TALHASSEE, Fla. (WFLA) – Gov. Ron DeSantis and Attorney General James Usmiere are fighting for the mid-census battle of the districts, so have they managed to target districts in the Tampa Bay area?
Political analyst Tara Newsom says there are many seats that Republicans are looking to turn around. One of them is the 14th Congressional District of US Cathy Caster, but Governor DeSantis has also been attracting attention in other areas, such as South Florida.
“I think north of I-4 is a pretty sound map. I don’t think there’s any basis for it. Once you enter the center, you start to get questions, especially southeast Florida,” Gov. DeSantis said.
Florida currently has 28 seats in Congress, 20 of which are occupied by Republicans. And as Texas and California deal with a showdown rezoning, will Florida be next?
“Republicans can really connect more Congressional districts than the 20 people they already hold in Florida. I think chasing Tampa Bay is a real problem because we’re way too calm, centristic and too many Democrats and moderate Republicans living in the area.”
The state already has the governor and attorney general on board to redraw Florida’s congressional map. Senate Speaker Ben Albritton says he can be sure, and House Speaker Danny Perez plans to take up the issue that will come in October.
However, Florida Democrats on the Capitol and within Capitol Hill have expressed concern.
“Republicans are worried about losing Congress in Congress next year. So what will they do? They are trying to change the rules of the middle class of the game. It’s not fair. It’s not right. It’s angering voters.
The district of Congressman Caster could be on the Republican radar, and newly appointed Governor Jay Collins could be persuaded to run if the map is redrawn.
“It’s worth noting that Jay Collins has one eyeball in the Congressional run potential and the governor’s mansion. It’ll be really interesting to see how it plays out more about Governor DeSantis than about Jay Collins,” Newm said.
With the buzz around Lt. Col. Jay Collins’ political future already upsetting, political analysts say they may have a better shot that beat Florida voters in the 2026 governor’s race.
