RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina Republican legislative leaders are moving forward with a proposal to redraw the state’s congressional map, aiming to capture an additional seat for the GOP in the upcoming midterm elections. Scheduled debates and votes are set to take place in the state House, following the state Senate's approval of the plan earlier this week.
The restructured map seeks to dismantle the electoral base of Democratic U.S. Rep. Don Davis, who represents over 20 counties in the northeastern part of the state. Given the Republican majority in both chambers of the General Assembly and the Democratic governor's veto power being ineffective in redistricting cases, the proposed boundaries are likely to be enacted unless thwarted by legal challenges.
Republican leaders have openly stated that the aim of these map changes is to facilitate Donald Trump’s directive to enhance Republican representation in Congress. In the broader political landscape, Democrats are strategizing to regain control of the House by targeting additional seats; historical trends suggest midterm elections often result in losses for the incumbent president's party.
“The purpose of this map was to pick up a Republican seat. We’ve stated that over and over again,” said state Sen. Ralph Hise, one of the architects of the new map.
The controversial reconfiguration is anticipated to increase Republican seats from 10 to 11 out of North Carolina’s 14 congressional districts. Critics argue the plan may infringe on voting rights, particularly affecting Black representation, as Davis's district includes significant African American demographics. They fear the new map could constitute racial gerrymandering, which has been a point of litigation in the past.
Amid rising tensions, Democratic activists have rallied against these redistricting efforts, accusing Republicans of undermining democratic processes and creating barriers to fair representation. They argue that this move caters to Trump’s interests rather than the diverse population of North Carolina.
“If you pass this, your legacy will be shredding the Constitution,” Karen Ziegler from Democracy Out Loud remarked during the legislative discussions. In contrast, GOP leaders maintain that their actions are legitimate and reflect the will of voters who supported Trump in the last three presidential elections.
As the legal landscape continues to evolve, with potential court challenges looming, the outcome of these redistricting measures will undoubtedly shape North Carolina’s political landscape and broader electoral dynamics heading into 2026.
