North Carolina Republicans have approved a new congressional map that appears designed to eliminate one Democratic representative from the state’s House delegation. This latest redistricting effort follows a series of similar moves across the country, as both major parties seek to influence the upcoming midterm elections. The North Carolina state senate approved the map on October 31, 2023, with the state house quickly following suit the next day, resulting in unanimous support from Republican lawmakers.
The motivation behind this redistricting initiative stems from a broader strategy initiated by former President Donald Trump, aimed at maintaining Republican control in the House of Representatives. With only a three-seat majority, Republicans are concerned that losing a few seats could jeopardize their legislative agenda. This redistricting effort is part of a trend that began earlier this year when Texas reconfigured its congressional districts, potentially netting the GOP five additional seats.
The lead sponsor of the new congressional map, state senator Ralph Hise, explicitly stated during a committee hearing that this move is a response to Trump’s call for Republican states to “fight fire with fire.” Hise emphasized that the stakes are high, noting that if Democrats flip just four seats in the upcoming elections, they could take control of the House. “This map answers that call,” Hise asserted.
In the new configuration, Congressman Don Davis—whose current district is now restructured to favor Republican voters—has expressed his intention to run for re-election in 2026, regardless of the redistricting outcome. In a recent statement, Davis remarked that his constituents have not requested changes to the congressional map. “Since the start of this new term, my office has received 46,616 messages from constituents of different political parties, including those unaffiliated,” Davis stated. “Not a single one of them included a request for a new congressional map redrawing eastern North Carolina.”
North Carolina Democrats have vocally opposed the map, arguing that it disenfranchises voters. Protests erupted at the state house as they demanded that Republicans reconsider the changes to Davis’s district. Should the map withstand potential legal challenges, Republicans would likely gain a significant advantage, holding strong majorities in 11 of the state’s 14 districts while the remaining three would remain solidly Democratic.
The potential for legal repercussions looms large, with top Democrats predicting that the state legislature could soon face lawsuits over the redistricting decisions. Robert Reives, the Democratic leader in the state house, expressed concern, stating, “I’d be shocked if there was not legal action.”
As this redistricting battle unfolds, it underscores the increasing polarization and strategic maneuvering by both parties as they prepare for a pivotal election year.
