Redistricting means Greensboro doesn't have a hometown rep in Congress
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Greensboro on a sunny day in fall. Getty Images.
North Carolina's previous congressional map left Greensboro without a hometown representative in Congress, and that won't change under the new map passed Wednesday.
Why it matters: For now, there are four Democrats in North Carolina's 14-seat congressional delegation, despite its status as a fast-growing swing state.
- None of them are from Greensboro, the third-largest city in the state by population. This year's redistricting could take out another Democrat from the eastern part of the state.
Catch up quick: Legislative Republicans — heeding the calls of President Donald Trump to draw the party a new seat ahead of 2026 — have now redrawn the lines down east to oust Don Davis from NC-01.
- "The end result is a congressional map that should perform to elect 11 Republicans," said Sen. Ralph Hise (R-Mitchell), the lawmaker who claimed credit for redrawing the map.
- Davis is a centrist Democrat, reelected in 2024 even as his northeast North Carolina district broke for Trump.
Zoom in: Some in the Democratic stronghold of Guilford County feel unrepresented in the U.S. House without a local rep.
- NC-05: Virginia Foxx is in Banner Elk, 131 miles from the city.
- NC-06: Addison McDowell is closest in Bermuda Run, a 42-mile drive.
- NC-09: Richard Hudson's home is in Southern Pines, 83 miles away.
What they're saying: When questioned about the Greensboro area's three congressional districts, Hise said Republicans prioritized keeping "as many counties whole as possible," which necessitates dividing up larger counties like Guilford and Mecklenburg.
- Sen. Lisa Grafstein (D-Wake) told Axios later that "land does not vote."
The other side: Meanwhile, Sen. Michael Garrett (D-Guilford) tells Axios that "the congressperson that represents me lives 10 minutes from the Tennessee line."
- "It's not representative democracy," Garrett said.
By the numbers: President Donald Trump won North Carolina in 2020 with 50% of the vote, but received just 37% in Guilford County.
- In 2024, Trump won the state with 51% of the vote, but again lost Guilford County, receiving 38% there.
State of play: And none of those congressional representatives have local offices in Greensboro, Winston-Salem or High Point, WFDD reported earlier this year.
- "Congressional district offices pride themselves on being able to cut through bureaucratic red tape and get answers," Wake Forest University politics professor John Dinan told WFDD.
What's next: A lawsuit is likely, but unless it's successful, incumbents in NC-01 and NC-03 — and primary challengers — must pick which district they'll run in. The governor has no veto power.
- Filing begins in December.