Florida legislature approves map to bolster Republican congressional seats

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — The Florida Legislature approved a new congressional map intended to maximize Republicans' advantage in the state as part of the national redistricting battle that President Donald Trump launched ahead of this year's midterms. The vote came just two days after Gov. Ron DeSantis unveiled his proposal and the same day that the U.S. Supreme Court rolled back a key provision of the Voting Rights Act. DeSantis' map could increase Republicans' advantage in Florida's House delegation to 24 to 4, up from the current split of 20 to 8.

Florida Republicans, comfortable in their supermajority in both legislative chambers, said little about the new districts during the whirlwind special session. The measure's sponsor, Rep. Jenna Persons-Mulicka, R-Fort Myers, stated, "I believe that there is a likelihood that that map will be upheld against legal challenge." Opposition was vocal but futile, with Democrats and activists decrying the process as a partisan power play to satisfy Trump and bolster DeSantis' ambitions.

The new map reshapes districts in Democratic areas around Orlando, Tampa-St. Petersburg, and south Florida, potentially costing Democratic incumbents their seats. DeSantis and his aides argued that the map is necessary to account for population growth in suburban areas since the 2020 census. The proposal presumes the outcome of the U.S. Supreme Court's decision, which struck down a Louisiana congressional district drawn for a majority Black electorate.

Lawmakers fast-tracked the measures, limiting public input during the special session. Rep. Michele Rayner, D-St. Petersburg, criticized the process, stating, "Y'all are doing this because y'all's daddy in the White House is injecting national political objectives into what should be a state-driven process." The new map could face legal challenges, especially given Florida's constitutional prohibition against partisan redistricting.

The changes could lead to a more significant Republican majority in Congress, but some Republicans expressed concern about potential backlash against Trump and the implications for upcoming elections. The governor's push for additional legislative measures on artificial intelligence and vaccine mandates was sidelined during the session, highlighting internal divisions within the party.

What to watch: The upcoming legal challenges to the new congressional map and their potential impact on the midterm elections.