Republican PACs Are Using Klan Imagery to Target Black Voters in Virginia
The big picture: A Republican-aligned PAC called “Democracy and Justice” is sending mailers to Black voters in Virginia using Klan imagery and Jim Crow references to discourage support for an April 21st redistricting referendum. The mailers use out-of-context quotes from Barack Obama and Governor Spanberger to suggest they oppose the referendum. Both support it. The referendum would create 10 Democratic-leaning districts and protect Virginia’s two Black representatives. Only 52% of voters support it. Early voting is underway.
Why it matters: With a margin this narrow, targeted misinformation aimed at the community most likely to support the referendum could tip the outcome. Democrats are being forced to spend time and money debunking propaganda instead of campaigning. AND this is a playbook. If it works in Virginia, it gets used everywhere.
The referendum: April 21st. Decides whether Virginia redraws congressional maps. Would create 10 Harris-favoring districts, 1 Trump-favoring district. Protects two Black representatives’ seats. Bipartisan maps redrawn in 2030. Republicans have sued, claiming rural voter disenfranchisement.
The mailers: Sent by “Democracy and Justice,” led by former delegate A.C. Cordoza. Use Klan imagery and read: “Our ancestors fought to represent us. Now, Richmond politicians are trying to take our districts away. Just like Jim Crow, they want to silence your voice.” Virginia AG Jay Jones: “These ads deliberately exploit the history of Jim Crow and the Civil Rights Movement to mislead Black voters and suppress participation.”
The out-of-context quotes: Mailers use old Obama and Spanberger statements to suggest they oppose the referendum. Spanberger’s actual position: “I have made it very clear that I support a ‘yes’ vote.” Officials are asking Obama to visit Virginia to clarify his position. The Republican Party chair defended the quotes: “They were against gerrymandering before they were for it.”
The broader context: Republicans in North Carolina, Missouri, and Texas have aggressively gerrymandered for years. Virginia’s referendum is a response. Democrats are using the same tool. Obama came around to supporting blue-state redistricting after Trump’s redistricting push. Democrats have raised ~$50 million. Republican cash flow is increasing.
The polling:
79% — Black voters who understand the referendum benefits Democrats
72% — all voters who understand this
52% — overall support (narrow margin)
By the numbers:
10 — Democratic-leaning districts the referendum would create
1 — Trump-leaning district
52% — overall support
$50 million — raised by Democrats for the effort
0 — involvement the Virginia GOP chair claims with the PAC
The bottom line: A Republican PAC is using Klan imagery to convince Black voters that protecting their own representation is actually Jim Crow. They’re using out-of-context quotes from leaders who actively support the referendum. Support is at 52%. Early voting is underway. Democrats are spending time debunking instead of campaigning. Republicans wouldn’t be doing this if they weren’t worried. When you’re sending Klan imagery to Black voters to convince them to vote against their own interests, you’re not campaigning. You’re panicking. The question is whether it works.
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