Ron DeSantis Congressional Map Draws Sharply Divided Reactions Ahead Of Special Session

By Jeese Mendoza

A newly unveiled congressional map from Gov. Ron DeSantis that could dismantle multiple Democratic strongholds is prompting swift reaction from elected officials and political groups ahead of a looming Special Session.

The proposal, released ahead of lawmakers’ return to Tallahassee, would significantly reshape Florida’s congressional landscape. Early analysis shows the map could threaten four Democratic-held seats while reconfiguring districts across Central and South Florida, breaking apart some existing political strongholds.

The map appears to threaten four Democratic seats, including a Tampa seat held by U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, a Central Florida seat held by U.S. Rep. Darren Soto, a South Florida seat that could displace U.S. Rep. Jared Moskowitz, and a district in South Florida previously represented by former U.S. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick.

“It’s illegal, and a waste of time and taxpayer dollars, but Republicans appear dead set on rigging elections,” Castor said in a statement. “Republican policies are not popular because they are driving higher costs, more expensive health care and an affordability crisis for hardworking Floridians.”

Castor said the map violates the Fair Districts standard approved by voters in 2010.

“That mandate was clear: draw maps that respect communities—not divide them for political gain. Floridians deserve free and fair elections and a lower cost of living. But instead of focusing on bringing costs down, Governor DeSantis and President Trump are doubling down on policies that have driven prices up and are now trying to divide our communities to hold onto power. Governor DeSantis is choosing political favor with President Trump over protecting Floridian’s constitutional rights and their economic well-being. It’s a reckless and extraordinary abuse of power that undermines both our Constitution and the trust voters place in their leaders,” Castor said.

“No matter how new districts are drawn, I will keep fighting for Tampa Bay families—just as I always have—to lower their cost of living, take on the drivers of higher prices and improve their lives.”

Lawmakers are expected to take up the proposal during a Special Session beginning Tuesday, setting the stage for a high-stakes debate from both sides of the aisle. The map also targets districts long considered protected under the federal Voting Rights Act, setting up potential legal and political challenges that some legislators are already publicly vowing to pursue.

“The DeSantis Dummymander blatantly violates Florida’s Fair Districts Amendment banning partisan gerrymandering. It also violates the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution by nakedly targeting communities of color. See you in Court,” U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said.

Orlando Democratic U.S. Rep. Darren Soto said the maps violate state law.

“Gerrymander or Dummymander? This map is an absolutely unlawful violation of the Florida Constitution. The Legislature should reject it. The courts should strike it down. That being said, there are 12+ seats that Democrats could still win under this map in this cycle,” Soto said in a statement.

“The Legislature should follow the law. Yet, despite empty talk about ‘taking back’ power, both Republican-led chambers of the Legislature continue to do the governor’s bidding on bended knee. This is wrong. I look forward to the illegal DeSantis Dummymander getting overturned.”

Florida House Democratic Leader Fentrice Driskell spoke about the redistricting effort during a news conference Monday afternoon.

“More equitable representation was never the goal,” Driskell said. “Our team has started to crunch the data and we believe that it bears what we all know to be true, the quiet part out loud, that this is a partisan gerrymander.”

Fort Lauderdale Democratic state Rep. Daryl Campbell said the maps should be thrown out in court.

“The maps sent by the Governor are illegal partisan gerrymanders that will be laughed out of any serious courtroom. The Florida Constitution bans partisan gerrymandering, but Ron DeSantis believes he and Donald Trump are above the law. Now, because Donald Trump started a fight he can’t win, Floridians are in danger of losing fair representation,” Campbell said in a statement.

Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried said the “hyperpartisan” map was “drawn explicitly at the request of Donald Trump.”

“Ron DeSantis didn’t draw this map for Florida, he drew them for the only Floridian he cares about: Donald Trump. He would willfully break the law and screw over the people of Florida for a morsel of relevance,” Fried said in a statement.

“Today’s map shows nothing but craven contempt for the voters. No one wants this; not the voters, not the legislature. There has been bipartisan opposition to this process for months. No matter what Ron does to try to rig the game, we will fight back.”

Brice Barns, a candidate for Florida’s 2nd Congressional District, accused DeSantis of treating the state constitution as “merely a suggestion.”

“This is an illegal attempt to ignore the 60% of Florida voters who demanded fair and nonpartisan districts,” Barns said.

“Right now, families in the Panhandle are sitting at their kitchen tables wondering how to afford skyrocketing property insurance and rising grocery bills. They need a government focused on bringing down costs. I am running for Congress to bring that exact focus to Washington. It is time to end the political theater and start delivering results that actually lower costs for the people of North Florida.”

National Democratic Redistricting Committee President John Bisognano called redistricting efforts an “unconstitutional gerrymander.”

“If DeSantis forces this unconstitutional gerrymander forward in Florida, it won’t be because the voters asked him to,” Bisognano said in a statement. “Republicans will only have themselves to blame when they face resistance in the courtroom and at the ballot box for this egregious power grab.”

All Voting is Local Action Florida State Director Brad Ashwell said the maps go against directives approved by voters in 2010.

“It is clear that the end goal in this state is to redraw maps in order to give one party an advantage over another, essentially putting partisan politics over the voters. What’s even more egregious is that this move is in direct conflict with the fair districts ballot amendments these same voters approved by a supermajority in 2010, meaning our governor and lawmakers are directly undermining our state Constitution and the will of the voters,” Ashwell said in a statement.

“This move is unnecessary, illegal, and a power grab, and it takes away time from addressing real issues, like passing a state budget, which hasn’t happened yet.”

Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Executive Director Julie Merz said redistricting efforts are a reaction to mounting election day losses that have stacked up during recent elections.

“Since day one of the Republican scheme to rig the midterms, the public has repeatedly demonstrated that they hate it when politicians try to choose their voters, subverting the will of the people. It’s clear Republicans haven’t learned a thing, choosing to move forward with a corrupt partisan power grab that violates Florida’s strict prohibition of partisan gerrymanders,” Merz said.

“Republicans are doing this because they know they have lost the support of the American people, and with it, the midterms.”

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Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics contributed to this report.