A nationwide redistricting battle is intensifying, fueled largely by former President Donald Trump, as Republican-led legislatures in several states work to create additional GOP-leaning congressional districts and strengthen the party’s House majority. In North Carolina, Republican lawmakers advanced a new congressional map that would give Republicans a likely advantage in 11 of the state’s 14 House seats, up from 10, targeting Democratic Rep. Don Davis’s district. Once enacted, the map would mark the seventh newly drawn, Republican-favored district nationwide this year, joining efforts in Texas and Missouri. Lawmakers held a public meeting on the map Monday and quickly approved it in the state Senate, with the proposal now moving to the state House for consideration. Democratic Gov. Josh Stein cannot veto redistricting plans under state law.
The redistricting effort has sparked strong opposition from Democrats and protesters, with critics warning that the maps undermine fair representation. Meanwhile, in California, Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom is pushing a countermeasure through a November ballot initiative that could temporarily sideline the independent redistricting commission and add five Democrat-leaning districts. Across other states, Republicans are pursuing similar strategies: Texas aims to create five more GOP-leaning districts, Missouri is adding one, and Kansas has allocated funds for a potential special session to redraw boundaries affecting Democratic Rep. Sharice Davids. Indiana, Ohio, and Utah are also engaged in ongoing disputes, with Trump allies and state leaders seeking to shift additional seats toward Republicans.
Republican lawmakers defend the moves as reflecting voter support, citing Trump’s past electoral successes. North Carolina Sen. Ralph Hise described the effort bluntly as an attempt to secure an extra Republican seat and safeguard Trump’s agenda, while Senate leader Phil Berger argued the map respects voter intent. With Republicans controlling both legislative chambers and governorships in 23 states—compared to 15 under Democrats—they currently hold a structural advantage in redistricting. Critics, however, warn that these mid-decade efforts could further entrench partisanship and reshape the House map in ways that favor Republicans in next year’s midterm elections.
