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The North Carolina Senate approved a new congressional map on Tuesday (October 21), aiming to secure an additional Republican seat in the U.S. House. The map targets the district currently held by Democratic Representative Don Davis, one of three Black members of Congress from the state. This redistricting effort is part of a broader strategy by Republicans, encouraged by President Donald Trump, to maintain their majority in the House after the 2026 midterm elections.
The new map, which passed the Senate with a 26-20 vote along party lines, would give Republicans an advantage in 11 out of 14 House seats from North Carolina, up from the current 10. Republican Senator Ralph Hise, who is overseeing the map-drawing process, stated, "The motivation behind this redraw is simple and singular: draw a new map that will bring an additional Republican seat to the congressional delegation." He emphasized the high stakes, noting that if Democrats take control of the House, they could "torpedo President Trump’s agenda."
Democrats have criticized the map as a power grab, with state Senator Val Applewhite accusing Republicans of participating in a "coordinated national effort" to reshape the political landscape in Trump's favor. North Carolina Governor Josh Stein, a Democrat, called the plan a "cynical power grab" and expressed concerns about its impact on voters' ability to choose their representatives.
The new map is expected to face legal challenges, as similar redistricting efforts in other states have. However, Hise expressed confidence that the map would withstand court scrutiny. The House is set to take up the plan next, with Republicans holding majorities in both the state House and Senate.