March 2, 2026 Editor, The News-Gazette: This letter is in response to the Feb. 11 letter from Jan Lowry. It is clear that Lowry wants a double standard that would benefit other Republican states while penalizing those of us who live in Virginia.
Specifically, while midterm redistricting is not common, remember that the current cycle started with the president’s explicit demand in summer 2025 that MAGA leaders in Texas, North Carolina, Indiana and Florida increase Republican congressional seats.
It is only now, after these first steps in other states, that Virginia Republicans express concerns and complaints about actions “detrimental to democracy.” In urging us to vote against the pending Virginia proposal, we see a MAGA attempt to apply a double standard. Although the president chose to start the redistricting game, Republicans and MAGA disciples here in Virginia don’t want the same rules.
So, what is the message for local voters? Simply stated, don’t fall for another MAGA “misdirection trick.” You know, that happens when someone tries to get you to look way up at their left hand waving high above their head, while hiding something in hidden pockets with their right hands.
Folks around here may have initially fallen for some MAGA misdirection tricks (and we’re not sure yet what they’ve hidden). But since then, we’ve learned the many ways that MAGA leaders are not very good magicians. Instead, we’ve seen that many cannot be trusted as they attempt one bad trick after another in attempting to grab more and more power. DENNY GARVIS Lexington
