TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis unveiled his proposal for new congressional maps on Monday.

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Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis unveiled his proposal for new congressional maps on Monday

The reveal comes as lawmakers in Tallahassee prepare for a special session geared toward considering and voting on that map

If approved, the new map could potentially give Republicans an advantage in Florida’s U.S. House races this November

The potential redraw most notably shifts the borders of congressional districts largely in Orlando, Tampa and South Florida

The reveal comes as lawmakers in Tallahassee prepare for a special session geared toward considering and voting on that map. If approved, the new map could potentially give Republicans an advantage in Florida’s U.S. House races this November.

Mid-decade redistricting is unprecedented ahead of an election in Florida. And when it is done, it’s typically a process led by lawmakers themselves.

But DeSantis is forging ahead with new congressional maps, and he’s daring anyone, even the leading Democrat in the U.S. House of Representatives, to try him.

“Please be my guest. I will pay for you to come down to Florida and campaign,” DeSantis said.

The proposed map could potentially help the GOP win as many as four additional seats in Florida.

The state maps as proposed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. (Office of the Governor)

It’s an effort that is making waves in Washington and could draw a legal challenge.

“Our message to Florida Republicans is: f around and find out,” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said.

Last year, President Donald Trump urged GOP states to redraw congressional maps ahead of the November 2026 midterms.

Since then, a number of states, some led by Republicans and others led by Democrats, have responded, with control of the U.S. House at stake.

“It’s plain as day. It’s clear that the only reason these new maps for Congress are being redrawn mid-decade are for partisan reasons,” UCF political science professor Aubrey Jewett said.

Up for debate is Florida’s Fair Districts amendment. It was approved by voters in 2010, and it bans partisan gerrymandering.

Republicans argue that the law no longer applies.

“The Supremacy Clause of the Constitution means that when there is a conflict between federal constitutional provisions and state constitutional provisions, I think the federal government wins,” State Sen. Don Gaetz said.

Democrats, like State Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith, say it is the reason that Florida should not go down the same path those other states have.

“It might be OK in California and it might be OK in Texas, but in Florida, partisan gerrymandering to favor one party over another is completely illegal,” he said.

The potential redraw most notably shifts the borders of congressional districts largely in Orlando, Tampa and South Florida.

Lawmakers will be in Tallahassee starting Tuesday afternoon to discuss and eventually vote on the proposed map.