Congressmen Don Davis and Greg Murphy respond to new voting map, share what's next

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- After the House passed a new Congressional voting map into law Wednesday afternoon, the two current representatives in the affected districts discussed their plans.

"We're looking at all options right now, because the one thing is the people of eastern North Carolina (are) more like one big family for me. There's so much on many, many people's minds - their worries, their concerns," said Democrat Rep. Don Davis, who represents District 1. "I've been really working to address these issues, and my passion is to continue to speak up and to be that voice, to be that champion for people in North Carolina."

The new map was introduced publicly last week, before passing the Senate on Tuesday and the House on Wednesday. It moves Beaufort, Carteret, Craven, Dare, Hyde, and Pamlico counties from District 3 to District 1, while switching Greene, Lenoir, Wayne, and Wilson counties from District 1 to District 3.

"It's split my old district in half. A lot of decisions had to be made looking at a lot of the calculus, but I'll be running as the incumbent in the third congressional district," said Republican Rep. Greg Murphy, who represents District 3.

Republicans said they drew the map in an effort to gain another seat in the US House, with the change shifting District 1 from a swing seat to one that more strongly favors Republicans.

"Yesterday, I believe, was one of the darkest moments in our state's history. Today is a new day," said Davis.

In 2024, Davis defeated Republican Laurie Buckhout by just more than 6,000 votes, or less than 2%, carrying a district which saw 51% of voters back President Trump. The newly-drawn District 1 saw voters support President Trump at 55%, creating a tougher challenge.

"We're here to work. I'm here to work with the president. I will say to President Trump, I'd rather work with you than going from state to state to state, hopping around, dealing with mid-decade redistricting. And by the way, we need to ban (mid-decade redistricting) right now. We need to ban it," said Davis.

In a statement to ABC11 regarding a potential run in 2026, Buckhout wrote:

"Running for Congress was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I've dedicated my life to serving our country, taking on the tough fights, and protecting American lives. Right now, I'm focused on where I can serve best, whether that's in the Trump administration, as I have done, or potentially somewhere else. No matter what I do or where I serve, I will always come home to Eastern North Carolina."

"I won (in 2022). There was a new district drawn. Won again (in 2024), there was a new district drawn. That's why I was saying it's not my first rodeo, and actually, there was redistricting when I served in the state Senate," Davis said. "We keep winning, and they keep redrawing the maps here. At what point in time do we just say, OK, we're going to stand by whatever the people say? Keep in mind, we just went through redistricting (for 2024). So moving forward in 2026, it'll be my third race for Congress on my third different map.".

Davis said that since President Trump's inauguration in January, his office has received 46,616 messages from members of the public.

"Zero. Not one. Not one asked to redraw maps," Davis said.

Instead, he highlighted issues he's working on, such as healthcare and job creation.

"I'm hearing that people are concerned about costs. This is what they were told that (politicians) were going to focus on. And we're focusing on everything except for bringing down costs. I've heard from farmers across the district in the last few days. I mean, just so many concerns about trade policies and tariffs," said Davis, an Air Force veteran.

Republican state lawmakers denied any coordination with the White House in the redistricting, which drew praise from Trump.

"I'm not allowed to influence any of those things. The map came out when it came out, and that was the first time I'd really seen it. It was a surprise to me and I just had to digest it for a while, do my calculations, and make a decision as to what the future looks like," said Murphy.

He pointed to his prior experience representing Greene and Lenoir counties, as well as a portion of Wayne.

"What we do in the district will change. It's a much more agricultural district. We've got the Global Transpark, we've got pharmaceuticals over in Wilson and everything. I look forward to making a lot of new friends and new partnerships," Murphy shared.

Murphy highlighted topics including illegal immigration and international conflict as key issues.

"My primary committee is Ways and Means, which controls trade, tax, health care, things that affect everybody. No matter what district you're in, it's what's thought to be the preeminent committee in Congress. Everybody in all these districts still pays taxes. We have to deal with trade issues. We have to worry about health care, how it's affordable, accessible," said Murphy, who is a surgeon and formerly served as Chief of Staff at Vidant Medical Center.

Currently, Murphy has two offices in locations that would not be part of District 3 starting next cycle.

"We'll move to where the people are. I don't believe in just having one single central office for an entire district," Murphy said.

Friday afternoon, civil rights activist Bishop William Barber II led a news conference outside the General Assembly discussing plans to take legal action against the new map.

"These redistricting strategies aim to reinforce the political marginalization of minority communities, further reducing their influence in governance and policymaking," said Barber.

"Their goal was clear: to eliminate a competitive district currently represented by a Black member of Congress. We are here today to shine a light on the injustice of those actions," added Kathleen Roblez, Senior Voting Rights Counsel & Litigation Manager at Forward Justice.

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Barber and Roblez said more information regarding a lawsuit would be shared during an event in Wilson next month, though much of the focus during the news conference centered on claims of weakening the power of Black voters in the northeastern part of the state.

"They won't say anything about race. But you don't just judge something as being racist if the person uses the term Black or brown or Asian or native or a worse word. You look at the impact and what they have done will directly impact the Black Belt of North Carolina," said Barber.

Republicans have repeatedly asserted that no racial data was utilized in creating the new map, saying it was based on partisan data, which is legal.

"The folks on the other side of the political spectrum, they don't really have a problem with mid-decade redistricting as long as it's helping Democrats. But if it's helping Republicans, then they have a moral objection to it. I'm confident that the map will be upheld in court, but I'm also confident that they'll file a bunch of lawsuits because that's their strategy," said House Speaker Destin Hall following Wednesday's session.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee DCCC) released a statement Thursday night saying legal actions had already been filed "on behalf of Black voters."

"Republicans in D.C. and in North Carolina are so confident they're going to lose the midterm elections that they desperately rushed through yet another unlawful congressional map that is a continued assault on the voting rights of Black North Carolinians," said Suzan DelBene, DCCC Chair. "I made clear that the DCCC would fight against this illegal map in the courts, and that's exactly what we're continuing to do today."