RALEIGH, N.C. — North Carolina is poised to become the first swing state to draw new congressional districts amid a nationwide arms race between Republicans and Democrats to secure additional seats ahead of next year's midterm election.

President Trump initiated the mid-decade battle to help the GOP keep control of the U.S. House.

In North Carolina, Republican legislative leaders announced last week they wanted to redraw the map with the aim of winning 11 of the state's 14 congressional districts. The GOP currently controls 10 of the seats.

To accomplish that, Republicans focused on the 1st Congressional District, in the northeastern corner of the state. The 1st is the state's only swing district and has been represented by Black lawmakers for decades, most recently two-term U.S. Rep.

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