North Carolina Democratic leaders have condemned a plan by the state’s Republican legislative leaders to vote on redrawing the U.S. House district map next week. This initiative is part of a broader national effort as both parties seek to gain an advantage in congressional districting ahead of the 2026 mid-term elections.
Senate leader Phil Berger stated in a news release that this decision aligns with a call from former President Donald Trump urging legislative bodies nationwide to counteract Democratic redistricting efforts. “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,” said House Speaker Destin Hall.
In stark contrast, North Carolina Governor Josh Stein criticized the Republican leadership, asserting that “the General Assembly works for North Carolina, not Donald Trump.” He highlighted the failure of the Republican majority to pass a budget, adequately compensate teachers and law enforcement, and fully fund Medicaid. “These shameless politicians are abusing their power to take away yours,” Stein said. He emphasized the principle that voters should select their representatives rather than the reverse.
The chair of the North Carolina Democratic Party, Anderson Clayton, labelled the GOP’s redistricting efforts as “corruption.” In her statement, she remarked, “The GOP leaders announced they will be tearing up our already brutally gerrymandered congressional maps and redrawing them to give more seats to Congressional Republicans.” Clayton insisted that voters should hold the power, not the maps drawn by politicians. “When politicians pick their voters instead of voters picking their politicians, that’s not democracy. That’s corruption.”
The minority leader of the North Carolina Senate, Sydney Batch, also reacted strongly to the announcement. She noted that Republicans have failed to pass a state budget for over 100 days, while simultaneously returning to Raleigh to redraw congressional lines. “That tells you everything you need to know about their priorities and who they serve,” Batch asserted.
Democratic Representative Phil Rubin, who represents North Carolina’s 40th district, expressed his concerns about the implications of the GOP’s actions. “Republicans are terrified of a system where voters matter,” he stated, adding that the party seeks to avoid accountability for decisions that have left North Carolina at the bottom of healthcare affordability. “Rigging district maps to avoid accountability is political corruption,” Rubin concluded.
As the debate over redistricting intensifies, the focus remains on the implications for voters and the integrity of the electoral process in North Carolina. The upcoming vote will be closely watched by both parties as they prepare for the upcoming electoral battles.
