North Carolina’s Republican legislative leaders completed their remapping of the state’s House districts on Wednesday, intent on picking up one more seat for US President Donald Trump’s push to retain his party’s control of Congress in next year’s midterm elections.

The boundaries approved by the state House aim to thwart the re-election of Democratic US congressman Don Davis, an African-American who currently represents more than 20 northeastern counties in what has been the state’s only swing seat. The state Senate already approved the plan in a similar party-line vote on Tuesday.

Republicans hold majorities in both General Assembly chambers, and Democratic Governor Josh Stein cannot veto redistricting maps under state law. So the Republican Party’s lines can now be implemented unless anticipated litigation by Democrats or voting rights advocates stops them.

Candidate filing for 2026 is scheduled to begin on December 1.

Republican lawmakers made crystal clear that their proposed changes answer Trump’s call for Republican-led states to secure more seats for the party nationwide, so that Congress can continue advancing his agenda.

Democrats have responded with rival moves in blue states. A president’s party historically loses seats in midterm elections, and Democrats currently need just three more seats to flip House control.