Husser, professor of political science and public policy, offered his insight on North Carolina lawmaker's efforts to redraw congressional maps.
Professor of Political Science and Public Policy Jason Husser was interviewed by WFMY in Greensboro, North Carolina, and WVEC in Norfolk, Virginia about North Carolina lawmakers’ efforts to redraw congressional maps.
On Oct. 21, North Carolina lawmakers approved a new congressional map that eliminates the state’s only competitive U.S. House district, currently held by a Democrat, and makes it more Republican-leaning. The former map had 10 Republican-leaning and four Democratic-leaning districts. The new paper shifts that to 11 Republican-leaning and three Democratic-leaning.
In an Oct. 20 interview with WFMY, Husser said that mid-decade redistricting is unusual and highly partisan.
“North Carolina has had a few different maps over the last nine years, which is very confusing for voters,” Husser said. “These maps need to be in place ahead of the 2026 election cycle, which is why Republicans are pushing the change so much.”
Speaking with WVEC, Husser said there isn’t much Democrats can do, since the Republicans control the House and Senate, and the governor cannot veto the legislation.
“The Governor of North Carolina has a very weak veto,” Husser said. “It’s a veto that can be overturned relatively easily, and it’s a veto that can’t be involved in certain things, and one of those things is maps.”
However, Husser said it’s not “impossible” for Democrats to hold on to the competitive U.S. House seat (District 1).
“Just because the map is going to be drawn the way it’s going to be drawn, doesn’t mean it’s a lock for guarantee that Democrats will lose the seat, but it certainly doesn’t help and it really pushes the odds that Republicans in Washington are going to get one extra member of the House, thanks to the North Carolina state Republican party,” said Husser.