Va. Beach would lose state senator under Dem plan

UPDATE: Closely guarded redistricting maps from both chambers of the Virginia General Assembly were posted online today shortly before 6 p.m. Heavy Web traffic stalled many from looking at the newly released documents, however.

RICHMOND

Sprawling Virginia Beach has just two state senators whose territory doesn't include any other city. Soon, it may be down to one.

Sources familiar with a draft of a redistricting plan being developed by Senate Democrats said it puts Beach Republicans Frank Wagner and Jeff McWaters into one district. Some of the areas they now represent would be split among other lawmakers - a prospect that troubles good-government advocates and has some in the local GOP hopping mad.

"This is the most blatantly horrifying power play that I've seen in 35 years of redistricting politics," said Gary C. Byler, chairman of the Republicans' 2nd Congressional District Committee.

With nearly 438,000 residents, the Beach is large enough to accommodate two state Senate districts, Byler said. The ideal district size, according to the census, is 200,026 people.

Instead, it could end up split among several districts.

That runs counter to the goals of Gov. Bob McDonnell's bipartisan redistricting commission, which aimed to minimize the carving up of cities and counties into multiple districts. Cohesive districts based on existing local boundaries make it easier for voters to hold their representatives accountable, commission members say. The group's recommendations are non-binding.

Instead, advocates of a less political outcome fear this redistricting will yield "a jigsaw puzzle of uncompetitive House and Senate districts," said Olga Hernandez, president of the League of Women Voters of Virginia and a member of the Virginia Redistricting Coalition, which advocates for a bipartisan redistricting process.

Virginia lawmakers redraw legislative boundaries every 10 years, following population shifts identified in the census.

Protecting an incumbent is one thing, said Byler, acknowledging the partisan nature of the process. "But that's not what they're doing here," he said. "They are mutilating and dismembering the city of Virginia Beach" as punishment for not electing Democrats.

Just as Senate Democrats are working to enhance their majority, Republicans who control the House of Delegates are drawing territories favorable to their party.

Democratic Dels. Lynwood Lewis and Paula Miller also may be drawn into the same district. Lewis represents the Eastern Shore and parts of Norfolk and Hampton; Miller's district includes the Ocean View section of Norfolk.

Another potential target of the House GOP redistricting strategy is freshman Del. Robin Abbott, D-Newport News.

Overall, Hampton Roads could lose as many as two House seats and one in the Senate - the region has 34 seats in the legislature - because its population growth hasn't kept pace with boom areas, such as Northern Virginia, that stand to gain representation.

Only Wagner and McWaters exclusively represent the Beach under the current alignment. Wagner represents the 7th District, McWaters the 8th District.

Three other senators, Norfolk Democrats Yvonne Miller and Ralph Northam and Chesapeake Republican Harry Blevins, have Beach precincts, though that also could change under the Senate plan.

Wagner has suggested he will consider moving to Newport News, where his ship repair business is located, to challenge freshman Democratic Sen. John Miller if the redistricting plan is adopted.

"For the Democrats to presume to take the largest city in Virginia and reduce it to one seat is a travesty of representation," he said Monday.

Lawmakers are expected back in Richmond April 4 to weigh proposed maps.

Those plans must clear the legislature and be approved by federal authorities, who will review them for compliance with the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which protects the interests of minority voters.

Julian Walker, (804) 697-1564, julian.walker@pilotonline.com