Dave Wasserman ‏ To put # NC11 in perspective…even with Asheville newly back in the district, it voted for Trump by 17.3% in 2016. Even in the “Blue Wave” of 2018, Democrats failed to flip a single GOP-held seat that voted for Trump by that much.

Meadow’s district is in the mountains of western North Carolina and includes the city of Asheville. It became modestly more Democratic after a court ordered redistricting to undo extreme Republican gerrymandering.

Two other Republican congressmen, George Holding (NC-CD2) and Mark Walker (NC-CD6), announced their retirements from the US House earlier this month. Both of their districts became likely Democratic pickups due to the same redistricting.

Filing deadline for the March 3 primary is tomorrow, cutting it very close for Republicans to find a strong replacement for Meadows. Four Democrats have already filed.

With three Republican congressmen retiring from North Carolina will it impact turnout in the presidential, and Senate elections in what may be a key swing state? The Tar Heel state will also have the most important governor’s race of 2020

Meadows is about 20th the House Republican to announce retirement, three have already resigned, and four are running for other offices.