Northam statement on General Assembly opportunity to end racial gerrymandering

Governor Ralph Northam today issued the following statement on Attorney General Mark Herring’s decision not to expend more taxpayer resources appealing a federal court’s ruling striking down 11 unconstitutional racially gerrymandered House of Delegates districts.

“Virginia has the opportunity to right a wrong and we should take it,” said Governor Northam. “The Commonwealth has spent over three years and millions of dollars in the defense of unconstitutional racially gerrymandered districts and we should not waste another penny or second. The Court has offered the General Assembly the chance to draw districts that are fair, nonpartisan, and accurately reflect every Virginian. I know we are capable of coming together to do this the Virginia Way and I am urging leaders on both sides of the aisle in the General Assembly to seize this opportunity to do what we know is right.”