North Carolina Republican lawmakers announced plans on Monday (October 13) to redraw the state's congressional map, aiming to strengthen the party's narrow majority in the U.S. House ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. House Speaker Destin Hall stated, "President Trump earned a clear mandate from the voters of North Carolina and the rest of the country, and we intend to defend it by drawing an additional Republican Congressional seat."

The proposed redistricting comes as part of a broader national effort by Republicans to secure more seats, following President Donald Trump's call to counter Democrat redistricting efforts. North Carolina's current map, established in 2023, resulted in Republicans winning 10 out of 14 House seats in 2024. The 1st Congressional District, represented by Democrat Don Davis, is considered a key target for the GOP, as it is the state's most competitive seat.

North Carolina Republicans plan to hold a vote during their October session to finalize the new map. The state's Democratic leaders, including Governor Josh Stein, criticized the move, accusing Republicans of prioritizing redistricting over essential state issues like budgeting and education.

The redistricting battle is part of a larger trend across the United States, with states like Texas and Missouri also redrawing maps to favor Republicans. Meanwhile, California and other Democratic-led states are considering their own redistricting strategies to counter these efforts.

The new map is expected to face legal challenges, especially concerning accusations of racial discrimination in districting. However, the U.S. Supreme Court has previously ruled that political gerrymandering does not violate federal law.

Emery Songer