(The Center Square) – Florida is poised to flip four seats in the U.S. House of Representatives to Republican following Wednesday’s approval in a special session of the Legislature.
Second-term Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis’ plan was approved 21-17 by the Senate after an 83-28 breeze in the House of Representatives. Florida’s representation in the U.S. House is 20 Republicans, seven Democrats with one vacancy following the resignation of former Democratic Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick.
New maps have been redrawn and implemented for November’s midterms in five states, another has a change from litigation, and three more states remain tied up in courtrooms. A fourth state in litigation, Louisiana, learned its fate from the U.S. Supreme Court earlier on Wednesday.
Those six changes done have given a potential net gain of three seats to Republicans – a signature from DeSantis would bump it to seven. It all started last year when second-term Republican President Donald Trump encouraged Texans to redraw their maps, sparking a state to state domino effect from the two major parties.
DeSantis, speaking to a broadcast network, said the state “got shortchanged” in the decentennial census of 2020.
“Our population has since grown dramatically, and we have moved from a Democrat majority to a 1.5 million Republican advantage,” he said. “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.”
The U.S. House was divided 220 Republicans, 235 Democrats following the 2024 election cycle. Today, it’s 217 Republicans, 212 Democrats, one independent formerly Republican, and five vacancies.
The governor’s office says the redistricting was designed to adjust districts based on the state’s rapid population growth of the last few years. Race was not a factor in drawing the new lines, a representative from the governor’s office told legislators.
Critics called the move partisan gerrymandering. They said it violates a state constitutional amendment approved by voters in 2010 that outlaws redistricting for partisan purposes.
Opponents also complained that the new maps were leaked to Fox News before it was given to state legislators.
The new maps will eliminate two Democratic congressional seats in Broward County, Fort Lauderdale Democratic Sen. Rosalind Osgood said during floor debate Wednesday.
“What we are doing here today is not just, it’s not merciful, and it’s certainly not about being humble,” she said. “It’s about using power to gain more power.”
New maps are in play for the 2026 elections in California, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio and Texas. Litigation has also led to changes in Utah.
Virginia, Georgia and New York remain in litigation. The Supreme Court’s ruling announced Wednesday is expected to lead Louisiana to a new map for November. Maryland’s bid for new congressional maps died earlier this month.
California has the potential to flip five seats to Democrats for a 48-4 representation for the party and Utah one to Democrats cutting into Republicans’ 4-0 representation. For Republicans, Missouri (to 7-1) and North Carolina (to 11-3) could gain one seat each; Ohio two (to 12-3); and Texas five (to 30-7).
