McDonnell Vetoes Senate Redistricting Plan

Good news, Governor Bob McDonnell has vetoed the highly partisan Senate redistricting plan.  Democrat Senator Janet Howell created a plan that was disgraceful and grossly partisan.    In a statement, the Governor explained his reasons:

Citing significant concerns about the Senate redistricting plan, which failed to receive any bipartisan support, Governor McDonnell has vetoed HB 5001, the redistricting bill passed by the General Assembly. This is the first Senate plan over the last 40 years that did not receive at least minimum bipartisan support. This plan has also been criticized broadly for its failure to preserve communities of interest, ensure compact districts and maintain generally equivalent populations in each district. The governor will not sign a bill that he believes does not comply with state and federal law, and does not have a reasonable chance of receiving preclearance under the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which could subject Virginia to costly and lengthy litigation.