Federal judges approved the new maps last week, allowing them to take effect for the 2026 election.
SNOW HILL, N.C. — U.S. Rep. Don Davis announced he will run for reelection despite state lawmakers redrawing his district to lean more Republican, setting up what could be one of the most competitive congressional races in 2026.
Federal judges approved the new maps last week, allowing them to take effect for the 2026 election. The redistricting shifts counties between the state’s first and third districts, moving District 1 significantly to the right and potentially drawing Davis out of his seat.
“We’re super excited. There’s so much momentum on the ground, and we’re going to make this a people-centered campaign conversation,” Davis said in an interview with WCNC Charlotte. “That’s why I’m in this race to win.”
Davis currently represents District 1, North Carolina’s most competitive congressional district. The seat has been held by Democrats for decades, including by former Congressman G.K. Butterfield, who represented the district from 2004 to 2022.
“We still need to hit reset,” Davis said. “It doesn’t matter if Democrats have done it, Republicans have done it. This redistricting battle that’s taking place across the nation is wrong.”
Butterfield echoed concerns about the redistricting process.
“Each side is standing in their corner, and we cannot have a government that is so divided,” Butterfield said.
The new maps are part of a pattern that has significantly shifted North Carolina’s congressional representation. State Republicans redrew districts in 2022, when the state was represented by an even split of seven Democrats and seven Republicans. Currently, the delegation consists of 10 Republicans and four Democrats. The latest changes will likely add one more Republican seat.
Addul Ali, chairman of the 12th District GOP in Mecklenburg County, acknowledged redistricting as “a necessary tool to have in the toolbox” and said he’s looking forward to a more competitive Republican field.
“I think we need to be mindful of it, but we also have a president that has an agenda that some, for whatever means, they will try to stop that agenda, they’ll do it,” Ali said.
The Republican primary field is already packed, with five candidates already expressing interest in running and two having filed. The primary is scheduled for March.
Davis says he’s not deterred.
“This is not about national agendas,” he said. “This is about the people, the families of eastern North Carolina.”
Contact Julie Kay at juliekay@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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