NC GOP Targets Black Congressman’s Swing Seat

North Carolina’s political landscape is heating up as Republican lawmakers have unveiled a proposed new congressional map. This redrawing of district boundaries is seen by many as a strategic move to bolster GOP control of Congress, potentially making it significantly harder for Democratic Rep. Don Davis to win reelection in the state’s only swing district.

A Bid to Secure GOP Control Ahead of Midterms

The proposed map, unveiled by state House and Senate GOP leaders, comes in response to President Donald Trump’s call to secure more Republican seats ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. With Democrats needing just three seats to potentially regain control of the House, and given the historical trend of the president’s party losing seats in midterms, Republicans are actively seeking electoral advantages nationwide.

This isn’t the first redistricting effort in North Carolina. Republicans previously approved a map in 2023 that led to GOP candidates winning 10 out of the state’s 14 U.S. House seats in 2024, a shift from the 7-7 split under the 2022 map.

Targeting the 1st District and Rep. Don Davis

Based on past election results, the newly proposed boundaries appear to specifically target the 1st District, currently held by Democratic Rep. Don Davis. Davis, who is one of North Carolina’s three Black members of Congress, won his second term in 2024 by a narrow margin of less than 2 percentage points. The current 1st District includes several majority-Black counties.

The retooled boundaries would incorporate more coastal counties while removing some inland areas, including Greene County, Davis’s home county. This adjustment aims to create a slightly more right-leaning 1st District. While other districts to the west would remain largely unchanged, the shift could potentially give Republicans a stronger chance to win 11 out of North Carolina’s 14 seats.

Accusations of Partisan Gerrymandering

While Republican leaders like Senate leader Phil Berger have stated the General Assembly is ‘ready to help Republicans secure Congress and move @realDonaldTrump’s agenda forward!’, Democrats have strongly criticized the move. State Democratic representatives accuse the GOP of attempting to ‘steal’ a seat won by Davis, raising concerns about unlawful racial bias in the redistricting process.

Instead, we’re coming back to talk about redistricting because Republicans believe if they can’t win fair, they’re going to change things and cheat and win that away. — State Democratic Rep. Sarah Crawford

Adding to the controversy, North Carolina’s state constitution prevents Democratic Gov. Josh Stein from vetoing redistricting plans, leaving the GOP majorities in the state House and Senate with significant power. This action is taking place while the state budget remains unpassed and Medicaid spending increases are undecided.

• North Carolina Republicans have proposed a new congressional map.
• The map targets the state’s only swing district, currently held by Rep. Don Davis.
• The move aims to increase GOP representation in Congress ahead of the 2026 midterms.
• Democrats accuse Republicans of partisan gerrymandering and trying to ‘steal’ a seat.
• Rep. Davis, one of North Carolina’s Black congressmen, faces a tougher reelection bid.
• The state constitution limits the governor’s ability to veto redistricting plans.

Rep. Don Davis, an Air Force veteran with deep roots in Eastern North Carolina, acknowledged the concerns of his constituents, stating, ‘Eastern North Carolina families are struggling and feel that Washington, D.C., is broken.’ He emphasized his commitment to considering every option, drawing on his experience and local connections as the redistricting process unfolds.