Dear Friend,

It has been another busy week in Richmond, and I wanted to share a few key updates to keep you informed about what’s happening during this Legislative Session. This week, Democrats stopped a number of common-sense bills that would have helped small businesses, strengthened public safety, improved election integrity, and lowered costs for Virginians. These legislative proposals were designed to address important issues facing our community, and their rejection means that opportunities to support local businesses, enhance safety, ensure fair elections, and reduce expenses for families will not move forward at this time. 

This week brought a significant success regarding redistricting. Republicans achieved a major legal victory in the case of McDougle v. Nardo, which challenged the Democrats' efforts to advance the redistricting constitutional amendment (HJR 6007) during the 2024 Special Session. The court determined that the General Assembly had violated its own Special Session rules and had not met the necessary constitutional and statutory requirements. As a result, all actions connected to HJR 6007 in that Special Session have been declared void from the outset.

Senate District Nine Student Chosen to Serve as Senate Page

Senator Tammy Brankley Mulchi (R-Mecklenburg) is proud to announce Miss Courtney Astle is serving as a Senate Page Program during the 2026 General Assembly session. Courtney was chosen for her strong academic performance, leadership potential, and enthusiasm for learning about state government. As a student-athlete, she stays busy playing basketball, volleyball, soccer, and golf, balancing her commitments both on and off the field with dedication and determination.

Miss Astle is an 8th grader at Kenston Forest Middle School in Nottoway County. Courtney is especially excited about the opportunity to stay in a hotel during the program and experience life at the Capitol firsthand. Her favorite subject in school is math, where she enjoys problem-solving and critical thinking – skills that will serve her well during her time as a Senate Page. While she is eager for the experience, Courtney says the biggest thing she will miss from home is her dog, Josie, a Bouvier des Flandres and Poodle mix, who is a big part of her everyday life.



“Courtney represents the very best of our community—curious, hardworking, and ready to serve,” said Tammy Brankley Mulchi. “It is an honor to have her join the Senate Page Program, and I know she will take full advantage of this incredible opportunity to learn and grow.”

Courtney shared her excitement as well, saying, “I’m really grateful to be selected as a Senate Page. I’m excited to see how the Senate works, meet new people, and be part of something so important. It’s an experience I’ll never forget.”

The Office of Senator Tammy Brankley Mulchi congratulates Courtney Astle on this outstanding achievement and wishes her the very best during her time in Richmond. The Virginia Senate Page Program offers students a unique opportunity to gain firsthand insight into the legislative process, and Courtney’s selection is a testament to her hard work, character, and promise for the future. Senator Mulchi and her staff look forward to welcoming Courtney to the Capitol and are confident she will represent Kenston Forest Middle School and her community with pride and excellence.

Mulchi was elected to the Senate of Virginia in a January 2024 special election to replace retiring Senator Frank Ruff. Senator Mulchi represents the Ninth District, which includes the counties of Charlotte, Lunenburg, Nottoway, Mecklenburg, Pittsylvania, Halifax, part of Prince Edward, and the city of Danville. 

Senate Republican Caucus Celebrates Court Victory Protecting Virginia Voters and the Redistricting Commission

RICHMOND, VA – The Virginia Senate Republican Caucus announced that the Tazewell County Circuit Court has ruled in favor of Virginia voters, declaring House Joint Resolution 6007 unconstitutional and void from the beginning. This landmark decision in McDougle, Stanley, and Kilgore v. Nardo protects the Virginia Redistricting Commission that voters overwhelmingly approved in 2020 and reaffirms that no political party—regardless of how much power it holds—can circumvent the law and the Virginia Constitution to serve its own interests.

In October 2025, House Speaker Don Scott reconvened the 2024 Special Session—originally called by Governor Youngkin solely for budget purposes—and introduced a constitutional amendment to strip the citizen-led Redistricting Commission of its authority over congressional districts. The resolution passed along strict party lines, 50-42 in the House and 21-17 in the Senate, despite the General Assembly's own procedural rules requiring unanimous consent to add new items to the Special Session's limited agenda. Senator Stanley, alongside Senator Ryan McDougle (R-Hanover County), Delegate Terry Kilgore (R-Scott County), and citizen commissioner Virginia Trost-Thornton, filed suit to protect the Constitution and the will of Virginia voters.

Judge Jack S. Hurley, Jr. agreed, writing, "This blatant abuse of power by a majority IGNORES their own rules and resolutions thereby trampling ANY and ALL procedural rights of the minority.” The Court found that the General Assembly violated its own rules, failed to meet constitutional timing requirements for proposing amendments, and did not comply with Virginia Code Section 30-13 regarding public notice to voters. Judge Hurley issued both a temporary and permanent injunction, prohibiting the proposed amendment from being submitted to voters until at least ninety days before the 2027 House of Delegates election—effectively ending the Democratic majority's attempt to redraw the rules of redistricting to benefit their own party.

Senator McDougle released the following statement:

"The court confirmed that Democrat legislative leaders unlawfully expanded a Special Session, violated their own rules, and attempted to force through a redistricting constitutional amendment while Virginians were already voting.”

Senator Stanley released the following statement:

"Today is a victory for every Virginian who believes in fair representation and the rule of law. In 2020, the people of this Commonwealth voted to create an independent Redistricting Commission—taking the power to draw district lines out of the hands of politicians and giving it to the people. Today's ruling affirms that their voice matters and their vote will be protected.”

“While I know that Democrats will appeal, I am confident that the Appeals Court will uphold this sound and just ruling today by the Tazewell County Circuit Court, because the law is the law.”

Senator Obenshain released the following statement:

"This is a clear win for the voters of Virginia, who decided overwhelmingly to take partisan politics out of redistricting. Today, a Virginia court agreed: Democrats violated the law to push through their gerrymandering amendment. The Constitution won.”

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