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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - A newly proposed Florida congressional redistricting map – led by Governor Ron DeSantis – was passed by the Florida House and Senate.
Gov. Ron DeSantis unveiled a new redistricted congressional map for the state, FOX 35 reported on Monday, in which the GOP could gain four more seats.
In a vote on Wednesday, April 29, the new congressional district map passed with an 83-28 vote in the Florida House and 21-17 vote in the Florida Senate.
Why were maps redrawn?
What we know:
In Tallahassee, applause broke out as the vote on congressional redistricting passed in the House by 83 to 28 in favor of the map. In the Florida House, the map passed by a 21-17 vote.
This decision comes after DeSantis filed the congressional map proposal on Monday afternoon, April 27, for consideration during a special session. Rep. Anna Eskamani, D-Orlando, said the legislature didn't see the maps until after they were released to news outlets.
According to the memorandum filed, the proposal came in response to a population growth since the 2010 census, but resulted in Florida gaining only one House seat after the 2020 census.
In a statement to FOX News, DeSantis said, "Florida got shortchanged in the 2020 Census, and we’ve been fighting for fair representation ever since. 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."
"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 added.
Gov. Ron DeSantis unveiled a congressional redistricting map. (Source: Office of Gov. Ron DeSantis)
What districts are affected by the map?
Though the congressional redistricting affects the whole state, four key Democrat-led districts are affected.
- District 9: Rep. Darren Soto
- District 14: Rep. Kathy Castor
- District 23: Rep. Jared Moskowitz
- District 25: Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz
Florida currently has 27 representatives, with one vacant seat after Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, D-Fla. resigned on April 21 amid a pending criminal indictment.
Of the 27 current representatives, 20 are Republican and seven are held by Democrats.
The redistricting could cut the Democrat seats in half, leading to 24 GOP seats and four Democrat seats.
What they're saying:
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Fla. House advances Gov. DeSantis' redistricting maps
In an 83–28 vote, the Florida House of Representatives has advanced Governor Ron DeSantis’ proposed congressional redistricting maps. Amid debate on the Senate floor, State Representative Anna Eskamani joined FOX 35’s Garrett Wymer live via Zoom to weigh in on the decision and break down the controversial process behind the new lines.
Lt. Gov. Jay Collins
Lieutenant Gov. Jay Collins applauded the passing of the congressional maps, saying he had been in favor of the redrawing since day one, after Florida was "undercounted" in the 2022 census.
"I applaud Governor DeSantis for taking up this issue and doing the right thing to make sure all Floridians are represented equally and to put an end to racial gerrymandering," Collins said in a released statement.
House Speaker Mike Johnson
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., encouraged Florida’s redistricting attempt, saying that the state "has the right to do so," FOX News reported. "Florida has the right and the intention to do it. And my view is that they should," Johnson said last week.
Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus
In a released statement, Kristen Browde, President of the Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus, said, "This ruling (Louisiana v. Callais) – and the redrawing of Florida district lines both encourage racism and discrimination against all minority groups. It’s part of the right wing effort to maintain control at all costs, including by allowing manipulation of district lines to disenfranchise large groups of voters."
Florida Rep. Darren Soto
In a statement posted on X on April 27, after the new map was unveiled, Rep. Darren Soto called DeSantis' proposal an "unlawful violation of the Florida Constitution."
Florida Rep. Anna Eskamani
Rep. Anna Eskamani, D-Fla., voted against the congressional redistricting on Wednesday, calling the act "unprecedented" in the middle of the decade. Eskamani said the maps don't reflect the fair district amendments.
Eskamani pointed to Florida's redistricting laws, which prohibit the discrimination of racial and language minorities to elect representatives of their choice as well as prohibiting line-drawing that intentionally favors or disfavors a political party or an incumbent. The redrawing of the map, Eskamani said, "blatantly" ignores these rules.
Watch more: Rep. Anna Eskamani responds to passing of redrawn congressional maps
On the heels of the Supreme Court decision
The vote comes shortly after the U.S. Supreme Court released its decision regarding the Voting Rights Act application to redistricting in Louisiana v. Callais.
The Supreme Court responded to concerns that Louisiana's new map is an unconstitutional racial gerrymander. Louisiana redrew its congressional districts after its 2022 census – with an additional majority-black district after a federal judge said a map without the district likely violated the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
In a 6-3 ruling, the Supreme Court struck down Louisiana’s second majority Black congressional district in a decision that could open the door for Republican-led states to eliminate Black and Latino electoral districts that tend to favor Democrats.
"The United States Supreme Court's decision today in Louisiana v. Callais makes it clear that we have a Constitutional obligation to redraw the map fairly and represent the will of the people," Florida's Lt. Gov. Jay Collins said.
What's next:
The congressional map is now headed toward Gov. Ron DeSantis' desk.
The Source: Information in this story was gathered from the office of Gov. Ron DeSantis, coverage of House and Senate sessions and the U.S. Supreme Court.