RALEIGH, N.C. (RTW News) — On Tuesday, Democrats in North Carolina hosted a rally against a new congressional map proposed by state Republicans. This initiative, allegedly influenced by former President Donald Trump, is aimed at consolidating GOP power by attempting to secure additional seats in the U.S. House.
The revised congressional map is designed to undermine the reelection prospects of Democratic Representative Don Davis, one of the state's three Black representatives, by redrawing two districts. Current election forecasts suggest that this tactic could increase Republican representation from 10 to 11 congressional seats out of 14.
Republican leaders argue that the redistricting plan fulfills Trump's call for mid-decade alterations in district lines, intended to bolster their strength leading into the critical 2026 midterm elections. While Democrats are on the cusp of seizing control of the House with the need for just three additional seats, they feel the urgency of this situation acutely, as the president’s party often loses seats in midterm elections.
With Republicans holding the majority in both chambers of the General Assembly and the state's laws limiting the veto power of Democratic Governor Josh Stein, the path to enactment for this GOP-driven map looks promising. The state Senate has already given the proposal final approval along party lines, with the House set to vote soon.
About 300 protesters, consisting of Democratic officials and supporters, gathered outside the old state Capitol, pledging their commitment to fighting back against what they describe as an unjust manipulation of district lines. Leaders like North Carolina Democratic Party Chair Anderson Clayton directed passionate comments toward the crowd, reiterating that this redistricting effort could backfire on Republicans at the ballot box in 2026 and beyond.
Litigation challenging potentially unlawful racial gerrymandering is anticipated as a next step. Republicans claim their actions are justified since Trump has won North Carolina's electoral votes in past elections, albeit with narrow margins, thereby supporting their case for additional representation.
This issue of redistricting has emerged as part of a broader national debate, initiated by Trump's urging Republican states to reconsider their congressional maps. In response, Democratic-led California is considering its own similar changes, pending approval from voters.
State GOP leaders maintain that they are merely reacting to an established trend where Democratic-leaning states have drawn favorable maps for themselves previously, emphasizing the importance of keeping control in the face of such tactics.
