Florida and California Approve New Congressional Maps

Florida's Republican-controlled legislature has approved new congressional district maps proposed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, which could shift up to four seats toward Republicans in the 2026 midterm elections. The maps redraw boundaries to favor the party, giving Republicans a projected 24-4 advantage over Democrats in the state's delegation.

Democrats have criticized the changes as partisan gerrymandering and plan legal challenges under Florida's constitutional ban on such practices. The redistricting follows population growth since the 2020 census, with DeSantis stating the maps are race-neutral and reflect the state's political leanings.

Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick's resignation amid campaign finance allegations. Analysts from both parties note the new lines use packing and cracking techniques to concentrate or dilute Democratic voters.

Rep. Darren Soto's 9th District, which supported Kamala Harris by 4 points in 2024, would shift to favor Donald Trump by 18 points, according to Cook Political Report analysis. Soto described the changes as an unlawful violation of the Florida Constitution and a declaration of war against the state's 1.3 million Puerto Ricans.

“DeSantis declared war against Florida’s 1.3M Puerto Ricans. We are American citizens, our people served and died for this country, and we vote.”

Rep. Kathy Castor's 14th District, which backed Harris by 8 points, would swing to Trump by 10 points. Castor announced she will run for reelection in the redrawn district, calling the maps blatantly illegal but committing to fight for Tampa Bay residents.

The changes split the Tampa-St. Petersburg area into three Republican-leaning districts, adding conservative rural areas to Castor's seat. Rep. Jared Moskowitz's 23rd District would become more Republican, with Trump winning by 9 points under the new lines compared to Harris's 2-point edge in 2024.

Moskowitz told Axios he plans to run again but has not chosen a district, with options including the new 22nd, 23rd, or 25th. Running in the 23rd could pit him against fellow Democrat Rep. Lois Frankel. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz's 25th District is dismantled, placing her home in a new Republican-leaning 22nd District that stretches to the Gulf Coast and favors Republicans by 16 points.

She called the redistricting a clear effort to steal seats and a violation of the state's ban on partisan gerrymandering. Wasserman Schultz has not announced her plans but could run in the vacant 20th District or another. The maps also affect other areas, erasing a heavily Black district previously represented by Cherfilus-McCormick and spreading its voters across multiple seats.

This follows a Supreme Court ruling striking down race-based redistricting in Louisiana, opening doors for similar changes in other Southern states. Rep. Maxwell Frost's 10th District remains a safe Democratic seat in Central Florida, while the Orlando area sees consolidation into one Democratic stronghold and a sprawling Republican one.

In California, congressional districts were restructured under Proposition 50, approved by voters last year, leading to dramatic changes in the state's 52 seats. The new maps force nine incumbent Republicans into more left-leaning districts, with three designed to flip Democratic and two others favoring the party.

Democrats are positioning for gains that could help them retake House control and challenge President Donald Trump's agenda. National focus is on tossup races in the Central Valley and San Diego, where Democratic challengers aim to unseat Republicans.

Several races feature intra-party contests in the open primary system, with incumbents facing progressive challengers seeking new leadership. Incumbents hold fundraising advantages, but newcomers are campaigning on calls for change.

“No matter how lines are drawn on a map, I will continue to fight to lower the cost of living and stand up for my Tampa Bay neighbors.”

California's races are critical as the state could decide House control, with Democrats on offense after the redistricting. Both parties have redrawn maps nationwide, including in Virginia and Texas, to boost midterm chances. Florida's maps are expected to face court challenges, potentially altering outcomes before November.

Florida's changes follow Virginia's approval of maps under Gov. Abigail Spanberger. A Supreme Court decision in Louisiana v. Callais invalidated race-based districts, prompting potential redraws in states like Tennessee and Alabama. Democrats, via the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, labeled Florida's maps a corrupt partisan power grab likely to be struck down.

Executive Director Julie Merz highlighted violations of the state's Fair Districts Amendment from 2010. If upheld, the maps would minimize swing districts, concentrating control in fewer competitive seats. Across the U.S., both parties have eliminated many swing districts through redistricting, shrinking the number of seats that will determine House control in 2026.

Analysts note this trend reduces electoral volatility but raises concerns about representation. The outcomes in Florida and California will shape the House's balance, influencing investigations and legislation under the Trump administration.