Virginia Democrats Block GOP Efforts to Condemn Political Violence

Virginia Democrats rejected calls to condemn political violence this week after bringing the legislature back into special session to promote a redistricting amendment aimed at reshaping state maps ahead of the 2026 general election.

Del. Delores Oates, R-Front Royal, was given the floor to address a House session Wednesday; presentation of a group of women called “Moms say no to violence against children”.

But Oates’ introduction was short-lived, as she began to explain that “our children are Virginia’s future, the hearts of our families, and a gift from God.”

“When someone, especially a public figure, wishes harm on a child – that they die in their mother’s arms so they can gain a political point, these moms refuse to stay silent.”

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After Oates uttered “die in their mother’s arms,” ​​House Speaker Don Scott, a Portsmouth Democrat, slammed his gavel and announced that Oates was “out of commission.”

Scott appeared to recognize Oates’ reference to text messages from Jay Jones, the Democratic nominee for attorney general, about a former Republican leader. Scott is a staunch defender of Jones who told reporters after the gubernatorial debate that Republicans should pay more attention to President Donald Trump’s past comments about former Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney.

Scott then pronounced “Sergeant at Arms”, as if to threaten Oates with formal punishment for continuing to speak.

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On the Senate side of the Capitol, Republicans sought unsuccessfully to insert an amendment to the text of the original resolution describing the special session, which would have recognized the issue of political violence in Virginia.

Senator Mark Peake, Republican of Lynchburg – who is also chairman of the party – wrote a text “condemning politicians who wish the deaths of the children and families of elected officials”.

It was also quickly rejected by Democrats, including Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell of Mount Vernon, who recommended his colleagues reject it.

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“I don’t think it’s something we need to address in this special session,” Surovell said.

“It’s something we can easily address later in the regular session – it’s not something urgent at this time.”

The Senate Republican caucus responded indignantly, writing on

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Shortly after Surovell’s formal recommendation, the Senate voted 21-17 along party lines to follow his advice and reject the amendment.

The move would have added such language to the state Constitution, according to Del. David Owen, R-Short Pump.

“That’s why elections are important,” Owen said. “Don’t sit idly by. Plan your vote today.”

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Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell of Mount Vernon, left; House Speaker Don Scott Jr. of Portsmouth, right (Minh Connors for The Washington Post via Getty Images; Shannon Finney/Getty Images for SEIU)

Rep. Kim Taylor, a St. Petersburg Republican who was personally the subject of a death threat that led to the arrest of a Dinwiddie County man, is furious at the Democrats’ pushback.

“As someone who has personally been the subject of politically motivated threats, I am appalled,” she said.

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“Violence has no place in our politics and refusing to condemn it is indefensible.”

In a statement, Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, the Republican candidate for governor, called the situation “shameful.”