—
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WFLA) — As blue and red states go head-to-head over redistricting, Florida is on its way to jump into the fight.
Lawmakers will return to Tallahassee on April 28 for a special session to take up new maps that could shape the November election.
Virginia voters approve redistricting plan that could boost Democrats’ seats in Congress
As of now, the Florida House and Senate said they are in a wait-and-see mode. They said they haven’t been working on any maps, which leaves the governor’s office at the center of what comes next.
“From what I’m hearing, the governor is going to propose the map. I would want the people to know that that means that the legislature is not doing its duty,” said State Rep. Fentrice Driskell, D-Tampa.
Driskell said she believes the Republican-led legislature is handing over its role in map-making right over to the Governor, who has yet to clarify whether his office is behind the new congressional map.
“Republicans, who are the majority in the House, the majority in the Senate, and control the governor’s mansion, are focused more on ego and infighting and not real solutions for the people of Florida,” Driskell said.
Democrats both on the state and national level continue to blame the redistricting war on the GOP.
Up on capitol hill, House Democrats took direct aim at Florida leaders, calling out what they say is “DeSantis Dummy-Mandering”
“Our message to Florida Republicans is F around and find out,” said House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y.
Gov. Ron DeSantis hit back, saying the door is open and nothing would be better for Florida Republicans than to have Jefferies come after the Sunshine State.
“I will pay for you to come down to Florida and campaign. I’ll put you up in the Florida’s governor’s mansion,” said DeSantis.
Wednesday’s tug of war comes after Virginia voters approved a redistricting referendum that could help democrats pick up as many as four seats in the midterm elections.
As for efforts on the ground in Florida, advocates are planning a “day of action” next Tuesday at the state capitol, hoping to make their voices heard, before lawmakers approve any new maps.
Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
