Some voters respond to possible redistricting impact in Wilson

WILSON, N.C. (WTVD) — On the second day of early voting, residents in Wilson trickled into the Wilson County Board of Elections Office to cast their ballots in a slate of municipal races.

Next year, who they can vote to represent them in Congress may look different.

Newly-proposed maps would switch Greene, Lenoir, Wayne, and Wilson counties from District 1 to District 3, while moving Beaufort, Carteret, Craven, Dare, Hyde, and Pamlico counties, plus a small section of Onslow County, from District 3 to District 1. Currently, District 1 is represented by Democrat Don Davis, while District 3 is represented by Republican Greg Murphy.

“I don’t legitimately see a reason (to switch the district). But as you know, they’re trying to please the president. That’s the only thing I can come up with,” said William Hinnant of Wilson.

In 2024, Davis won District 1 by less than 2%, or about a 6,000-vote margin. It was the lone Congressional race in North Carolina that year to be decided by fewer than 13%.

Analysts anticipate these newly-drawn lines would change the district from a swing seat to Republican-leaning, a belief backed up by voting data.

Murphy did not face a Democratic challenger in 2024. He defeated Libertarian candidate Gheorghe Cormos by about 176,00 votes, or nearly 55%. For a more accurate representation, we looked at the presidential voting results in the six counties in the proposal, which would switch from District 3 to District 1. In that race, Donald Trump earned roughly 47,200 more votes than Kamala Harris.

In the four counties that would move from District 1 to District 3 under the proposed maps, Republican Laurie Buckhout earned about 3,800 more votes than Davis.

Based on these results, Republicans could potentially see a sizeable gain in voters in District 1; while they would take a net loss in District 3, the district would still strongly favor Republicans.

“Trying to redistrict just for political gain is not appropriate,” said Linda O’Boyle.

Lawmakers are able to draw maps to gain a partisan advantage, a tactic they employed for the 2024 cycle. After a split of seven Democrats and seven Republicans using court-ordered maps in 2022, a newly introduced voting map for 2024 led to three incumbent Democrats – Jeff Jackson, Kathy Manning, and Wiley Nickel – to opt against seeking re-election. Republicans won all three of those seats, leading to the current delegation of 10 Republicans and 4 Democrats.

If this newly proposed map were to pass, Republicans would be favored in District 1.

“It’s the same old political game. We’re in, you’re out. You’re in, we’re out. I’d just like to see some progress in areas that need progress,” said Bill O’Boyle.

“It does confuse the voters a little bit. Once they change the redistricting every two years or four years, it challenges us to see why are we voting,” said Johnnie E. Chestnut, who is running to represent District 7 on the Wilson City Council.

Other residents downplayed the potential impact, saying ultimately voters still have the opportunity to elect their representatives.

“I’m not going to say that I am a proponent of redistricting, but what I would say is if more people will vote, redistricting would matter less. We send those representatives up there to perform a task. And if we don’t like what it is they’re doing, then we should vote and get those individuals out of office,” said Glenn Wright of Wilson.

Past the political considerations, Linda O’Boyle pointed to the impact it could have on constituent services.

“It’s important to know who our representatives are and how to contact them. And with this continuous shuffling around, it does leave people in the dark. Everyone doesn’t have access or know how to get on websites and find out. Everyone doesn’t stay abreast until they need something and then it becomes difficult to locate,” said O’Boyle.

Friday, Davis said the focus should remain on issues impacting voters.

“My concern is we’re even having this conversation over redistricting as opposed to talking about health care or community health centers. You know what the future holds for somebody right now that is seriously concerned if they can afford health insurance,” said Davis.

Representative Greg Murphy did not respond to an interview request, but addressed the maps in a post on his personal X account:

“I look forward to running & winning in ’26 to continue representing eNC. The proposed map splits the counties I now represent down the middle. I’ve had a home at the coast for decades & always represented Coastal concerns; these all are being weighed as I review the new districts.”

Republican leadership in North Carolina pointed to redistricting efforts in California, led by that state’s Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom, as the reason behind the move here. However, California acted only after Texas Republicans worked to redraw maps in their state.

Friday, President Trump applauded redistricting efforts in North Carolina, writing in part on Truth Social:

“Thank you to North Carolina’s incredible Republican State Legislators, who just introduced a new, fair, and improved Congressional Map, a situation I am watching and strongly supporting, very closely. It was my Great Honor to win North Carolina six times, including Primaries, in 2016, 2020, and 2024, and this new Map would give the fantastic people of North Carolina the opportunity to elect an additional MAGA Republican in the 2026 Midterm Elections, which would be A HUGE VICTORY for our America First Agenda, not just in North Carolina, but across our Nation.”

Legislators are accepting public comment to the proposed maps, which can be submitted through this link.

Monday, the Senate Election Committee is set to meet in Raleigh and review the maps.

Governor Josh Stein is not able to veto voting maps. Friday, he posted on his personal X account:

“Republican leadership in the General Assembly has failed to pass a budget, failed to pay our teachers and law enforcement what they deserve, and failed to fully fund Medicaid. And now they are failing the voters of North Carolina.

I promise to always fight for you, because voters should choose their representatives, not the other way around.”