Democratic Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger booed at Old Fiddlers’ Convention amid fallout over her redistricting push

Democratic Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger received a chilly reception during a weekend appearance in Galax, where parts of the crowd booed her at the 90th annual Old Fiddlers’ Convention.

The awkward moment comes amid growing criticism from the Republicans of Spanberger’s mid-decade redistricting effort.

The official stance

Spanberger was introduced at the 90th annual Old Fiddlers’ Convention before she took the stage for roughly half a minute.

According to Fox News, a video from the event revealed parts of the crowd booing the governor.

She later highlighted the trip in a Facebook video but did not mention people’s reaction to her presence.

“I’m in Galax. We just went to the Old Fiddlers’ Convention and I joined community members at the Poor Man’s Dinner,” she said. “It was an incredible time. There was great food, great music and great community.”

Her office also offered a positive account of the visit.

“Governor Spanberger and her husband Adam had a wonderful time at the Old Fiddlers’ Convention and Poor Man’s Dinner in Galax this weekend — talking to many community members, enjoying the music and festivities and celebrating the convention’s 90th year,” her office said.

Spanberger’s redistricting fight

Republicans have linked the backlash to Spanberger’s support for a mid-decade redistricting referendum that would have allowed Virginia to redraw its congressional map.

Republican Del. Tom Garrett addressed the Galax reception during an interview with WSET ABC 13, arguing that Spanberger had changed her position on the issue.

“She campaigned and she was asked about doing a mid-decade redistrict to grab power and take voices away from people outside of Northern Virginia. She said she wouldn’t do it and then she led the charge,” he said.

The referendum passed narrowly in April, with voters approving it 51%-49%. More than $64 million was spent on the campaign supporting the measure, while the opposition raised roughly $21 million, according to The Hill.

Spanberger defended the proposal as a response to redistricting efforts in other states, particularly Texas.

During an appearance on MS Now’s Morning Joe, she addressed the campaign against the referendum and accused opponents of misrepresenting her position.

“You know, certainly we were out and about encouraging people to vote ‘yes,’ but the ‘no’ campaign was strong. It was ample,” she stated. “It featured millions of dollars worth of television ads and mailers, you know, misrepresenting my position and President Obama’s position, trying to trick people.”

Virginia Supreme Court struck down Spanberger’s effort

The marginal victory, however, did not settle the matter because the Virginia Supreme Court ultimately struck down the redistricting effort in a 4-3 ruling.

The court found that lawmakers had failed to follow the constitutional procedures required to make the change. As a result, Virginia’s existing congressional map remained in place.

The ruling turned what had initially been viewed as a major Democratic win into a setback for Spanberger, giving Republicans another point of criticism.