MEDIA ADVISORY
NEWS PROVIDED BY
Christian Defense Coalition
April 8, 2026
ALEXANDRIA, Va., April 8, 2026 /Standard Newswire/ — Virginia’s leading Hispanic and faith voices will hold a press conference on Thursday, April 9th at 10:00 am, urging Virginians to reject a proposed redistricting amendment, which would disenfranchise voters and create an illegitimate power grab by Socialists elites, and eliminate fairness in the Virginia elections.
Speakers will outline how the redistricting will result in the most gerrymandered congressional map. The Democrats’ amendment would forcefully overturn the bipartisan redistricting commission approved by 65.7% of Virginia voters in 2020 and concentrate power in the hands of a few partisan politicians while eliminating fair representation for minority, rural, independent, and conservative voters, overriding the will of the people at the ballot box. They will also highlight how the proposed maps could significantly alter congressional representation, potentially shifting Virginia’s current delegation from a near-even split to a heavily one-sided outcome.
“This isn’t about fairness, it’s a blatant power grab by Democrats who are weakening the Democratic process by pouring millions of dollars from out of state to influence the election,” said Mercedes Schlapp, CPAC Senior Fellow. “Rebranding partisan gerrymandering as ‘restoring fairness’ misleads voters by taking away their rights and undermines the will of Virginians who demanded a transparent, nonpartisan process.”
The speakers will also address concerns about the millions of dollars of dark money by out-of-state Democrats that are influencing the referendum and misleading the people of Virginia. They will also expose the Democrats’ mission to STOP TRUMP at all costs. The event comes as early voting is already underway, with turnout reportedly exceeding previous election cycles. Organizers are calling on voters to engage immediately and reject the amendment at the ballot box.
WHEN: Thursday, April 9th, 2026, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM EST
WHERE: CPAC Headquarters 515 King St. Suite #300 Alexandria, VA 22314
MEDIA TIMELINE:
9:00 AM ET: Office Opens to Media
10:00 AM ET: Event Begins
11:30 AM ET: Event Concludes
PARTICIPANTS:
The Honorable Matt Schlapp, Chairman, CPAC
The Honorable Mercedes Viana Schlapp, Senior Fellow, CPAC
Pastor Jonathan Avendano, Associate Pastor at Iglesia Maná del Cielo
Jo-Ann Chase, Chairwoman of the Republican Hispanic Assembly of Virginia
Astrid Gamez, Founder and Executive Director of Family Services Network, and Former Chair of the VA Latino Advisory Board
Katie Gorka, Fairfax County GOP Chair
Hannah Lape, Legislative Strategist, Concerned Women of America
Reverend Patrick Mahoney, Director of the Christian Defense Coalition
Joshua Raimundo, Representative from Youth Church
Yesli Vega, Former Congressional candidate and Hispanic leader
SOURCE Christian Defense Coalition
CONTACT: ccruze@conservative.org