North Carolina’s Congressional Map Under Review
The North Carolina General Assembly is set to review a new congressional map next week, as indicated by Republican leaders on Monday.
Former President Trump has urged Republican-led state legislatures nationwide to reevaluate their maps in preparation for the 2026 midterm elections.
State House Speaker Destin Hall (R) expressed, “We back the president, aim to maintain the Republican majority, and secure more Republican seats,” in a statement on social media platform X.
Senate Majority Leader Phil Berger (R-N.C.) noted in a press release that the state’s Republicans are committed to upholding Trump’s policies and ensuring Republican dominance in Congress.
He mentioned that the General Assembly is anticipated to vote on the redrawing of congressional maps during its October session.
This initiative faced immediate backlash from North Carolina Democrats, notably from Governor Josh Stein. In a press release, he criticized the General Assembly for “prioritizing map manipulation over essential issues like budget planning and funding for teachers and law enforcement.”
“These politicians are misusing their power and trying to undermine your voice. I will always advocate for you, because voters should have the right to choose their representatives,” Stein emphasized.
North Carolina House Democratic Leader Robert Reives also condemned the actions, saying Republicans “returned to Raleigh to disenfranchise voters” and accused them of manipulating district boundaries to evade electoral accountability.
Additionally, Anderson Clayton, chair of the state Democratic Party, referred to Hall and Berger as “bootlickers” on social media.
Other Republican-led states, such as Texas and Missouri, have previously redrafted their maps to benefit their party ahead of the midterm elections.
In contrast, states like California are considering shifting redistricting control from an independent commission back to the state Legislature, as endorsed by Governor Gavin Newsom. Other Democratic-majority states, including New York and Maryland, are exploring similar options.
Currently, North Carolina’s House representation is comprised of 10 Republicans and four Democrats. The Cook Political Report indicates that only the state’s 1st Congressional District, held by Democratic Rep. Don Davis, is competitive, with votes falling within 5 percent of the national average—potentially a pickup opportunity for Republicans.
In recent presidential elections, North Carolina’s results have fluctuated within a tight margin, with no Democratic candidate winning since Barack Obama in 2008. Before that, the state hadn’t voted for a Democrat since Jimmy Carter in 1976.
