North Carolina's 13th congressional district was re-established in 2002 after the state gained population in the 2000 United States census. Previously, the state had 13 districts from the first election following the 1810 census until the reapportionment following the 1840 census. On October 25, 2023 the North Carolina General Assembly redrew and approved a new map shifting its competitive Cook Partisan Voting Index of R+2 to R+11. Making it one of the most Republican districts in North Carolina and it is also considered to be one of the most heavily gerrymandered districts in the state.
The 13th congressional district is currently represented by Brad Knott.
From 2003 to 2013, the district included all of Person and Caswell Counties; as well as parts of Alamance, Granville, Guilford, Rockingham, and Wake Counties. However, reapportionment after the 2010 census shifted the district more to the south and east. As a result, it lost its share of Alamance, Caswell, Guilford, Person, and Rockingham Counties. In the place of those five counties, portions of Durham, Edgecombe, Franklin, Nash, Vance, Wayne, and Wilson Counties were added. Less of Granville County and more of Wake County were also included. While Barack Obama carried the old 13th with 59 percent of the vote in 2008, John McCain would have won it with 54 percent of the vote had it existed under the new lines.
As a result, Democratic Congressman Brad Miller, who represented the district from its creation in 2003, announced he would not seek re-election to office in 2012.[3][4] From 2013 to 2017, the district was represented by Republican George Holding.
After mid-decade redistricting, most of the old 13th district was essentially merged with the old 2nd district. A new 13th district was created, stretching from the northern suburbs of Charlotte to Greensboro. Republican Ted Budd became the first congressman from this new district.
On October 25, 2023, the North Carolina General Assembly redrew and approved a congressional map for the 2024 election, shifting the district from being the most competitive with Cook Partisan Voting Index of R+1 to R+11. Making it one of the most Republican districts in North Carolina. It is also one of the most gerrymandered districts in the state.