Politics · United States · 3 hrs ago
Republicans spend heavily to defend districts redrawn in their favor
Republicans are spending heavily to defend House seats in districts redrawn to favor them.
Before the US midterm elections, Republican-led states changed the boundaries of 15 congressional districts in Texas, Florida and other states.
The new maps were intended to give Republicans an advantage, based in part on how people voted in the 2024 presidential election.
But recent polls suggest Democrats could win 10 of the 15 redrawn districts, though polls do not guarantee the result.
In North Carolina's 1st District, Republicans have spent $20 million on campaign ads, while total advertising in the race has topped $42 million since September.
President Trump has campaigned for Republican candidates there as the race has become a toss-up.
Voters go to the polls on November 3, and Republicans could still gain seats in other districts.
Republicans are spending heavily to defend congressional seats they redrew to favor their party, as several races have become competitive.
In North Carolina’s 1st District, the new lines were expected to give Republicans a strong advantage, but the race is now considered a toss-up.
Republicans and their donors have spent millions on campaign advertising in districts they had hoped would be easy wins.
A Dutch public broadcaster reported that polling suggested Democrats could win 10 of 15 districts redrawn by Republicans.
Separately, Republican-aligned groups have directed millions to defend vulnerable Senate incumbents in traditionally Republican states.
- Who
- Republicans and Republican-aligned groups are spending to support their candidates. Democrats are seeking to win seats in the redrawn districts.
- What
- Republicans are spending heavily on campaigns in districts redrawn to favor them, as well as on vulnerable Senate races.
- When
- In the final week before the 2026 midterm elections, scheduled for Nov. 3.
- Where
- In redrawn congressional districts, including North Carolina’s 1st District, and in Senate races in Kansas, South Carolina, Nebraska and Mississippi.
- Why
- Redistricting was intended to give Republicans an advantage and help protect their House majority. Spending increased as races became competitive.
Republicans
Democrats
Redistricting
Republicans
Republicans sought to redraw district lines to improve their electoral prospects.
Democrats
Democrats opposed the Republican effort and argued it was undemocratic and manipulative.
Campaign outlook
Republicans
Republicans are spending to defend seats they expected to win.
Democrats
Democrats see opportunities to win seats in districts redrawn to favor Republicans.
Trump and his political team put pressure on Republican-led states to redraw congressional districts in Republicans’ favor.
North Carolina’s legislature redrew the 1st Congressional District to try to make it reliably Republican.
More than $42 million was spent on advertising in North Carolina’s 1st District, according to NPR’s analysis of AdImpact data.
Trump appeared at a rally in Greenville, North Carolina, where he urged voters to support Republican congressional candidates.
Reports described Republican spending to defend redrawn House districts and vulnerable Senate seats ahead of the midterms.
- North Carolina’s 1st District
- Redrawn to favor Republicans; now considered a toss-up
- North Carolina’s 1st District advertising
- More than $42 million spent between Sept. 1 and Election Day, according to NPR
- Republican redrawn districts
- 15 districts across Texas, Florida and other states, according to NOS
- Democratic prospects
- Polling analysts cited by NOS said Democrats could win 10 of the 15 redrawn districts
- Senate Republican-aligned spending
- $14 million across Kansas, South Carolina, Nebraska and Mississippi in the penultimate campaign week, according to WIRED
- Kansas Senate race
- More than $5 million in spending by the Senate Leadership Fund, according to WIRED
3 sources
What people are saying
It just has not turned out that way,
There are more of us,
He said 'if you could, give them a special call out tonight, because they're going to have close races',