A nationwide redistricting battle is underway, fueled largely by President Donald Trump, as Republican-led legislatures across several states face mounting pressure from the former president and his allies to create more GOP-friendly congressional districts and strengthen the party’s hold on the U.S. House.
In North Carolina, Republican lawmakers have advanced a new congressional map, joining states such as Texas and Missouri in pursuing aggressive redistricting efforts ahead of next year’s midterm elections. The proposed plan targets the district currently represented by Democratic Rep. Don Davis and would likely give Republicans an edge in 11 of the state’s 14 House seats, up from the current 10.
If enacted, North Carolina’s new map would bring the total number of newly drawn, Republican-leaning districts nationwide this year to seven.
Meanwhile, in California, Gov. Gavin Newsom—a likely 2028 Democratic presidential contender—is pushing for a redistricting initiative aimed at countering GOP-led efforts elsewhere. A ballot measure set for a November vote will determine whether the state assembly can temporarily suspend California’s independent redistricting commission to add five Democrat-leaning districts.
CNN reported that North Carolina has become the latest Republican-controlled state to undertake a mid-decade redistricting—a practice that has historically been rare.
State Sen. Ralph Hise, a Republican overseeing the process, underscored the significance of the move in blunt terms.
“The purpose of this redraw is straightforward: to craft a map that will add one more Republican seat to our congressional delegation,” Hise said.
He added that if Democrats regain control of the House, they would “derail President Trump’s agenda,” according to CNN.
Lawmakers held their first public meeting on the new congressional map Monday morning and passed the proposal in the state Senate the following day, despite strong objections from Democrats and protests at the Capitol in Raleigh.
The measure now moves to the state House for consideration.
Under North Carolina law, Democratic Gov. Josh Stein does not have the power to veto redistricting plans, CNN noted.
Though North Carolina remains a political battleground—with Democrats like Stein and former Gov. Roy Cooper winning statewide races—Republican leaders defended the partisan tilt of the new map, arguing it mirrors Trump’s repeated electoral successes in the state.
“This map honors the will of North Carolina voters who sent President Trump to the White House three times,” said state Senate leader Phil Berger in a statement to CNN.
Earlier this year, Republicans in Texas launched a redistricting effort designed to create five new GOP-leaning districts. In Missouri, lawmakers approved new boundaries that would likely add one more Republican seat to the delegation.
Both states are now facing ongoing legal challenges, and in Missouri, activists have begun a petition drive to overturn the plan.
Republicans currently hold a structural advantage in redistricting, controlling the governorship and both legislative chambers in 23 states, compared with just 15 under full Democratic control.
Several other Republican-led states are also weighing new congressional maps. In Kansas, lawmakers have allocated $460,000 to fund a potential special session to redraw district lines that could impact the state’s only Democratic member of Congress, Rep. Sharice Davids.
Calling such a session would require approval from two-thirds of both legislative chambers.
In Indiana, where Republicans hold a 7–2 edge in the U.S. House delegation, the White House has reportedly encouraged GOP legislators to target an additional Democratic-held seat. Vice President J.D. Vance has visited the state twice to discuss the plan with lawmakers.
Meanwhile, redistricting battles continue in Ohio and Utah—both under Republican control—from disputes that began before Trump’s return to office.
