Photo: Alamy
The Florida Senate has approved a new congressional map proposed by Gov. Ron DeSantis that could expand the Republican advantage in the state’s U.S. House delegation ahead of the midterm elections.
State senators passed the plan in a 21-17 vote, with four Republicans joining Democrats in opposition. The Florida House of Representatives had already approved the map earlier in the day by an 83-28 vote.
Florida’s current congressional delegation includes 20 Republicans and seven Democrats, with one Democrat-leaning seat vacant following the resignation of former Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick.
The proposed map would reshape several districts, including those in Tampa, Orlando and parts of the southeast coast, areas that have traditionally leaned Democratic. Lawmakers say the changes could result in Republicans gaining up to four additional seats.
The votes came shortly after the Supreme Court of the United States narrowed a provision of the Voting Rights Act regarding the creation of majority-minority districts. At least one district affected by the new map had previously been majority-Hispanic.
“Called this one months ago,” DeSantis posted to X. “The decision implicates a district in FL — the legal infirmities of which have been corrected in the newly-drawn (and soon to be enacted) map.”
Critics of the plan argue it could conflict with Florida’s Fair Districts Amendment, which sets standards intended to prevent partisan gerrymandering. Some Republican members of Congress have also raised concerns that redrawing districts could make certain GOP-held seats more competitive.
The move in Florida is part of a broader national redistricting effort, with states such as Texas, Missouri, North Carolina, and Ohio making changes that could benefit Republicans, while others, including California and Virginia, have pursued maps expected to favor Democrats. The outcome of these efforts could play a significant role in determining control of the U.S. House in the next election cycle.
