Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) unveiled a new congressional map in an effort to draw out four Democratic House seats less than a week after Virginia passed a referendum to draw out four GOP seats.
Under the new proposal, only four seats out of 28 would lean in favor of Democrats, according to the draft proposal.
The state legislature, which holds a Republican majority in both the state’s chambers, is set to return for a special session on Tuesday, when it will decide whether to approve the gerrymandering. The new map would then go to DeSantis’s desk to be signed into law for the 2026 elections.
“Florida got shortchanged in the 2020 census, and we’ve been fighting for fair representation ever since,” DeSantis told Fox News. “Our population has since grown dramatically, and we have moved from a Democrat majority to a 1.5 million Republican advantage. Drawing maps based on race, which is reflected in our current congressional districts, is unconstitutional and should be prohibited.”
The three Democrats whose seats would remain safe are Reps. Maxwell Frost (D-FL), Jared Moskowitz (R-FL), and Frederica Wilson (D-FL), along with a fourth seat previously held by former Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, who resigned last week amid scandals.
“Look, I think the governor and the legislature are going to do what’s right on behalf of the voters of Florida, and at the end of the day, it’s going to make sure Florida is well represented here on Capitol Hill,” Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL), who is running to be the Sunshine State’s next governor, told the Washington Examiner last week.
Just last week, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) warned DeSantis and House Republicans to “F around and find out” if they redraw Florida’s congressional map.
“Please,” DeSantis said in response to Jeffries’ warning. “Be my guest. I will pay for you to come down to Florida to campaign. I’ll put you up in the Florida governor’s mansion. We’ll take you fishing.”
While Jeffries warned Florida Republicans against it, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) shared his support.
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This comes as redistricting wars have spread across the country since the Texas legislature approved a Trump-backed redistricting effort last year, leading to many other states to follow suit.
The Washington Examiner reached out to DeSantis’s office for comment.