In October 2023, the General Assembly passed new congressional and state legislative maps that shifted the even split between Democratic- and Republican-leaning districts to a breakdown of 10 districts favoring Republicans, three favoring Democrats and one remaining a toss-up. Incumbent Tricia Cotham, a former high school assistant principal, made a name for herself when she switched parties from Democrat to Republican last April, giving Republicans a supermajority in the General Assembly. Both the Democratic and Republican Parties have identified District 105 as a seat that will decide the balance of power in North Carolina.