Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis revealed a new redistricted congressional map for the state that, if approved by the Republican-controlled legislature, would give the GOP an additional four seats in Congress.
The proposal would take effect for the 2026 midterm elections. Currently, Florida's delegation stands at 20 Republicans and seven Democrats, with one Democratic seat vacant following former Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick's resignation. The new map could shift that balance to 24 Republicans against five or fewer Democrats.
What the Right Is Saying
DeSantis defended the map as a matter of fair representation tied to population growth and shifting demographics.
"Florida got shortcounted in the 2020 Census, and we've been fighting for fair representation ever since," DeSantis told Fox News Digital. "Our population has since grown dramatically, and we have moved from a Democrat majority to a 1.5 million Republican advantage."
The governor argued that current maps are unconstitutional because they were drawn based on race. "Drawing maps based on race, which is reflected in our current congressional districts, is unconstitutional and should be prohibited," he said.
"Our new map for 2026 makes good on my promise to conduct mid-decade redistricting, and it more fairly represents the makeup of Florida today," DeSantis added.
A source familiar with the governor's thinking told Fox News Digital that the timing is not connected to Virginia's recent political shifts. "The governor has been planning this long before what took place in Virginia, and continues to be adamant that Floridians deserve fair representation that accurately reflects the state's changing population and demographics," the source said.
DeSantis also fired back at Jeffries by inviting him to campaign in Florida. "Please. Be my guest. I will pay for you to come down to Florida to campaign," DeSantis said during a news conference. "I'll put you up in the Florida governor's mansion. We will take you fishing."
What the Left Is Saying
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., criticized the proposal in strong terms during a Florida news conference where DeSantis unveiled the plan.
"Our message to Florida Republicans is F around and find out," Jeffries said. "If they go down the road of a DeSantis dummymander, the Florida Republicans are gonna find themselves in the same situation as Texas Republicans, who are on the run right now."
Jeffries argued that aggressive redistricting strategies tend to backfire politically. "Under no circumstances are Texas Republicans picking up five seats," he said. "They'll be fortunate if they get two or three. While in California, we are going to get all five."
Democrats have pointed to Virginia's recent passage of a constitutional amendment allowing mid-decade redistricting as an alternative model. Virginia voters approved the measure 51.5 percent to 48.5 percent last week, with projections showing Democrats could gain up to nine seats under new maps.
"Virginia voters have spoken, and tonight they approved a temporary measure to push back against a President who claims he is 'entitled' to more Republican seats in Congress," Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger said in a statement praising the amendment's passage.
What the Numbers Show
Florida currently holds 27 congressional seats, the third-largest delegation behind California and Texas.
Under the current map, Republicans hold 20 seats while Democrats hold seven, with one seat vacant.
The proposed new map would shift four additional seats to Republican control based on population changes since the 2020 Census.
Florida's population has grown significantly since the last redistricting cycle, giving the state potential leverage in future apportionment debates ahead of the 2030 Census.
Both Virginia and California have recently moved to allow mid-decade redistricting, with California's Democratic-led legislature drawing maps that could shift four seats from Republican to Democratic control.
The national House balance currently sits at slim majorities for both parties depending on election outcomes, making individual seat shifts in states like Florida highly consequential.
The Bottom Line
The proposed map now moves to the Florida state legislature, where Republicans hold supermajorities in both chambers. Lawmakers would need to approve the redrawing before DeSantis signs it into law.
If enacted, the new district lines would first apply to the 2026 midterm elections, potentially reshaping Florida's influence in a Congress currently defined by razor-thin majorities.
Democrats are expected to challenge the map in court if signed into law, citing concerns about partisan gerrymandering. Legal experts will likely focus on DeSantis's stated rationale that current maps improperly consider race.
Both parties are watching closely as redistricting battles unfold in multiple states simultaneously, with control of Congress potentially hanging in the balance.