There’s a chance that President Trump’s gerrymander of North Carolina could backfire on him—and NC Republicans—in a BIG way. Here’s what to know.
In 2025, Trump had a plan to help Republicans hold onto Congress in this year’s midterms: He ordered Republican-led states to start gerrymandering—to redraw their congressional maps to make it easier for the GOP to hold onto power.
It kicked off a kind of redistricting “cold war” with the Democrats. But the gerrymandering arms race could have unintended consequences, making some supposedly “safe” seats in North Carolina less safe in the 2026 election.
One of those races that’s flying under the radar is NC Congressional District 3, where Republican incumbent Greg Murphy is facing Democrat (and former NC lawmaker) Raymond Smith Jr.
Recent polling has the underdog Democrat in that race within the margin of error.
In a new Billy Ball Explains NC, Cardinal & Pine Senior Newsletter Editor Billy Ball breaks it all down.
What’s Billy Ball Explains NC?
Billy Ball Explains NC is a weekly conversation about North Carolina politics, culture, and news, led by Cardinal & Pine Senior Newsletter Editor Billy Ball @thelivingsouth.
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