In the heart of North Carolina’s eastern belt, amidst the vast agricultural landscape, the attendees at the Mark Chapel Baptist Church are engrossed in a sermon. The theme revolves around the significance of faith and their role as part of the “Black Belt”, an area recognized for its predominantly Black congressional districts in the South.
Historically, the 1st Congressional District in North Carolina has been a Democratic stronghold. It hasn’t elected a Republican since the 19th century and has been represented by African Americans since the early 90s. However, the political landscape might change this year.
This crucial swing state, with 16 electoral votes up for grabs, presents a new political reality for its residents. Despite a Democratic presidential candidate failing to win the state since 2008, the Republican margins have been thinning in recent elections. Donald Trump’s victories in 2016 and 2020 were by slim margins of 3.6 and 1.3 points, respectively. Moreover, the First District is the only competitive congressional race in the state, following North Carolina’s redistricting.
Currently, North Carolina’s congressional delegation is evenly split, with seven Republicans and seven Democrats. However, the redrawing of the map is expected to tilt the balance towards the Republicans, with the 1st District being a toss-up, as per the Cook Political Report.
Recently, Vice President Kamala Harris paid a visit to East Carolina University in Pitt County, which has been redistricted from the Democratic-leaning 1st Congressional District to the 3rd Congressional District, expected to favor Republicans. The current Democratic representative of the 1st District, Don Davis, spoke shortly before Harris’s address.
The 1st Congressional District is home to some of the oldest Black communities in the U.S., boasting a rich legacy of political organizing. Princeville, the oldest town chartered by African Americans, is located here. It was formed at the end of the Civil War. The district is also home to the term “environmental justice”, originating from a protest in 1982 in Warren County.
Princeville, however, has faced repeated flooding threats for decades. Mayor Bobbie Jones has been struggling to protect this historical town from increasingly severe flooding. The town received a significant boost in 2024 when it was awarded $11 million for building flood reduction infrastructure through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
This year, Jones has noticed a renewed enthusiasm within his community, especially among the young voters. Community leaders in neighboring Warren County are focusing on educating younger generations about historical political movements that originated in their region.
Former Rep. Eva Clayton, the first Black woman elected to Congress from North Carolina, believes that engaging the overlooked rural Black communities in the Black Belt is crucial for a Democratic win.
Numerous organizations across rural Eastern North Carolina are working tirelessly to engage voters and increase their participation in politics. Woke Vote, a non-profit, is one such organization. They aim to register voters, inform them about voting requirements, and plan logistics for reaching the polls.
Church leaders are encouraging their congregants to register and vote, highlighting the sacrifices made by their ancestors for their right to vote. Some, like Pastor Douglas Leonard at Mark Chapel, are even coordinating transport.
Hence, amidst this changing political landscape, the residents of North Carolina’s 1st Congressional District are becoming increasingly aware of their political power and the potential for change.
