DeSantis Unveils New Florida House Map Aiming to Flip Four Democratic Seats

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has proposed a new map for U.S. House districts that aims to give Republicans a significant advantage in four seats currently held by Democrats. The proposal was released just one day before the Florida Legislature is set to open a special session to address redistricting.

The new map specifically targets Democratic-held seats in the southeastern corner of the state, as well as a Tampa-area district currently represented by Rep. Kathy Castor. This move is part of a broader national redistricting effort that has seen both parties aggressively redrawing lines to secure future electoral gains.

Republican leadership in the Florida Legislature has indicated they will proceed with the Governor’s proposal rather than drafting an independent map. State Senator Don Gaetz, who is sponsoring the legislation in the Senate, noted that the map could be enacted within days, with a key committee vote scheduled for Tuesday.

Currently, Republicans hold 20 of Florida’s 28 U.S. House seats. If this map is approved, Democrats could be left with an advantage in only four seats across the entire state. While some GOP lawmakers have expressed concern that an aggressive redraw might risk safe Republican districts, party leaders remain focused on maximizing their advantage.

The DeSantis administration argues that population changes since the 2020 census and shifting legal precedents justify the mid-decade redraw. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and other Democrats have criticized the move, labeling it a partisan gerrymander, though their legal options may be limited given the GOP supermajority in Tallahassee. The special session is slated to end Friday.

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