Trending Now - Florida's New Congressional Map May Shift Power to GOP

WHO:

IJR - Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis unveiled a newly drawn congressional map that could hand Republicans a major advantage.

Alternet - Peter Schorsch, publisher of Florida Politics, stated, "Certifiably insane to eliminate Democrat representation out of purple-as-a-plum Tampa Bay."

Alternet - Rep. Darren Soto (D-FL) commented on X, "Gerrymander or Dummymander? This map is an absolutely unlawful violation of the Florida Constitution."

NBC News - Evan Power is the chair of the Republican Party of Florida.

Fox News - House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries stated, "I don’t give a damn" when asked about his "maximum warfare" rhetoric against Republicans.

Fox News - Jeffries referred to the proposed congressional map as a "DeSantis dummymander" and called it "blatantly unconstitutional."

ABC News - House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., challenged Florida Republicans regarding their special session.

ABC News - Brian Ballard, a Florida lobbyist and top fundraiser for DeSantis, commented on the governor's capabilities in redistricting.

Alternet - Peter Schorsch stated, "Another fascinating dynamic... Could see Gruters moving south to the new CD 17."

Alternet - Rep. Darren Soto (D-FL) commented on X, "There are 12+ seats that Democrats could still win under this map in this cycle."

Alternet - Peter Schorsch stated, "This will backfire," regarding the new congressional map.

Alternet - A Florida-based Republican consultant expressed concerns about diluting strong Republican districts to create new ones.

Alternet - Peter Schorsch, publisher of Florida Politics, stated that the map is "certifiably insane to eliminate Democrat representation out of purple-as-a-plum Tampa Bay."

Alternet - Karl Rove, a long-time Republican strategist, expressed concerns that the new maps could risk losing seats for incumbent Republicans.

IJR - Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis unveiled a newly drawn congressional map.

Alternet - Political expert Peter Schorsch criticized the map, calling it "certifiably insane."

Alternet - Rep. Darren Soto (D-FL) commented on the map, calling it an "absolutely unlawful violation of the Florida Constitution."

Alternet - Florida state Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith criticized the process of sharing the map with Fox News before state senators.

NPR - Evan Power is the chair of the Republican Party of Florida.

WHAT:

NBC News - DeSantis' proposed map aims for a Republican advantage of 24 to 4, compared to the current 20 to 8 Republican tilt.

NPR - The proposed map could help Republicans win four additional seats in the U.S. House this November.

AP News - The current maps yielded a 20 to 8 Republican tilt in 2024. DeSantis' version would aim for an advantage of 24 to 4.

Fox News - Jeffries vowed to unleash "maximum warfare" on the GOP in response to their redistricting efforts ahead of the midterm elections.

Fox News - Jeffries criticized the proposed map, asserting it would not make a meaningful difference in the midterm elections.

ABC News - DeSantis' proposed map aims for a Republican advantage of 24 to 4, compared to the current 20 to 8 Republican tilt.

ABC News - The proposed map could potentially cost Reps. Jared Moskowitz and Debbie Wasserman Schultz their seats.

NBC News - The proposed map is described as an "aggressive proposal" by DeSantis.

NPR - The map, if adopted, would create 24 Republican-leaning and four Democratic-leaning districts.

NBC News - The proposed map aims to create four new GOP-leaning seats in Florida.

NPR - The new map could help Republicans win four additional seats in the U.S. House this November.

NPR - DeSantis stated, "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."

NPR - The proposed map would create 24 Republican-leaning and four Democratic-leaning districts, with one seat recently becoming vacant due to a Democratic lawmaker's resignation.

NBC News - DeSantis released a proposed redraw of Florida’s congressional lines that could create four new GOP-leaning seats.

NPR - The proposed map would create 24 Republican-leaning and four Democratic-leaning districts.

NPR - Currently, Florida is represented by 20 Republicans and seven Democrats, with one seat recently becoming vacant.

Alternet - The special session called by DeSantis is expected to vote on the new maps on Tuesday.

WHERE:

NBC News - The congressional map pertains to the state of Florida.

NPR - The map targets Democratic seats in the southeast corner of Florida and the Tampa Bay area.

WHEN:

Alternet - The special session called by DeSantis is expected to vote on the new maps on Tuesday.

ABC News - The special legislative session is set to start on Tuesday.

NPR - The special legislative session is set to start on Tuesday.

NPR - DeSantis originally called for lawmakers to meet on April 20 but delayed the session by a week.

WHY:

NBC News - DeSantis aims to challenge anti-gerrymandering language in the state constitution with the new map.

AP News - DeSantis argued that the 2020 census shortchanged the state's population, making it necessary to redraw the lines.

ABC News - DeSantis argues that the 2020 census shortchanged Florida's population, necessitating the redrawing of congressional lines.

NPR - The redistricting effort is part of a strategy to secure more seats for Republicans ahead of the midterm elections, as President Trump initiated a mid-decade redistricting race.

NPR - Nikki Fried, chair of the Florida Democratic Party, called the redistricting effort "unconstitutional gerrymandering," suggesting it could ultimately benefit Democratic candidates.

NBC News - DeSantis aims to challenge anti-gerrymandering language in the state constitution with the new map.

NPR - The redistricting effort is part of a broader strategy to secure more seats for Republicans ahead of the midterm elections.

HOW:

NBC News - DeSantis has included easing school vaccine requirements and applying guardrails to some uses of artificial intelligence products as part of the agenda for the special legislative session.

Fox News - Jeffries defended his rhetoric by referencing a report from The New York Times that used similar language from a White House staffer.

ABC News - DeSantis plans to include regulations for artificial intelligence and loosen vaccine requirements in the special session agenda.

NPR - DeSantis has included easing school vaccine requirements and applying guardrails to some uses of artificial intelligence products as part of the agenda for the special legislative session.

NPR - DeSantis suggested that the state could be "forced" to redraw districts due to racial preferences in the current map favoring minority communities, contingent on a U.S. Supreme Court ruling on the federal Voting Rights Act.

NPR - DeSantis has included easing school vaccine requirements and applying guardrails to some uses of artificial intelligence products as part of the agenda for the special legislative session.

NPR - DeSantis has called lawmakers to a special legislative session to discuss the new map.

Alternet - The map was shared with Fox News before being presented to state senators, indicating a partisan approach to the redistricting process.

(UPDATED April 28, 2026 17:28 UTC)

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has unveiled a newly drawn congressional map that could give Republicans a significant advantage, aiming for a 24 to 4 split compared to the current 20 to 8 Republican tilt. The proposed map is set to be voted on during a special session on Tuesday, and it has drawn criticism from Democrats, with Rep. Darren Soto calling it an unlawful violation of the Florida Constitution. DeSantis argues that the map is necessary due to the 2020 census shortchanging the state's population, and he is also pushing for changes to school vaccine requirements and regulations on artificial intelligence during this legislative session.

(UPDATED April 28, 2026 13:26 UTC)

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has declared he will unleash "maximum warfare" on the GOP in response to their redistricting efforts, stating, "I don’t give a damn" when pressed about his rhetoric. He criticized the proposed congressional map as a "DeSantis dummymander," calling it "blatantly unconstitutional" and arguing it won't significantly impact the upcoming midterm elections. Jeffries defended his strong language by referencing a report from The New York Times that echoed similar sentiments from a White House staffer.

(UPDATED April 28, 2026 05:54 UTC)

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries challenged Florida Republicans regarding their upcoming special session, which is set to begin on Tuesday. Governor DeSantis has proposed a new congressional map that aims for a Republican advantage of twenty-four to four, a significant shift from the current twenty to eight tilt, potentially jeopardizing the seats of Representatives Jared Moskowitz and Debbie Wasserman Schultz. In addition to redistricting, DeSantis plans to address regulations for artificial intelligence and loosen vaccine requirements during the session.

(UPDATED April 28, 2026 01:28 UTC)

The proposed redistricting map, described as an "aggressive proposal" by DeSantis, aims to create 24 Republican-leaning and four Democratic-leaning districts, part of a strategy to secure more seats for Republicans ahead of the midterm elections, which President Trump initiated. Rep. Darren Soto commented on X that there are still over twelve seats that Democrats could potentially win under this new map. Additionally, DeSantis has outlined plans for the special legislative session that include easing school vaccine requirements and implementing guardrails on certain uses of artificial intelligence products.

(UPDATED April 27, 2026 23:15 UTC)

A proposed congressional map in Florida aims to create four new GOP-leaning seats, which could help Republicans secure additional victories in the U.S. House this November. However, concerns have been raised by a Florida-based Republican consultant about the potential dilution of strong Republican districts in this redistricting effort, which President Trump initiated as part of a strategy for the midterm elections. Governor DeSantis has indicated that the state might need to redraw districts based on racial preferences in the current map, pending a ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court on the federal Voting Rights Act.

(UPDATED April 27, 2026 21:20 UTC)

Governor DeSantis has unveiled a new redistricting map for 2026, claiming it fulfills his promise for mid-decade adjustments and better reflects Florida's current demographics. The proposed map would create 24 Republican-leaning districts and four Democratic-leaning ones, following a recent vacancy from a Democratic lawmaker's resignation, while some, like Peter Schorsch, argue it unfairly eliminates Democratic representation in Tampa Bay. Nikki Fried, chair of the Florida Democratic Party, has criticized the effort as "unconstitutional gerrymandering," raising concerns about its potential impact on future elections.

(UPDATED April 27, 2026 19:21 UTC)

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has unveiled a newly drawn congressional map that aims to create four additional GOP-leaning seats, shifting the balance to 24 Republican-leaning and four Democratic-leaning districts. Political expert Peter Schorsch has criticized the map as "certifiably insane," while Rep. Darren Soto described it as an "absolutely unlawful violation of the Florida Constitution," highlighting concerns over the process that allowed Fox News to see the map before state senators. A special legislative session is set to begin on Tuesday, where lawmakers will vote on this controversial redistricting effort, which DeSantis hopes will challenge anti-gerrymandering language in the state constitution.