New House districts pass initial vote

A new map of House districts for Pender and New Hanover County passed a second reading in the House Monday night 116-to-1.

In March, the US Supreme Court ruled the 18th District was an unconstitutional minority-influence district.

The new plan puts all of Pender and northeast New Hanover in the 16th District represented by Carolyn Justice.

The 18th District and Sandra Spaulding Hughes would serve northwest New Hanover including downtown Wilmington. She said the plan does what the High Court required, but could hurt minority candidates in the future.

“It will affect that population, because we could not incorporate all, of course, the African American communities. But we do have a large democratic constituency, and if that person has worked hard, well-known, developed relationships in that community, there’s a possibility another minority could win within the next election.”

Spaulding Hughes hopes she is that candidate. She plans to run again next year.

The House has to vote one more time on the map before it moves to the Senate.