North Carolina Republican lawmakers unveiled a plan on Monday to redraw the state’s congressional map, aiming to secure an additional House seat for the GOP in the 2026 midterms. The proposal follows claims that President Donald Trump won a decisive mandate from voters, which legislators argue must be protected through redistricting.
North Carolina House Speaker Destin Hall (R-Caldwell) stated in a released statement, “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 plan comes as Gov. Josh Stein, a Democrat, faces limited ability to block the measure.
The redistricting process requires only a simple majority in both chambers of the General Assembly, which Republicans control. Judicial intervention is also unlikely, as courts have previously ruled that partisan gerrymandering falls outside their jurisdiction. Hall referenced California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s efforts to alter maps in his state, citing it as a response to redistricting actions tied to Trump’s influence in Texas and Missouri.
“We will not allow them to undermine the will of the voters and President Trump’s agenda,” Hall said. Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger (R-Rockingham) emphasized that safeguarding Republican control of Congress is critical, though he acknowledged criticism of the GOP’s handling of state priorities like budgets and healthcare funding.
Under the 2023 map, Republicans secured 10 of North Carolina’s 14 House seats in 2024, compared to a 7-7 split under the previous configuration. Only the 1st District, represented by Democratic Rep. Don Davis, remains a competitive seat. Analysts suggest shifting boundaries in northeastern counties could tilt the district toward Republicans in a strong GOP year, though risks exist of diluting other Republican-held areas.
The plan aligns with Trump’s broader call for legislatures to counter “Democrat redistricting efforts,” according to state leaders. Davis was not mentioned in official statements accompanying the proposal.