North Carolina’s Republican-controlled legislature has approved a new congressional map expected to strengthen the GOP’s hold on the U.S. House, making the state the latest battleground in a broader national redistricting effort aimed at securing Republican advantages ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
The state House passed the measure Wednesday by a 66–48 vote, one day after the Senate’s approval, finalizing a plan that could give Republicans an additional congressional seat. Under the new map, the 1st Congressional District—held by Democrat Don Davis and one of the few competitive seats in the state—would become more favorable to Republicans by incorporating portions of GOP Rep. Greg Murphy’s neighboring 3rd District. Davis criticized the move, saying, “This new congressional map is beyond the pale,” and pointed out that “in the 2024 election with record voter turnout, NC’s First Congressional District elected both President Trump and me.”
Republicans currently control 10 of North Carolina’s 14 House seats, and GOP leaders say the new lines could help them secure 11. Senate leader Phil Berger claimed the new map “respects the will of the North Carolina voters who sent President Trump to the White House three times.” In addition, State Sen. Ralph Hise, who helped draft the proposal, said during a committee hearing, “The motivation behind this redraw is simple and singular: drawing new map that will bring an additional Republican seat to the North Carolina Congressional delegation.”
The move in North Carolina mirrors a broader GOP-led strategy seen across the country. Earlier this year, Texas Republicans pushed through a new map designed to flip up to five Democratic seats, while Missouri lawmakers redrew boundaries to make Democratic Rep. Emanuel Cleaver’s Kansas City-area district more conservative. Similar redistricting efforts are being considered in Kansas, Indiana, and Ohio—where new lines are mandated after a previous map passed without bipartisan support.
The redistricting effort has provoked sharp backlash from Democrats and voting rights advocates, who accuse the GOP of deliberately diluting the influence of minority communities. Democratic Gov. Josh Stein, whose veto power does not extend to redistricting measures, said in a video statement: “If I did have that power, I assure you I would veto this map. Republican legislative leaders are abusing their power to take away yours. They’re afraid they will lose in the midterms and afraid to say no to the President, so they’ve turned their backs on you to silence your vote in the 2026 election.” Rep. Suzan DelBene, chair of the House Democratic campaign arm, addedd the map “was clearly drawn to dilute the voting power of Black voters by dismantling the Black Belt to stop North Carolinians from holding Trump and House Republicans accountable for ignoring the needs of hardworking Americans.”
Despite the protests, the map is now set to take effect for the 2026 elections, when Republicans hope to maintain their narrow House majority.
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