Republicans stand at a three-seat advantage in the national redistricting battle.
Republicans have regained the advantage in the national mid-decade redistricting battle after the Virginia Supreme Court struck down a map that sought to grow the Democratic majority in the state House.
Under the redrawn map proposed by Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger and her fellow Democrats in the state Legislature, Republicans were projected to lose up to four U.S. House seats in the upcoming midterms—a development that would have placed Democrats ahead in the national fight.
Following approval of the map on April 22, Republicans took the fight against the redistricting effort to court.
The state Supreme Court agreed with the Republican critics of the measure, ruling that the Democrat-majority General Assembly failed to follow constitutional procedures when advancing the measure.
The proposed map would likely have heavily favored Democrats, creating a projected 10-to-one advantage over Republicans in the state’s U.S. House delegation.
The decision bolsters Republicans’ national position ahead of the midterm elections, as the redistricting fight approaches its conclusion with the approaching 2026 midterm primaries.
Here’s what to know.
Republican States That Have Redistricted
The national redistricting frenzy was kicked off in Texas after President Donald Trump urged Republicans to redraw the state’s congressional maps in the wake of his sweeping 14-point win in the state in 2024, citing racial gerrymandering following the 2020 census.
Texas Republicans ultimately passed a redistricting measure that is expected to expand their majority in the state Legislature by five seats.
Since then, several other states have also approved redistricting measures.
In Ohio, lawmakers approved a bipartisan deal that Republicans hope will see them gain up to two new seats. Some state Legislature Democrats who backed the deal expressed optimism that their party could retain one or both of the seats under the new maps.
In North Carolina, Republicans passed a map that is expected to flip the seat currently held by Rep. Don Davis (D-N.C.).
Likewise, Missouri Republicans passed a measure that they hope will help the party pick up one more House seat. The state Supreme Court has upheld the map against some challenges, though it will continue to hear a few cases on the matter in May.
In total, Republicans could gain up to nine new seats from these districting changes.
By Joseph Lord
