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FLORIDA - Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is advocating for mid-decade redistricting to strengthen the Republican Party’s hold on congressional seats ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
DeSantis argued that Florida's current districts are "malapportioned," citing the state’s population growth since the last census.
The governor believes that redrawing districts between censuses is justified, especially given that Florida only gained one congressional seat despite significant population increases.
During a recent event in Bradenton, DeSantis said, “We got a raw deal on the census. We should have gotten at least two seats.”
He claimed that other states, with slower growth, received more representation, leaving Florida underrepresented.
This call for redistricting comes as other GOP-led states, including Texas, are considering similar moves to enhance their party's advantage in the upcoming elections.
Texas Republicans recently proposed a special legislative session to redraw their state’s congressional districts, and more states may follow suit.
At the same time, Democrats are opposing these efforts, arguing that mid-decade redistricting is a partisan power grab.
Former President Barack Obama is even headlining a fundraiser to push back against GOP-led redistricting in states like Texas and Ohio.
In Florida, DeSantis’s push follows a legal battle over the state’s congressional map, which was ultimately upheld by the state Supreme Court.
The map resulted in the GOP gaining four seats, helping Republicans regain control of the House in 2022.