How Things Went from Bad to Worse for North Carolina Republicans

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Former RNC chairman Michael Whatley, a candidate for North Carolina’s U.S. Senate seat, leaves an early polling place after voting in Gastonia, N.C, October 16, 2026.

Jonathan Drake/Reuters

Key Takeaways

  • Republican redistricting backfired, exposing supposedly safe seats when turnout collapsed.
  • Democratic control in Raleigh raises the stakes for conservatives’ 2028 comeback.

North Carolina Republicans knew election night wasn’t going to go well: was running well ahead of former Republican National Committee chairman and the party had pulled resources out of the state with weeks to go, all but conceding the race.

But even the most pessimistic GOP predictions proved too rosy. When the 120th Congress convenes in January, North Carolina’s congressional delegation is poised to feature eleven Democrats and just four Republicans.

Tanner Nau

About the Author

Tanner Nau

Tanner Nau is a Reporting Fellow at National Review, based in Washington, D.C. He previously worked at The Free Press.

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