North Carolina lawmakers advance new maps that would give GOP three pickup seats in House

The North Carolina Senate has advanced a proposal for a new congressional map. This would redistrict the boundaries to allow Republicans to gain at least three House seats by 2024.

The Senate Redistricting and Elections Committee voted on a map that changes all 14 districts in the state. It creates 10 districts that are more Republican, 3 that are more Democratic, and 1 that is a toss up. The map, if adopted, would give Republicans an advantage in the state. Currently, Democrats and Republicans are split 50-50.

Tuesday the full Senate will vote to advance the proposal, which then goes to the House to be passed as early as Wednesday.

The nonpartisan Cook Political Report says that if the map is approved, it would be a grave threat to incumbent Democrats. This includes Reps. Kathy Manning, Wiley Nickel, and Jeff Jackson, who represent the 6th Congressional District; Wiley Nickel, in the 13th District; and Jeff Jackson, in the 14th District. All three races are now “likely Republican” instead of “toss ups,” the report states. Rep. Don Davis, in the 1st Congressional District, is also vulnerable. His district was changed from “leaning Democratic”, to “toss up”.

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Jackson, speaking to the Washington Examiner in the past week, said: “I believe the maps are a clear sign of political corruption.” I think more people would be disappointed if they followed it closely in the state.

Jackson stated that he “would be surprised” if there was not some kind of litigation over the maps, stating that the current proposals were “not final.” He would make a final decision once he knew “what the final map looked like.”

If either map is approved, it would give Republicans an advantage going into the 2024 cycle. This is especially true as they try to maintain their slim majority at the House.

In 2024, all 435 seats will be up for grabs as Republicans try to maintain their slim majority in lower chamber. The GOP has a slight edge in preparing for the next cycle of elections as 42 seats are competitive.

Of the 42 seats that are competitive, 18 of them are held by Republicans who live in districts which voted for Joe Biden as President in 2020. Only five Democrats must defend their seats if they reside in districts where former President Donald Trump was elected. There are only enough GOP-held seats that are vulnerable to make the next election competitive.