NC political battle brewing over state senate Democrat's residency
State senate Republicans are calling on Democratic Senator Lisa Grafstein to resign her seat after she moved to a new address, saying she is no longer eligible to represent her current district because she no longer lives in it.
Grafstein told WRAL News she does not plan to comply.
State lawmakers are required to live in the district in which they file for election. When Senate Republicans drew new districts in October, they redrew Senator Lisa Grafstein's current district to exclude her residence, leaving her in the same district with another Democrat, Senator Jay Chaudhri.
That process, known as "double-bunking," is typically used to eliminate lawmakers who have fallen out of favor with chamber leadership. Grafstein has been one of the foremost voices in opposition to Republican proposals like abortion restrictions and anti-LGBTQ+ legislation. She is the only openly LGBTQ+ member of the Senate.
The day after the maps were approved along strict party lines, Grafstein announced on social media she would move to a new address to remain eligible to run in the new Senate District 13 in 2024.
"As a result of the chopping and carving of our Wake Co. Senate districts, I will be seeking re-election in Senate District 13 in 2024. I look forward to meeting new neighbors, making new friends, and reconnecting with others I have known for years," Grafstein posted Oct. 26 on the site formerly known as Twitter.
Wednesday, the state Republican party issued a press release calling on Grafstein to resign her current seat.
"The N.C. Constitution is clear: state lawmakers must live in the district they represent," NCGOP spokesman Jeff Moore said.
By moving and changing her voter registration to her new address, he said, Grafstein "has disqualified herself from continuing to serve in the state Senate in the district she currently represents."
"North Carolina voters deserve representation in accordance with the N.C. Constitution, not absent representatives busy searching for a more desirable soapbox from which to pander to the radical left," Moore wrote. "Sen. Grafstein should resign now."
The call was re-posted by the social media account belonging to the state Senate Republican caucus.
Grafstein said she has no plans to step down, calling the request "weak and unsurprising."
"While I have been advocating for public schools, working people, and reproductive freedom, they've spent their time trying to rig the legislature to enact their unpopular and extreme agenda of cutting public school funding and outlawing abortion in North Carolina," she said in a statement.
"Their cynical tactics are reprehensible and undemocratic," Grafstein continued. "I look forward to continuing to fight for our public schools, our freedom to control our own bodies, and the ability of hardworking North Carolinians to take care of their families."
WRAL News has asked staffers for Senate Leader Phil Berger, R-Rockingham, whether he intends to pursue the issue. They did not respond.
Other Democrats came to Grafstein's defense, including Durham Rep. Marcia Morey.
"Partisan gerrymandering double bunked 2 Dem senators. With total dedication Sen Grafstein uproots her home, moves a few miles to run in a new senate district in 2024. Now the GOP cries foul over their own plan that backfired," Morey posted on social media. "NC needs Lisa Grafstein in the NC Senate."
Residency fights aren't uncommon during the run-up to an election. In 2022, two Senate candidates faced eligibility challenges over their home addresses. Both candidates were ultimately allowed to run in their chosen districts, but neither won their election.
