Tampa, Florida — Gov. Ron DeSantis acknowledged Monday that Florida Republicans may not capture all four congressional seats their newly redrawn map was designed to put within reach, citing a more difficult national political environment heading into November.
“This year they’re winnable, but I think that it’s going to require some effort,” DeSantis said during an appearance in Tampa.
Florida Republicans adopted the new congressional map this spring after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a key Voting Rights Act provision. The map significantly shifted four Democratic-held districts toward Republicans and could expand the GOP’s current 20-seat advantage in Florida’s 28-member House delegation. Reuters reported after last week’s primaries that the map could potentially produce four additional Republican seats.
The most dramatic changes affect Reps. Kathy Castor and Darren Soto. Soto’s district moved from one Kamala Harris carried by about 3.5 points in 2024 to one Donald Trump won by nearly 18 points. Castor’s longtime Democratic-leaning Tampa district now favored Trump by about 10 points.
DeSantis said the political climate differs from 2022, when Republicans gained four Florida seats after the state’s previous redistricting. He noted that midterm elections can become nationalized and acknowledged Republicans may face political headwinds this year.
Democrats and voting-rights organizations have challenged the new map under Florida’s Fair Districts Amendments, arguing it was drawn to favor Republicans. The Florida Supreme Court declined to block its use before the election, but the underlying lawsuit remains pending.
Sources
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