Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis proposes new congressional map
by Joe Fisher · UPIApril 27 (UPI) -- Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis unveiled his proposal for a new congressional map on Monday ahead of the state legislature convening a special session.
Lawmakers will begin the special session on Tuesday to consider a congressional redistricting proposal that is expected to give Republicans an advantage in an additional four districts in November's midterms.
If passed, Florida would have 24 districts that historically lean toward the Republican Party and four that lean toward the Democratic Party. The state is currently represented in Congress by 20 Republicans and seven Democrats.
"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 said in a Fox News interview.
The redistricting proposal puts Florida among several that have taken on mid-decade redistricting efforts. Texas Republicans adopted a new congressional map last year, causing California and other Democrat-led states to respond with similar measures.
Last week, voters in Virginia approved a redistricting plan that is expected to favor Democrats in congressional races.
DeSantis has urged that Florida's population has changed since 2020. The state constitution restricts partisan gerrymandering.
The sponsor of the bill to redistrict in the Florida statehouse, Republican Sen. Don Gaetz, said he expects a Senate committee vote on the bill Tuesday.
The U.S. Supreme Court is considering a redistricting case based out of Louisiana, Louisiana vs. Callais, which could have broader implications on partisan gerrymandering.
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President Donald Trump speaks during a Health Care Affordability event in the Oval Office at the White House on Thursday. Trump announced announced a new drug price deal with Regeneron. Photo by Will Oliver/UPI | License Photo