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He doubled down on that message, framing the effort as a promise kept to voters who expect districts to reflect today’s demographics rather than outdated numbers.
“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,” he added.
Currently, Florida’s congressional delegation leans heavily Republican, with 20 GOP members compared to seven Democrats. One Democratic seat remains unfilled after the departure of a former lawmaker, adding another layer of uncertainty as the state prepares for potential changes.
The timing of this push is no coincidence. Across the country, redistricting battles are intensifying, with both parties maneuvering to secure an edge. In Virginia, voters recently approved a constitutional amendment that opens the door for lawmakers to redraw congressional districts, a move widely expected to favor Democrats.
That development drew immediate praise from Abigail Spanberger, who framed the vote as a pushback against Republican influence at the national level.
“Virginia voters have spoken, and tonight they approved a temporary measure to push back against a President who claims he is ‘entitled’ to more Republican seats in Congress,” Spanberger said. “Virginians watched other states go along with those demands without voter input — and we refused to let that stand. We responded the right way: at the ballot box.”
The measure passed narrowly, signaling just how divided the electorate remains. If projections hold, Democrats could dominate the state’s delegation, potentially capturing 10 of 11 seats.
Sources close to the Florida proposal maintain that DeSantis’ plan was not crafted as retaliation for moves in Virginia or elsewhere. Instead, they argue it reflects long-term planning tied to population shifts within the state.
“The governor has been planning this long before what took place in Virginia, and continues to be adamant that Floridians deserve fair representation that accurately reflects the state’s changing population and demographics,” a source told Fox News.
Meanwhile, out west in California, Democrats have also made aggressive moves through new redistricting measures that could further tilt the playing field in their favor. Early projections suggest they could expand their already sizable advantage in Congress, raising concerns among Republicans about an uneven national landscape.
Back in Washington, Democratic leadership has wasted no time firing back. Hakeem Jeffries delivered a blunt warning aimed directly at Florida Republicans.
“Our message to Florida Republicans is F around and find out,” Jeffries said. “If they go down the road of a DeSantis dummymander, the Florida Republicans are gonna find themselves in the same situation as Texas Republicans, who are on the run right now.
“Under no circumstances are Texas Republicans picking up five seats. They’ll be fortunate if they get two or three. While in California, we are going to get all five,” he added.
DeSantis responded with characteristic confidence, even inviting Jeffries to bring the fight directly to Florida.
“Please. Be my guest. I will pay for you to come down to Florida to campaign,” DeSantis said. “I’ll put you up in the Florida governor’s mansion. We will take you fishing.”
“We’ll do all this stuff. There’s nothing that could be better for Republicans in Florida than to see Jeffries, Hakeem Jeffries, everywhere around this state,” he added.
Republican leadership in Congress is also lining up behind Florida’s effort. Mike Johnson emphasized that states have the authority to redraw their own districts and suggested Florida is simply exercising that right.
“Florida has the right and the intention to do it. And my view is that they should,” Johnson said.
As both parties dig in, the fight over district lines is quickly becoming one of the most consequential political battles heading into 2026. With control of Congress hanging by a thread, every seat matters, and every map could decide the outcome.
