and designated the Virginia Supreme Court as a backstop if the process deadlocks. This mandate is central to current debates over any mid-decade legislative redraws.
W. Chad Green Sr., who represents House District 69 covering parts of Gloucester, James City, York, and Newport News, is a Republican and former chair of the York County Board of Supervisors. Green serves on committees including Privileges and Elections and Education, emphasizing responsive constituent service and fiscal stewardship.
