Politics & Government

Photos: Emotions run high as NC House passes controversial redistricting plan

By Robert Willett
Demonstrators are removed from the gallery of the N.C. House as they loudly denounce Senate Bill 249, a bill to realign the North Carolina congressional districts, on Wednesday, October 22, 2025 at the General Assembly in Raleigh, N.C. The bill passed 66-48.
Demonstrators are removed from the gallery of the N.C. House as they loudly denounce Senate Bill 249, a bill to realign the North Carolina congressional districts, on Wednesday, October 22, 2025 at the General Assembly in Raleigh, N.C. The bill passed 66-48. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com

Emotions ran high Wednesday as the state House debated a bill to realign North Carolina’s congressional districts, passing it into law.

The House gallery was cleared as demonstrators voiced their opposition to passage of Senate Bill 249, a map backed by President Donald Trump that is likely to give Republicans an extra seat in Congress.

Rep. Pricey Harrison, sporting a ‘Fair Map’ sticker, talks with Rep. Brenden H. Jones prior to the House session, where Senate Bill 249, a bill to realign the North Carolina Congressional districts was scheduled for debate, on Wednesday, October 22, 2025 at the General Assembly in Raleigh, N.C.
Rep. Pricey Harrison, sporting a ‘Fair Map’ sticker, talks with Rep. Brenden H. Jones prior to the House session, where Senate Bill 249, a bill to realign the North Carolina Congressional districts was scheduled for debate, on Wednesday, October 22, 2025 at the General Assembly in Raleigh, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
Rep. Pricey Harrison talks with Rep. Brenden H. Jones prior to the House session on Wednesday, October 22, 2025 at the General Assembly in Raleigh, N.C.
Rep. Pricey Harrison talks with Rep. Brenden H. Jones prior to the House session on Wednesday, October 22, 2025 at the General Assembly in Raleigh, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
Rep. Pricey Harrison talks with Rep. Brenden H. Jones prior to the House session on Wednesday, October 22, 2025 at the General Assembly in Raleigh, N.C.
Rep. Pricey Harrison talks with Rep. Brenden H. Jones prior to the House session on Wednesday, October 22, 2025 at the General Assembly in Raleigh, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
Rep. Brenden H. Jones introduces Senate Bill 249, to realign the North Carolina Congressional districts, on the House floor on Wednesday, October 22, 2025 at the General Assembly in Raleigh, N.C.
Rep. Brenden H. Jones introduces Senate Bill 249, to realign the North Carolina Congressional districts, on the House floor on Wednesday, October 22, 2025 at the General Assembly in Raleigh, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
North Carolina House Speaker Destin Hall addresses the gallery after a disruption, during debate of Senate Bill 249, a bill to realign the North Carolina Congressional districts, on Wednesday, October 22, 2025 at the General Assembly in Raleigh, N.C.
North Carolina House Speaker Destin Hall addresses the gallery after a disruption, during debate of Senate Bill 249, a bill to realign the North Carolina Congressional districts, on Wednesday, October 22, 2025 at the General Assembly in Raleigh, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
Rep. Jimmy Dixon addresses the House session, expressing his support for President Trump and for Senate Bill 249, a bill to realign the North Carolina Congressional districts, on Wednesday, October 22, 2025 at the General Assembly in Raleigh, N.C.
Rep. Jimmy Dixon addresses the House session, expressing his support for President Trump and for Senate Bill 249, a bill to realign the North Carolina Congressional districts, on Wednesday, October 22, 2025 at the General Assembly in Raleigh, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
Rep. Tricia Cotham passes a bowl of candy to Rep. Kelly Hastings during debate of Senate Bill 249, legislation to realign the North Carolina Congressional districts, on Wednesday, October 22, 2025 at the General Assembly in Raleigh, N.C.
Rep. Tricia Cotham passes a bowl of candy to Rep. Kelly Hastings during debate of Senate Bill 249, legislation to realign the North Carolina Congressional districts, on Wednesday, October 22, 2025 at the General Assembly in Raleigh, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
N.C. House Democratic Leader Rep. Robert Reives, gives an impassioned plea to vote against Senate Bill 249, before being cut off by House Speaker Destin Hall, after surpassing his eight minute limit to speak, on Wednesday, October 22, 2025 at the General Assembly in Raleigh, N.C.
N.C. House Democratic Leader Rep. Robert Reives, gives an impassioned plea to vote against Senate Bill 249, before being cut off by House Speaker Destin Hall, after surpassing his eight minute limit to speak, on Wednesday, October 22, 2025 at the General Assembly in Raleigh, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
Rep. Nasif Majeed photographs the vote count on Senate Bill 249 following its passage on Wednesday, October 22, 2025 at the General Assembly in Raleigh, N.C.
Rep. Nasif Majeed photographs the vote count on Senate Bill 249 following its passage on Wednesday, October 22, 2025 at the General Assembly in Raleigh, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
Rep. Allison Dahle listens to Rep. Robert Reives as he debates Senate Bill 249, before being cut off by House Speaker Destin Hall, after surpassing his eight minute limit to speak, on Wednesday, October 22, 2025 at the General Assembly in Raleigh, N.C.
Rep. Allison Dahle listens to Rep. Robert Reives as he debates Senate Bill 249, before being cut off by House Speaker Destin Hall, after surpassing his eight minute limit to speak, on Wednesday, October 22, 2025 at the General Assembly in Raleigh, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
Demonstrators chant as they are removed from the gallery of the N.C. House as they loudly denounce Senate Bill 249, a bill to realign the North Carolina Congressional districts, on Wednesday, October 22, 2025 at the General Assembly in Raleigh, N.C.
Demonstrators chant as they are removed from the gallery of the N.C. House as they loudly denounce Senate Bill 249, a bill to realign the North Carolina Congressional districts, on Wednesday, October 22, 2025 at the General Assembly in Raleigh, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
Demonstrators are removed from the gallery of the N.C. House as they denounce Senate Bill 249, a bill to realign the North Carolina Congressional districts, on Wednesday, October 22, 2025 at the General Assembly in Raleigh, N.C.
Demonstrators are removed from the gallery of the N.C. House as they denounce Senate Bill 249, a bill to realign the North Carolina Congressional districts, on Wednesday, October 22, 2025 at the General Assembly in Raleigh, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
Demonstrators chant as they are removed from the gallery of the N.C. House as they loudly denounce Senate Bill 249, a bill to realign the North Carolina Congressional districts, on Wednesday, October 22, 2025 at the General Assembly in Raleigh, N.C.
Demonstrators chant as they are removed from the gallery of the N.C. House as they loudly denounce Senate Bill 249, a bill to realign the North Carolina Congressional districts, on Wednesday, October 22, 2025 at the General Assembly in Raleigh, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
Demonstrators chant as they are removed from the gallery of the N.C. House as they loudly denounce Senate Bill 249, a bill to realign the North Carolina Congressional districts, on Wednesday, October 22, 2025 at the General Assembly in Raleigh, N.C.
Demonstrators chant as they are removed from the gallery of the N.C. House as they loudly denounce Senate Bill 249, a bill to realign the North Carolina Congressional districts, on Wednesday, October 22, 2025 at the General Assembly in Raleigh, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
N.C. House Democratic Leader Rep. Robert Reives, flanked by House Democrats, talks with the media following passage of Senate Bill 249, a bill to realign the North Carolina Congressional districts, on Wednesday, October 22, 2025 at the General Assembly in Raleigh, N.C.
N.C. House Democratic Leader Rep. Robert Reives, flanked by House Democrats, talks with the media following passage of Senate Bill 249, a bill to realign the North Carolina Congressional districts, on Wednesday, October 22, 2025 at the General Assembly in Raleigh, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com

This story was originally published October 22, 2025 at 1:37 PM.

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