North Carolina Approved Trump-Backed House Map/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ North Carolina’s GOP-controlled legislature passed a new U.S. House map designed to gain a congressional seat ahead of 2026. The Trump-backed redistricting targets Democratic Rep. Don Davis’ swing district and could boost Republican control to 11 of 14 seats. Legal challenges are expected over alleged racial gerrymandering and diluted Black voting power.
North Carolina Redistricting + Quick Looks
- New GOP map approved, aims to gain one more House seat.
- Democratic Rep. Don Davis’ district heavily redrawn to favor Republicans.
- Gov. Josh Stein cannot veto redistricting bills under state law.
- Trump and GOP push for more red state maps ahead of 2026.
- Critics call the map a modern form of racial gerrymandering.
- Hundreds of activists protested at the state legislature this week.
- Eric Holder and national Democrats vow to challenge the map in court.
- GOP leaders argue changes are political, not racial — which courts allow.
- The redrawn district has elected Black lawmakers since 1992.
- Candidate filing for 2026 elections opens December 1.
Deep Look: Trump-Backed Map Passed in North Carolina to Expand GOP’s Hold on Congress
RALEIGH, N.C. – October 22, 2025 — In a sweeping political move ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, North Carolina’s Republican-controlled legislature has finalized a new U.S. House district map that could secure an additional seat for the GOP and strengthen Donald Trump’s influence on Congress.
The new map was passed by the state House on Wednesday, following a similar party-line vote in the state Senate the day before. With no veto power granted to Democratic Governor Josh Stein, the GOP-penned districts are set to go into effect — unless legal challenges from Democrats or voting rights advocates succeed in court.
Aiming for 11 GOP Seats
The redistricting plan directly targets Rep. Don Davis (D-N.C.), the incumbent in a northeastern swing district. Davis, an African American moderate Democrat, won reelection by less than 2 points, even as former President Trump carried the same district in 2024.
By replacing key counties in Davis’ 1st District with more conservative areas from the coast, Republicans expect to flip the seat, increasing their hold from 10 to 11 of North Carolina’s 14 seats. The move is part of a larger Trump-backed strategy to reshape congressional maps in GOP-run states before 2026.
“The new congressional map improves Republican political strength in eastern North Carolina,” said Rep. Brenden Jones (R), defending the plan as fulfilling the will of the people.
Allegations of Voter Suppression
Democrats and voting rights advocates were swift to condemn the changes, particularly the impact on Black voters in majority-Black counties that have elected African American leaders for decades.
“North Carolina is a testing ground for the new era of Jim Crow laws,” warned Rep. Gloristine Brown (D), calling the map a deliberate effort to silence Black voices.
Former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, now leading national Democratic redistricting efforts, called the map:
“Morally reprehensible and legally indefensible — and it will be challenged in court.”
Opponents argue the plan violates federal protections against racial gerrymandering, especially in a district with a legacy of continuous Black representation since 1992.
Political vs. Racial: A Legal Grey Zone
Republicans counter that the redistricting decisions were based on political strategy, not race — a distinction that courts have recently upheld as legally valid.
“We will not let outsiders tell us how to govern,” said Jones, referencing California and other blue states where Democrats have also redrawn maps.
He criticized California Gov. Gavin Newsom, suggesting he had escalated the redistricting battle on the national stage.
Trump’s Influence on North Carolina
This redistricting effort aligns closely with Trump’s national strategy to fortify GOP control of Congress. Trump won North Carolina all three times he ran for president, most recently by 51% in 2024. His political allies, including State Senate leader Phil Berger, defend the redistricting as a reflection of voter sentiment.
“It’s appropriate under the law and in conjunction with listening to the will of the people,” Berger stated.
Protest, Disruption, and Political Fallout
Activists and progressive groups flooded the state capitol this week to protest the new maps. On Wednesday, dozens were removed by General Assembly police after disrupting the debate in the House gallery.
Gov. Josh Stein, though powerless to veto the redistricting, called the plan “disgraceful” in a public video and pledged support for future legal challenges.
House Minority Leader Robert Reives (D) cautioned his GOP colleagues that loyalty to Trump’s agenda might backfire in the long run.
“Mark this day. One day they’re coming to you, and they’re going to ask you to do something you just can’t do,” Reives said. “And because only one person in the party matters, you’re going home.”
What’s Next?
The redistricting map is set to take effect unless a court intervenes. Candidate filing for the 2026 midterms opens December 1, with Democrats bracing for tough fights in newly redrawn districts. Davis has said he still plans to run, whether in his current district or the adjacent GOP-held 3rd District.
Legal battles are imminent as North Carolina becomes a key battleground in the national redistricting war.
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