TALHASSEE, Fla. (WFLA) – President Donald Trump is tapping GOP-led states to redraw maps of Congressional districts ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
Texas has already called on state lawmakers to act, but now the question is, will Gov. Ron DeSantis do the same?
Although it is usually rezoned once every 10 years, lawmakers may be preparing the GOP to turn their eyes to at least one democratic legislative seat in the Tampa Bay area and redraw the state’s legislative map earlier than expected.
If the governor chooses to do so, it is not the first time Desantis has called for lawmakers and returned to Tallahassee to redraw the district’s map.
In 2022, Desantis rejected a GOP-led map, recalled everyone for a special session, and passed a district line of his preference.
Now, three years from now, the state legislature could already clash with a reappearance.
As the topic around the idea continues to grow, your 8 on your side asked the governor at a press conference in Manatee County if he plans to call lawmakers to redraw the map.
“I think it would be appropriate to rezone in the midterm going forward. We’re working through what it looks like, but seeing how populations have changed in different parts of the state over the four to five years period, it was really important,” Desantis said.
But state Democrats say they have not yet released new numbers on population growth.
“The nation is not given numbers. The governor is not given numbers, so this is him in the soapbox talking about this fictional issue. If this is real, then if they’re within their movements and the changes in population, then they won’t do legislative maps,” said Florida Democratic Chairman Nikki Fried.
However, DeSantis said he spoke with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and asked him to do a recount, hoping he could be prepared in time for 2026.
“It’s usually a one-to-two-year process of redrawing the line, holding committee hearings, having public opinion and doing so before the 2026 midterm elections.”
8 Your side sat in Newsom and asked her if this move would support Republicans.
“Aside from diverting the state legislature from kitchen table topics like education, healthcare, property taxes, household insurance, what would benefit DeSantis if he did this? He questioned Newsom.
Do Florida voters want this? And can the governor get on parliament after the tension we saw during the final session?
