RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Republican legislative leaders in North Carolina have announced a plan to vote next week on redrawing the state's U.S. House district map. This move is aligned with President Donald Trump's appeal for Republican-led states to bolster their congressional representation.
The redistricting initiative comes as part of an emerging national strategy where both major parties aim to gain advantage in the allocation of House districts before the 2026 midterm elections. In 2023, North Carolina Republicans designed a district map that resulted in GOP candidates securing 10 out of the state’s 14 U.S. House seats, a significant increase from the equal 7-7 split observed under the previous 2022 map.
Currently, only the 1st District, represented by Democrat Don Davis, is widely viewed as a competitive swing district. The GOP is considering alterations that could favor their candidates in an environment that might lean heavily toward Republicans.
According to a release from the North Carolina GOP, the new mapping is a response to Trump's call for state legislatures nationwide to counteract Democrat-led districting efforts. Democratic leaders, however, have condemned the initiative as a tactic to avoid electoral accountability.
Amid discussions of congressional shifts, Trump is attempting to maintain support for his agenda, especially during a critical election cycle where Democrats only need to gain a handful of seats to control the House.
The initiative in North Carolina is part of a broader national trend where states like Texas, California, and Missouri are contemplating similar redistricting efforts, raising questions about fairness and the impact on minority voters. Legal challenges are also anticipated in response to these maneuvers that critics argue may dilute the voting power of marginalized communities.
