Wesley G. Russell Jr.
Virginia's Solicitor General, defending the redistricting referendum in Scott v. McDougle.
Last refreshed: 28 April 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic
Who is arguing Virginia's case for the redistricting referendum in court?
Timeline for Wesley G. Russell Jr.
Led questioning at oral argument on constitutional requirements for special-session scope, public notice, and election timing
US Midterms 2026: Virginia high court hears, sets no clock- Who is Wesley G. Russell Jr.?
- Wesley G. Russell Jr. is Virginia's Solicitor General, the state's chief appellate lawyer. He argued Virginia's position before the Virginia Supreme Court in the Scott v. McDougle redistricting case on 27 April 2026.Source: Virginia Supreme Court hearing, 27 April 2026
- What does Virginia's Solicitor General do?
- The Virginia Solicitor General serves as the state's chief appellate attorney, representing Virginia's interests before the state Supreme Court and in federal proceedings, under the direction of the Attorney General.
Background
Wesley G. Russell Jr. is Virginia's Solicitor General, the state's chief appellate lawyer and the official who argued the state's position before the Virginia Supreme Court in Scott v. McDougle on 27 April 2026. The Solicitor General's office defends Virginia's laws and interests in the state's highest court and in federal proceedings, making Russell the lead lawyer on one of the most consequential redistricting cases of the 2026 cycle.
The case centres on whether the mid-decade redistricting referendum approved by voters on 21 April 2026 was valid, after a federal judge voided the authorising legislation the day after the vote. Russell's office is operating under the direction of Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones, who has taken an active role in the redistricting litigation.
With the Virginia Supreme Court declining to set a ruling timeline after the 27 April arguments, Russell's office faces the prospect of further federal and state court proceedings before the 25 May candidate filing deadline forces a practical resolution.