John,

I’ve got some news you’re not going to like, and it’s partly about me, but the whole thing is a lot bigger.

In about six weeks our state legislature in North Carolina is going to redraw the congressional map, and it looks like they’re going to try to use that as an opportunity to take me out.

There are a few ways they could do this, but the bottom line is that - from what I’m hearing - the majority party is looking to transform my district into a safe seat for one of their own.

We’re a state in which politicians are allowed to draw the political map - there’s no independent redistricting process - which leads to the kind of blatant political gerrymandering we’re about to see.

It won’t be just me. I’ve got some other colleagues in Congress who will probably be targeted as well.

I’m telling you this now so it won’t be a big shock, because it won’t be a shock to me.

Yes, I object to this way of doing business. When I was in the state legislature, the first bill I ever filed was to ban politicians from drawing the map. It would have put in place an independent process to prevent this kind of gerrymandering.

What happened to that bill? Legislative leadership sent it to a committee that hasn’t met in 20 years, just to send a message that they had no intention of giving up redistricting power.

Which, to be honest, is exactly how my party approached this for many, many decades while they were in charge.

My party absolutely used redistricting to put their thumb on the scale, and now the shoe is on the other foot.

And, as my old drill sergeant would say, that foot is about to be firmly planted in my behind.

I don’t know what happens after that, but I do know that the opportunity to do this job is the honor of a lifetime. It’s something I never expected to happen, and part of me still can’t believe it did. It’s a true joy.

My bet is I won’t know any more about this until you and I read about it in the news, but I’ll certainly let you know when that happens.

One more thing:

I’ve heard from a lot of young people who read these updates and want to run for office one day. I’m grateful that this newsletter has been a source of some inspiration.

To all of those future public servants, please know that, no matter what happens to me, you are the cavalry. We’re all counting on you.

It’s going to be your decency and thoughtfulness and dedication that pulls us out of this very dark political moment and leads us into a version of politics that we can be proud of. Keep going.

Back to regular updates next week, I just needed to give everyone a heads up on this.

Best,

Jeff