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Virginia Democrats lost the congressional map they hoped would help them win as many as four Republican-held seats in this year鈥檚 midterm elections.
Pete Buttigieg says they may not need it.
The former U.S. transportation secretary and 2020 presidential candidate said Democrats can still make significant gains under Virginia鈥檚 existing map if they field competent candidates who keep their campaigns focused on affordability, healthcare and corruption in Washington.
鈥淚 think even with a nationwide picture where maps are distorted to the benefit of Republicans on average, we can still win,鈥� Buttigieg said in an interview with The Mercury Wednesday. 鈥淲e鈥檝e done it before, without the benefit of fair maps, and I think we鈥檙e going to do it this year.鈥�
Buttigieg has endorsed three Democrats competing in the Aug. 4 primary: Henrico County Commonwealth鈥檚 Attorney Shannon Taylor in the 1st congressional District, former U.S. Rep. Elaine Luria in the 2nd and former U.S. Rep. Tom Perriello in the 5th.
All three are seeking nominations to challenge Republican incumbents in November, contests Buttigieg called 鈥渧ital鈥� to Democrats鈥� efforts to regain control of the U.S. House.
鈥淚 think right now with everything that voters and their families are up against economically, there鈥檚 a very important opening, especially for candidates who are focused on integrity and service,鈥� he said.
Virginia Democrats expected to enter the midterms with a designed to favor their party in 10 of the state鈥檚 11 districts. Voters the redistricting amendment in April, but the Supreme Court of Virginia later , leaving the existing map in place.
Rather than dwell on the setback, Buttigieg said Democrats should focus on nominating strong candidates and keeping voters鈥� attention on the issues driving everyday life.
鈥淲e have to keep a relentless focus on the issues from high cost of living to runaway corruption in Washington 鈥� the issues that are really driving voters,鈥� he said.
Taylor is one of seven candidates seeking to challenge U.S. Rep. Rob Wittman, R-Westmoreland, in the . The others are Elizabeth Dempsey Beggs, Salaam Bhatti, Tim Cywinski, Jason Knapp, Ericka Kopp and Mel Tull.
Taylor鈥檚 six opponents earlier this week for the Democratic Party of Virginia to publicly reaffirm its neutrality after the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee promotional content featuring Taylor during early voting.
鈥淎s a prosecutor, I鈥檝e spent my career holding people accountable, and I鈥檓 ready to prosecute the case against a career politician who has gotten richer in office while voting to raise costs, gut healthcare, and give himself tax breaks,鈥� Taylor said in response to Buttigieg鈥檚 endorsement, referring to Wittman.
In the Hampton-Roads based , Luria faces Dr. Nila Devanath, Bill Fleming and Patrick Mosolf for the Democratic nomination. The winner will challenge U.S. Rep. Jen Kiggans, R-Virginia Beach. Luria represented the district for two terms before losing to Kiggans in 2022.
鈥淎s a fellow Navy veteran, Pete knows the importance of putting others and their needs above your own,鈥� Luria said in an email Wednesday. 鈥淚 look forward to working for Virginia in Congress to bring down prices, expand access to health care, and put the needs of Hampton Roads first.鈥�
Perriello is running against Suzanne Krzyzanowski and Rob Tracinski in the . The Democratic nominee will face either U.S. Rep. John McGuire, R-Goochland, or GOP challenger Melanie Lunero. McGuire is Virginia鈥檚 only Republican incumbent facing a primary challenger this year.
Asked why he backed Perriello, Buttigieg referred to his vote for the Affordable Care Act during his lone term in Congress. Perriello in 2010 after Republicans made abolishing the law a centerpiece of their campaign.
鈥淗e paid a heavy political price for helping to deliver the Affordable Care Act that so many people in Virginia and in America now rely on to afford health insurance,鈥� Buttigieg said. 鈥淎nd so he has really shown, and not just said, that he will act to make life more affordable and easier to get by for Americans.鈥�
Perriello said he was 鈥渇ired up鈥� to have Buttigieg鈥檚 support, citing their work to invest in rural communities and infrastructure. 鈥淲e are not going to stop fighting until costs come down, wages go up, and the corrupt are held accountable,鈥� he said.
Buttigieg argued that President Donald Trump鈥檚 record during his second term has created an opportunity for Democrats, but said the party still has to earn voters鈥� trust.
鈥淭he failures of the Trump administration represent an opening, not an answer,鈥� he said. Voters who believed Trump鈥檚 promises to lower prices and keep the country out of war are 鈥渟eeing that they鈥檝e been lied to, and that creates a chance for us to get a hearing.鈥�
He emphasized Democrats must make a clear case for what they should do differently on issues such as healthcare, affordability and public safety.
Buttigieg also criticized Republican efforts to change election laws, including the pending .
鈥淚鈥檓 very concerned that the White House and congressional Republicans seem to have given up on the idea that they鈥檙e going to win by convincing voters that they鈥檙e doing a good job,鈥� he said. 鈥淎nd so instead they鈥檙e hoping to win by changing the maps and changing the rules.鈥�
The former South Bend, Ind., mayor has spent recent weeks campaigning for Democrats in and , appearances that have fueled speculation about another in 2028.
鈥淩ight now, I鈥檓 very focused on the election that鈥檚 actually happening,鈥� Buttigieg said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 going to remain the focus through Election Day, and then we鈥檒l see what the future brings.鈥�
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