The plantiffs argued that the map violated the Constitution by concentrating Black voters disproportionately within the district, a practice known as racial gerrymandering.

On October 7, 2014, a three-judge panel in the United States District Court ruled that the map was unconstitutional and violated the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th amendment.

Despite this ruling, the court allowed the existing map to be used for the 2014 House Elections and ordered the Virginia General Assembly to redraw the districts by April 1, 2015.

Consequently, the District Court appointed a special master to create a new redistricting plan, which was approved on January 7, 2016.

The Republican House members subsequently petitioned the Supreme Court to pause the implementation of the new map, arguing that the original appeal regarding jurisdiction had not yet been resolved.

The Supreme Court denied the request, allowing for the revised map to be used for the 2016 House primaries and general election.

On March 21, 2016, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments on the appeal but ultimately dismissed it, ruling that the Republican House members lacked standing under Article III of the Constitution.

Only three of the ten plantiffs appeared before the Supreme Court, with Representative Randy Forbes arguing that the new map would alter the Fourth District from a Republican-leaning to a Democratic-leaning constituency, potentially jeopardizing his reelection.

[3] Bowling Green Town Councilman Matt Rowe was the only candidate to file before the deadline and was thus automatically nominated.

Representatives State legislators Organizations Local officials Individuals State legislators Local officials Scott Rigell's retirement was expected to make the race competitive, with the Rothenberg & Gonzales Political Report immediately changing the rating from Safe to Lean Republican.

[18] However, due to the perceived strength of Congressman Forbes's entry into the race, Shaun Brown, a community activist in Hampton, VA who had originally planned to primary US Representative Bobby Scott (D) for the 3rd district,[19] ended up being the only candidate to file for the primary, making her automatically the nominee.

The district was considered a Safe Gain for the Democrats by many political analysts, including Larry Sabato's Crystal Ball.

The Republican party selected State Senator Tom Garrett as its nominee at a convention on May 14, with a filing deadline of March 31.

[54] In 2014, Democratic candidate Bruce Elder, a Staunton City Councilman, had to end his campaign after being diagnosed with cancer.

[60] Two candidates sought the Republican nomination: Charles Hernick, an environmental consultant, and Mike Webb, a retired Army officer.

Due to the competitiveness of the district and the ability of both candidates to raise large amounts of money, the race was expected to be one of the most heavily contested in the country.

However, he suffered a severe strep throat infection shortly afterward which required a tonsillectomy and was forced to withdraw his candidacy.