North Carolina Legislature Passes Trump-Backed Map Adding GOP House Seat

Republican lawmakers in North Carolina and Missouri have recently approved new congressional maps designed to increase GOP representation ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, aligning with President Donald Trump's push for favorable electoral outcomes. In North Carolina, the legislature passed a map intended to secure an additional Republican House seat by redrawing districts, including one held by Democratic Rep. Don Davis, which critics say undercuts the influence of Black voters and undermines democratic representation. Democrats strongly opposed the North Carolina map, warning it sets a precedent for partisan dominance and threatens democratic principles. Similarly, Missouri's GOP-backed congressional map, signed into law by Governor Mike Kehoe, has faced legal challenges from the NAACP and ACLU, who argue it may be constitutionally and racially biased, while Republicans defend the map's legitimacy and anticipate judicial approval. Both states exemplify a broader national trend of aggressive redistricting efforts by Republican lawmakers to maintain or expand their congressional majorities in response to anticipated midterm election challenges. These developments highlight ongoing partisan battles over electoral maps and the impact of recent court rulings that have eased restrictions on partisan gerrymandering.