CAN NC’S 12TH DISTRICT
BE REDRAWN TO LEAN
REPUBLICAN?
By Cash Michaels
Contributing writer
In the aftermath of the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent stunning decision in Louisiana v. Callais, which struck down that state’s second majority-minority voting district as an unconstitutional racial gerrymander, crippling Section 2 of the 1965 Voting Rights Act (VRA) and setting off a redistricting race across the South to erase similar black majority-minority districts, can the same thing here in North Carolina?
The result is a dilution of the black vote, and a loss of black representation in Congress.
"This recent Supreme Court ruling is part of a long assault on the Voting Rights Act (VRA) of 1965," Rep. Alma Adams of NC's only still-standing majority-minority district, the 12th, said in statement afterwards. “The Supreme Court has weakened an essential provision in the VRA used to protect the country from extremely biased racial gerrymandering. These protections weren't a favor; they were a debt this nation owed to Black Americans after centuries of terror at the ballot box.”
Tennessee almost immediately redistricted Memphis, the only majority-minority district there, slicing it three ways into Republican-leaning voting districts.
“With the Memphis Massacre that occurred in the Tennessee Legislature, the political carnage has begun,” NCCU Law Prof. Irving Joyner warned. “Watch out!”
The only question now is how many black Congressional seats are now at risk? South Carolina is on target to redraw the one black majority congressional district within its boundaries, currently represented by veteran Democratic Congressman Jim Clyburn. Alabama is petitioning to get permission to redraw its districts, and Louisiana also wants to redraw, and has delayed its primaries.
Can the Republican-led NC General Assembly also target North Carolina’s 12th Congressional District, which has always been Democratic, majority black, and for the past six terms represented by Rep. Adams?
The 12th District is considered North Carolina’s most Democratic structured congressional district in the state, with Charlotte a main urban center, comprised of 36.5% black, 35.9% and 17.6% Hispanic populations. The district has, in fact, never been represented by a Republican, though it has been legally challenged in the past.
So can it be challenged and redrawn now or in the near future?
The answer before the Louisiana ruling was no, thanks to federal legal protections.
But since that U.S. Supreme Court decision, and how it dismantled the protections of Section 2 of the VRA in favor of partisan gerrymandering (which is legal in North Carolina), still extremely difficult, observers say, but not impossible.
“[E]very congressional district is at risk in this race to the bottom on gerrymandering,” Democratic House Leader Rep. Robert Reives (Caswell) added, “[The] Supreme Court decision on Louisiana v. Callais should be disappointing to all North Carolinians who believe in fair representation and a seat at the table. But it also isn't new. In fact, North Carolina has been the blueprint for how Republican leadership stifles the voices of voters - especially black
and brown voters -- in pursuit of further power. Now, the rest of the South will be in a race to the bottom to see how many Democrats in Congress lose their seats, and more importantly how many black and brown voters in the South lose their voice in Congress. This decision is disheartening but far from unexpected, the work toward a more perfect union never ends."
State Sen. Natalie Murdock (D-Durham) agrees that it would be no surprise if Republican legislative leaders were huddling together to figure out strategies with which to approach carving up the 12th Congressional District eventually.
“[Republicans] would have to do a lot of work because Mecklenburg County is huge , and they would have to slice off a large part of the [Charlotte] metro area to try to pull that off,” Sen. Murdock said. “So not saying that it’s impossible, but unlikely. I wish that it wasn’t even a question on the table,” Sen. Murdock added.
In addition to the Supreme Court ruling now endangering majority-minority Democratic districts across the South, before the ruling, North Carolina Republican legislative leaders were able to redraw the First Congressional District, currently represented by by incumbent two-term Democratic Congressman Don Davis, so that it now leans Republican, with the historically black voting perentage cut from 40% to 32%.
Sen. Murdock says despite that, Congressman Davis, who was once her seat mate in the NC legislature, can still overcome the dilution of black voting support in his district, and win in the fall.
“He’s working very hard,” Sen. Murdock said proudly, adding that she is helping him where she can.
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CHARLOTTE MAYOR VY
LYLES ANNOUNCES SHE’S
STEPPING DOWN JUNE 30TH
By Cash Michaels
Contributing writer
Come June 30th, will also come the end of an era in North Carolina.
That’s when Vy Lyles, the first African-American female mayor of Charlotte - the nation’s 14th largest city - will officially step down from office after nine years in office.
Re-elected just six months ago, the five-term Democrat was the second longest serving mayor in the Queen City’s history.
Mayor Lyles issued her surprise early announcement May 7th.
“Serving as Charlotte’s mayor has been the honor of my life,”she said. “I am proud of our record navigating various challenges, strengthening our economy, investing in our neighborhoods, and building a foundation for Charlotte’s continued success during a time of rapid growth. Now, it is time for the next phase of my life, to spend more time with my grandchildren and for someone new to lead us forward.”
By stepping down now before her term ends, Lyles said provides an opportunity for the next generation.
“I am very proud of my record as mayor, but I also firmly believe that true leadership includes knowing when it is time to let the next generation of leaders take over,” she said. “By leaving early, the voters will have more time to learn about their candidates. Our city is strong, our trajectory is positive, and now is the right moment for someone else to build on our progress from the past few years.”
Lyles, 73, expects there to be speculation, but her reason for stepping down is as she stated.
“As in all things politics, I am sure there will be speculation as to why I am making this decision now,” the Columbia, SC native said. “Simply put, I am going to spend time with my grandchildren. Like many of us, I have missed some moments with them and intend not to miss anymore!”
By resigning early, Mayor Lyles puts an end to an over 30-year career in Charlotte City government, serving as mayor pro-term, assistant city manager, budget director and a budget analyst, before being elected mayor in 2017.
Reaction to Mayor Lyles surprise announcement from her colleagues and other local government officials was both understanding and thoughtful.
“Public service at this level requires tremendous sacrifice, not just from the person serving, but from their family as well,” said City Councilwoman Dimple Ajmera. “I want to thank Mayor Lyles for her years of service to Charlotte and wish her and her family the very best in this next chapter.”
Lyles indicated that she will not make any endorsements for her replacement, and will not run for reelection in 2027.
The Charlotte City Council will now have to determine who will finish out the rest of Mayor Lyles’ term.
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