TALLAHASSEE, Florida — Gov. Ron DeSantis gave state legislators a new congressional map Monday that would sharply alter the congressional districts of several incumbents and could result in Republicans picking up as many as four extra seats.
DeSantis gave the map to lawmakers about 24 hours ahead of a special session during which the GOP-controlled Legislature is expected to approve the new lines and put them in place ahead of the 2026 midterms. Republicans already hold a 20-8 edge in the Sunshine State.
The new map makes significant changes to the districts held by four Democrats: Reps. Kathy Castor, Lois Frankel, Darren Soto and Debbie Wasserman Schultz. Castor is the top Democrat on the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy and a key voice on climate policy.
Florida is one of the final states moving ahead on mid-decade redistricting, a process kick-started last year by President Donald Trump and the White House. Debate over the efforts has heated up in recent weeks after Virginia voters approved Democrats’ effort to gerrymander the state — and with the midterm elections looming to determine control of the House.
