Photo: Alamy
Virginia Democrats are expected to flip four U.S. House seats after voters narrowly adopted a measure eliminating all but one Republican-held congressional district.
Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis is now directing an effort to counteract Virginia’s gerrymander, calling for a special session this week to explore whether the Sunshine State could redraw its own congressional districts.
“Today, I announced that I will be convening a special session of the Legislature focused on redistricting to ensure that Florida’s congressional maps accurately reflect the population of our state,” DeSantis said in a January announcement, emphasizing changing demographics in Florida.
If passed, Florida would have the opportunity to redraw at least three or four new Republican seats, increasing GOP odds of maintaining control of the House in the 2026 midterms.
Democrats have portrayed their gerrymandering efforts as retaliatory and warned that Republicans were curtailing their own support in some areas due to redrawing efforts of their own, attracting challenges in non-competitive areas.
Democrat Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York believes this could happen in Florida and Texas.
“Our message to Florida Republicans is, ‘F around and find out,’” Jeffries told reporters on Wednesday.
“Under no circumstances are Texas Republicans picking up five seats,” he added. “They’ll be fortunate if they get two or three, while in California we are going to get all five.”
DeSantis blasted the leader’s remarks, stating that Jeffries’ involvement would surely tip the scales towards Republicans.
“Please. Be my guest. I will pay for you to come down to Florida to campaign,” he countered. “I’ll put you up in the Florida governor’s mansion. We will take you fishing.”
DeSantis added, “There’s nothing that could be better for Republicans in Florida than to see Jeffries everywhere around this state.”
Florida’s potential adoption would undo Virginia’s vote. The commonwealth currently consists of six Democratic seats and five Republican seats. The new measure will likely give Democrats 10 of the 11 House seats, while Republicans would receive one.
