As one might imagine, the reactions to Friday's Virginia Supreme Court ruling are fast and flowing, with the state's Republicans doing a victory dance while the state's Democrats - and high-ranking Dems in Congress - cope and seethe.
Not surprisingly, Democrat House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (NY-08) isn't talking much about "maximum warfare" at the moment, but he does seem to think Democrats may have another option or two on the table:
The decision by the Virginia Supreme Court to overturn the will of more than three million voters will not stand. pic.twitter.com/ZtayVJRw4T
— Hakeem Jeffries (@RepJeffries) May 8, 2026
"Maximum Warfare" hitting a little snag 😂 https://t.co/6eig8wbbAF pic.twitter.com/6gx4EVXC0V
— Western Lensman (@WesternLensman) May 8, 2026
Jeffries' vow to "explore other options" was echoed by Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones (D), who paused his fantasies about killing former GOP colleagues to bizarrely accuse the Virginia Supreme Court of partisanship:
The strength and stability of our democracy depends on adherence to the rule of law, the execution of free and fair elections where every eligible voter can cast their ballots to choose their leaders, and public trust in the institutions that provide accountability and protect our democratic processes. This Court’s ruling follows a dangerous trend of tilting power away from the people.
My team is carefully reviewing this unprecedented order and we are evaluating every legal pathway forward to defend the will of the people and protect the integrity of Virginia’s elections.
SEE ALSO: The Virginia Supreme Court Just Changed the Midterm Math
Former Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R), who put his money where his mouth is in joining the fight against the Democrats' gerrymander scheme, had this to say:
Justice has been served. From the beginning, this was the most obvious violation of Virginia’s Constitution. Abigail Spanberger and Democrats in Richmond knowingly violated our constitution to disenfranchise millions of Virginians.
The Constitution prevailed, and Virginians will never forget this unlawful attempt to rob them of their voice in Congress.
Justice has been served. From the beginning, this was the most obvious violation of Virginia’s Constitution. Abigail Spanberger and Democrats in Richmond knowingly violated our constitution to disenfranchise millions of Virginians.
— Glenn Youngkin (@GlennYoungkin) May 8, 2026
The Constitution prevailed, and Virginians will… https://t.co/WkoEwhMPOH
Former Virginia AG Jason Miyares (R) said "told ya so":
If Abigail Spanberger and Virginia Democrats had paid attention my October 2025 AG’s Opinion that made clear this scheme was unconstitutional and illegal, they could have saved more than $70 million, countless headaches, and months of obnoxious television ads defending the indefensible.
Instead, they ignored the law, wasted taxpayer money on running a special election, and dragged Virginians through a completely avoidable mess.
If Abigail Spanberger and Virginia Democrats had paid attention my October 2025 AG’s Opinion that made clear this scheme was unconstitutional and illegal, they could have saved more than $70 million, countless headaches, and months of obnoxious television ads defending the… https://t.co/787vvZRHZD
— Jason Miyares (@JasonMiyaresVA) May 8, 2026
President Trump called it a "huge win":
— RNC Election Integrity (@RNCVoteProtect) May 8, 2026
Checking in on @TheDemocrats pic.twitter.com/ApdQ3f4hwK
— Logan Hall (@loganclarkhall) May 8, 2026
Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairman Joe Gruters wrote:
HUGE WIN FOR ELECTION INTEGRITY
— Chairman Joe Gruters (@ChairmanGruters) May 8, 2026
This was a clear violation of the Constitution - that’s why the RNC stepped in to stop Democrats’ rigged maps and WON! https://t.co/XVTHE5mSjl
National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) Chairman Richard Hudson (NC-09) observed:
Chairman @RepHudsonNC Statement on NRCC Victory as Court Strikes Down Illegal Virginia Democrat Gerrymander pic.twitter.com/n7LrBDzXYK
— NRCC (@NRCC) May 8, 2026
Republican GOTV activist Scott Presler wanted to make sure to give credit where due:
No one did more to help stop the unconstitutional gerrymandered Virginia maps than Congressman Ben Cline (R-VA).
— ThePersistence (@ScottPresler) May 8, 2026
Sir, you’re a hero.
You deserve re-election this November.
Everyone, please take a moment to FOLLOW 👉 @Cline4Virginia. pic.twitter.com/fMXhDQHBXu
And the dunks and memes? Those were great, too:
Hakeem Jeffries' 501(c)4 spent nearly $40 million on the blatantly illegal Virginia gerrymander their state Supreme Court has now struck down.
— Brandon Gill (@realBrandonGill) May 8, 2026
Is this what the "maximum warfare" we've been hearing about looks like? pic.twitter.com/sX9ttVzhZb
Hope those didn’t go to production yet! https://t.co/4koGdmdPj4 pic.twitter.com/xJGzywC7sP
— Chris Olmstead (@ct_olmstead) May 8, 2026
https://t.co/CYMwy7Tok5 pic.twitter.com/G65XEhgYTg
— Abby Ronson (@abbyronson) May 8, 2026
Happy Friday @SenLouiseLucas! 🤣🤣🤣 https://t.co/y28Z6mBvRC pic.twitter.com/yvNqT64ApU
— Christian Martinez (@CDHMartinez) May 8, 2026
Get shucked lobstah pic.twitter.com/3Kt0YUSnut
— Maggie Howell (@Mar__G_3) May 8, 2026
— Margot Cleveland (@ProfMJCleveland) May 8, 2026
And on a more serious note, some final thoughts from esteemed George Washington University law school Professor Jonathan Turley:
... The court found that the gerrymandering effort is "wholly unprecedented in Virginia’s history." It characterized the position as a "clever argument is a story of the tail wagging the dog that has no tail."
— Jonathan Turley (@JonathanTurley) May 8, 2026
The Virginia Supreme Court just cooked "the Lobster," and with it, the ambitions of Gov. Abigail Spanberger and the Democratic party. https://t.co/el7pof1T1O All is that left is a lingering sense of betrayal by GOP and independent voters who faced erasure from the gerrymander.
— Jonathan Turley (@JonathanTurley) May 8, 2026
If this isn't motivating enough to get Virginia Republicans (and those in all other states) to participate full force in the 2026 midterms, I don't know what is. Just do it.
Editor’s Note: The 2026 Midterms will determine the fate of President Trump’s America First agenda. Republicans must maintain control of both chambers of Congress.
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