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Virginia is nearing the end of what I see as a season of aggressive gerrymandering. Although I am uneasy about the steps Virginia Democrats took, I believe the party was responding to a national redistricting push encouraged by President Donald Trump.

Asked about creating more Republican-friendly congressional districts, Trump pointed to Texas as the largest opportunity and said the state could add five. Texas was not the first state to manipulate political boundaries, but that effort helped ignite the latest redistricting battle.

Gerrymandering itself dates to the early republic. The term first appeared as “Gerry-mander” in the Boston Gazette on March 26, 1812, after Massachusetts state Senate districts were redrawn under Gov. Elbridge Gerry. One contorted Boston-area district was compared with a salamander, inspiring the name that remains in use today.

As I begin my campaign for the open seat in the newly configured 7th Congressional District, I see an opportunity to move from political maneuvering toward practical solutions. The district brings together urban, suburban, rural and diverse communities whose residents often feel overshadowed by wealthy donors, powerful institutions, dominant media platforms and influential technology leaders.

People across the political spectrum want leaders who can build coalitions and restore a sense of normalcy. That work should begin by confronting dark money in politics, reforming campaign finance rules and ending gerrymandering and other tactics that weaken voters’ influence.

If elected, I will seek a position on the House Administration Committee. Its responsibilities include oversight of federal elections, voting rights and campaign-finance matters. A seat on that committee would provide a direct opportunity to pursue fairer elections.

The country faces many other challenges, particularly for people who have been marginalized or treated unfairly. Lasting solutions will require political leaders to protect both majority rule and minority rights.

That principle is reflected in materials from Annenberg Classroom, an educational resource founded by Leonore Annenberg and housed at the University of Pennsylvania’s Annenberg Public Policy Center. It describes constitutional democracy as a system that combines majority rule with protections for minorities.

Thomas Jefferson made a similar argument in his first inaugural address on March 4, 1801, saying the majority’s will must remain reasonable and that equal law must protect minority rights.

Those safeguards deserve urgent attention. As a member of the House, I would fight gerrymandering, dark money and other forces that diminish the public’s voice. After a season dominated by redistricting battles, it is time for a season focused on solutions.