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By Gabe Whisnant and Jenna Sundel
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Florida Governor Ron DeSantis on Monday unveiled a proposed new congressional map for the state that could boost Republicans’ hold on the U.S. House, escalating a high-stakes redistricting fight tied to President Donald Trump’s nationwide push to redraw congressional lines ahead of the midterm elections.
The map, released by DeSantis’ office ahead of a special legislative session, would likely create up to four additional GOP-leaning districts if approved by Florida’s Republican-controlled Legislature. Republicans currently hold 20 of the state’s 28 U.S. House seats. DeSantis said the proposal reflects population shifts since the 2020 Census and anticipates a U.S. Supreme Court ruling on how race can be considered when drawing districts.
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“Florida got shortchanged in the 2020 Census, and we’ve been fighting for fair representation ever since,” DeSantis said in a statement, arguing the state’s current map no longer reflects its demographics.
Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives Daniel Perez said in a memorandum that the House has received DeSantis' proposed congressional map, and the House Select Committee on Redistricting will take up the governor’s proposal on Tuesday.
"We currently anticipate consideration of the map by the full House on Wednesday," Perez said.
Florida Senate President Ben Albritton also said the proposal will be considered by a Senate committee on Tuesday and told senators to be prepared for the proposal to go to the floor on Wednesday.
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The Florida proposal comes as Trump urges Republican-led states to redraw maps to counter Democratic gains elsewhere, including in Virginia, where voters recently approved a referendum allowing a new map that could favor Democrats. Florida is widely seen by both parties as a key front in the battle for control of the U.S. House.
Democrats and voting rights groups have criticized the plan as an unconstitutional power grab, warning it could weaken minority representation and trigger legal challenges. Mid-decade redistricting is rare, and Florida’s constitution includes anti-gerrymandering provisions that could complicate the effort.
If lawmakers approve the map, it would apply to the 2026 elections.
Republicans believe they could win up to nine more seats under revised districts in Texas, Missouri, North Carolina and Ohio. Democrats believe they could win as many as 10 additional seats under new districts in California, Utah and Virginia. Some states continue to face legal challenges to their redrawn maps.
There are currently 217 Republicans, 212 Democrats, one independent and five vacancies in the House of Representatives.
This article includes reporting by The Associated Press.
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