Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries escalated their public confrontation over congressional redistricting, with DeSantis inviting the New York congressman to campaign in Florida while Jeffries warned of a massive Democratic counter-offensive targeting vulnerable Republican House seats.
Redistricting Battle Intensifies
The war of words erupted ahead of next week’s special legislative session called by DeSantis to redraw Florida’s congressional maps. Republicans currently control 20 of Florida’s 28 House seats, but DeSantis aims to create additional conservative-leaning districts. Jeffries attacked the move as a “dummymander” and vowed Democrats would expand their list of Florida Republicans to target. “Our message to Florida Republicans is, ‘F around and find out,'” Jeffries told reporters, arguing the redistricting could backfire on GOP incumbents.
DeSantis fired back with a taunt that revealed his confidence in Florida’s rightward shift. “Please. Be my guest. I will pay for you to come down to Florida to campaign,” the governor said. “I’ll put you up in the Florida governor’s mansion. We will take you fishing.” The challenge came after DeSantis stated on Wednesday that nothing would benefit Florida Republicans more than seeing Jeffries campaign across the Sunshine State.
National Redistricting War Expands
Florida represents the latest front in a nationwide redistricting battle between President Trump’s Republican Party and Democrats fighting to reclaim House control. Trump first proposed mid-decade redistricting last spring to prevent a repeat of 2018 when Democrats flipped the House during his first term. Texas already moved to create five additional Republican seats, prompting Democratic lawmakers to flee the state for two weeks in protest. California voters responded by passing Proposition 50 in November, returning map-drawing power to the Democratic legislature to create five new left-leaning districts.
Legal Obstacles Ahead
DeSantis faces significant hurdles in his redistricting push. Florida’s constitution explicitly prohibits drawing maps for partisan advantage, and Republicans already redrew district lines four years ago. Virginia’s recent passage of a redistricting referendum that transfers power from a nonpartisan commission to the Democrat-controlled legislature has increased pressure on DeSantis to act. Jeffries warned that “the electoral tide is turning in Florida,” citing recent special legislative election setbacks for Republicans. Both parties are racing to maximize their advantages before this year’s midterm elections, where Republicans will defend their razor-thin House majority.