(The Center Square) – Accusations of redrawing the district of a North Carolina Democratic congressman as a favor for endorsement from America’s Republican president are being denied by the Republican state Senate president pro tempore.
State Sen. Phil Berger, R-Rockingham, released a statement saying, “I’ve been watching what’s going on in California with Gavin Newsom trying to steal the Republican majority in Congress. We have drawn four congressional maps in the last six years in redistricting fights with Democrats because of their sue-until-blue strategy.
“If we have to draw one more map this year, we will. That said, I’ve never spoken to President Trump about this or an endorsement. The Democrats are spreading lies to hurt President Trump.”
Redistricting in the middle of the decennial process has surged in awareness across the country, spurred by tussles in 10 other states inclusive notably of California, Texas, Ohio and Missouri. North Carolina usually redraws maps following the decennial census and they remain in place a decade.
Since Republicans pulled a stunning first-in-140 years grab of majorities in both chambers of the Legislature in 2010, Democrats have battled in courtrooms with the rallying cries of “stop gerrymandering,” “voter disenfranchisement,” and sometimes both. Previous maps drawn by the party over a century, however, are not without similar criticisms.
At play in the squabble is the 1st Congressional District and the Senate seat held by Berger. At the U.S. House of Representatives, as well as for the last two years of this White House administration, it’s the perilous Republican advantage of 219-213 with three vacancies.
Incumbent U.S. Rep. Don Davis, D-N.C., turned back Republican challenger Laurie Buckhout 49.5%-47.8% – just 6,307 votes from more than 376,000 separated them – in the 2024 election. It was the state’s most competitive of 14 congressional races, with all others decided by 13% or greater.
Berger won election to the state Senate in 2000, became leader of his party in the chamber in 2004, and since the historic 2010 cycle has steadily become the nation’s longest actively serving state Senate leader. His toughest challenge in that time to retain his seat is expected in 2026 against popular Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page.
Page commented on the latest dust-up, saying he had heard “Berger’s team has been puffing out their chests and bragging they have President Donald J. Trump over a barrel” in relation to an endorsement. He further wrote if Trump “wants those maps redrawn, that should come with no strings attached – but I guess Phil Berger doesn’t think so.”
