Florida's Mid-Decade Redistricting Push Ahead of 2026 Midterms

Florida’s Republican-controlled Legislature will meet in a special session starting April 28 to consider a mid-decade redraw of its 28 congressional districts using 2020 census data; no draft map is public.

The Hill

The push follows a nationwide redistricting wave sparked by Trump’s 2023 Texas map and recent Democratic wins in Virginia’s referendum.

Fox News (website)

Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) cites population growth and a pending Supreme Court case. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) calls the plan a “dummy-mander.” Karl Rove warns it could cost GOP incumbents. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) backs it.

Newsmax (website)

Florida’s delegation is 20 Republicans to 8 Democrats. Jeffries targets eight GOP incumbents; eight Democratic districts are slated for redrawing. GOP analysts see a 2-3 seat gain, some say up to five.

The Hill

DeSantis frames the effort as a response to “population change.” Johnson says Florida “has the right… and I think that should happen.”

Newsmax (website)

Republicans cite Florida’s anti-gerrymandering clause; Lee, Luna, Salazar, Webster warn backfire. Democrats, led by Jeffries and Driskell, deem it unconstitutional.

The Hill

GOP gain estimates vary (2-3 vs. up to 5). No map released; Virginia referendum blocked.

Fox News (website)

Adding 2-3 Republican seats could preserve the GOP’s 217-213 House edge and test Florida’s anti-gerrymandering law.

Fox News (website)

The redistricting outcome could determine whether Republicans retain a slim House majority, influencing national legislative agendas and setting a legal precedent for mid-decade map changes in states with anti-gerrymandering provisions.

Newsmax (website)

The session starts April 28; lawmakers aim to draft a map before adjournment amid expected court challenges, and political observers will monitor the process.

The Hill

• “I will pay for you to come down to Florida and campaign. I’ll put you up in the Florida governor’s mansion. We’ll take you fishing.” — Ron DeSantis, Governor of Florida

CNN

• “Our message to Florida Republicans is, ‘F around and find out,’” — Hakeem Jeffries, House Minority Leader

The Hill

• “If Florida moves like it can, the Republicans will at least be even,” he continued. “But there’s a risk there, because what they’re going to do is they’re going to have to take Republican votes out of Republican districts and put them into Democrat districts.” — Karl Rove, Republican strategist

The Hill

• “Florida has the right, and they've expressed the interest of doing it there, and I think that should happen,” — Mike Johnson, Speaker of the U.S. House

Newsmax (website)

• “I think that we get into some dangerous territory if we’re seriously considering five.” — Kat Cammack, U.S. Representative from Florida

CNN