The MeidasTouch Podcast — Virginia House Speaker Don Scott Discusses Redistricting Plan

Date: December 6, 2025
Featured Guest: Don Scott, Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas

Episode Overview

This episode centers on the fallout from a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision upholding partisan gerrymandering in Texas and the swift response by Virginia's Democratic leadership. Speaker Don Scott joins the Meiselas brothers to unpack Virginia’s potential countermeasures—including a constitutional amendment aimed at redrawing congressional districts mid-decade—and the broader fight to protect democratic norms against aggressive Republican tactics.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Supreme Court Ruling on Texas Gerrymandering

• Background: The Supreme Court, in a 6-3 decision, gave Texas a green light to redraw congressional districts favoring Republicans, potentially generating five new GOP seats (03:02).
• Implications: The hosts argue this opens the door for in-kind gerrymanders in Democratic-led states as a means of “offsetting” Republican efforts elsewhere (03:02-06:30).

2. Virginia’s Response: Taking Action

• Don Scott’s Stance:
  • Scott asserts that “you have to stand up to the bully on the block,” emphasizing that Democrats are compelled to fight fire with fire to prevent being outmaneuvered at the polls (07:04).
  • Scott says Democrats ideally oppose gerrymandering but cannot “unilaterally disarm” given Republican actions across multiple states (07:36).
• Legislative Action:
  • Virginia passed the first step of a constitutional amendment allowing mid-decade redistricting; a second, required vote is scheduled for the very first day of the next session (January 14th) (08:24).
  • The measure would go to a public referendum, aiming for completion by April 2026 to impact the upcoming midterms (08:24-09:45).
  • Scott believes a “10-1” Democratic-Republican congressional split is possible, citing recent Democrat victories and expanded majorities in the legislature (09:45).
    • “I don’t think it’s out of the realm of possibility to get to a 10-1 map in light of the shellacking that we just put on the Republicans in Virginia this last cycle.” — Don Scott (09:45)

3. Political and Economic Context in Virginia

• Tensions with the Federal Government:
  • Virginia faces unique pressures with a high number of federal employees and veterans, compounded by Elon Musk’s recent “chainsaw” approach to federal jobs—described as an “assault on veterans” (11:04).
  • The broader context is framed as an “outward hostility from the [Trump] regime against Virginia,” including healthcare and affordability crises (10:30).
• Rejection of Trumpism:
  • Virginia voters turned away from MAGA candidates, even flipping five districts Trump carried in 2024 (11:34).
  • Scott argues that “the gig is up for Donald Trump,” contending that Trump’s repeated lies and failed promises have alienated working Virginians (11:34).
    • “People know when they’ve been lied to. And I think the gig is up for Donald Trump. People see who he is. He’s just trying to line his own pockets...” — Don Scott (11:34)

4. The Decline of Responsible Governance

• Republican Dysfunction:
  • The hosts and Scott ridicule MAGA-associated officials for behaving with “zero empathy,” comparing their conduct to unruly second graders (13:02-13:50).
    • “It’s like the meanest people on Twitter who are anonymous actually are now running the federal government.” — Don Scott (13:50)
• Democratic Goals:
  • Scott floats the slogan “Make America Boring Again (MABA),” advocating competent, responsive, and drama-free government, contrasting with MAGA chaos (14:10).
    • “At the end of the day, we want to deliver. It’s not just good enough to win. You have to win and then you have to deliver.” — Don Scott (14:28)

5. The New National Reality: “Floodgates” Open on Gerrymandering

• The Supreme Court’s inaction signals to state legislatures that partisan gerrymandering will not be checked by federal courts—so long as it's not explicitly race-based, even when race is plainly a consideration (14:42-15:51).
• The hosts and Scott agree Democrats must respond in kind, not “unilaterally disarm” while Republicans redraw maps unopposed (14:42-15:51).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Political Retaliation & Principle:
  • “We’re hoping that there’s a federal ban on gerrymandering. But...we have to level the playing field. We can’t pretend that they’re playing in a fair manner.” — Don Scott (07:30)
• On Legislative Process:
  • “The first thing we did...is pass a constitutional amendment...to allow for mid-decade redistricting. We will do [the second vote] on the very first day of session.” — Don Scott (08:24)
• On Trump-era Politics:
  • “It’s probably not good to be MAGA when MAGA ain’t on the ballot...Right now, the Republicans in Virginia have lost the right to be a good governing partner...” — Don Scott (12:29)
• On Government Dysfunction:
  • “We want to be maba...make America boring again. You remember when you didn’t turn on the TV and your anxiety levels didn’t go up?” — Don Scott (14:10)
• On the Supreme Court’s Message:
  • “When I read that Supreme Court decision...for better or for worse, the floodgates are open. Legislatures, whatever you do, we don’t touch. And as long as it’s partisanship...until a federal law is passed...just do whatever you want to do.” — Interviewer (14:42)

Key Timestamps

• 03:02 — Recap of the Supreme Court’s Texas decision and rationale
• 07:04 — Don Scott on “standing up to the bully,” the Texas precedent, and the rationale for redistricting
• 08:24 — Process and timeline for Virginia’s constitutional amendment and potential results
• 11:04 — Impact of federal layoffs, economic pressure, and Musk’s influence in Virginia
• 13:50 — Critique of MAGA leadership culture compared to responsible governance; “Make America Boring Again”
• 14:42 — Reflections on Supreme Court’s deference to legislatures and the race/partisanship distinction
• 15:51 — Closing thoughts on not “unilaterally disarming” and protecting Virginia’s franchise

Summary

This episode provides a timely, in-depth look at how states are reacting to the Supreme Court’s endorsement of aggressive redistricting. Don Scott details Virginia’s push for a constitutional amendment to facilitate mid-decade redistricting as both a defensive and offensive measure. The conversation blends policy specifics with colorful, candid commentary, painting the political landscape as a high-stakes game in which Democrats cannot afford to play by outdated rules. The hosts and Scott agree: Democrats must protect democracy by matching Republican tactics—until genuine reform or a federal ban on gerrymandering is achieved.