DeSantis signs new congressional map; legal challenge filed immediately

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the new congressional redistricting map into law Monday morning, hours after the Florida Legislature approved it in a special session. The map redraws 21 of the state's 28 congressional districts and could swing four seats from Democrats to Republicans in November's midterm elections, according to redistricting analysts. The changes directly affect Central Florida and South Florida Democrats. U.S. Rep. Darren Soto's District 9, which covers Osceola County and parts of Orange County south of Orlando, is significantly redrawn. Other affected districts include those held by Reps. Kathy Castor in Tampa, Jared Moskowitz in South Florida, and Debbie Wasserman Schultz in Broward County. The new map would consolidate five South Florida Democratic districts into three. Hours after the governor's signature, the Equal Ground Education Fund and a coalition of 19 Florida voters filed suit in the Second Circuit Court in Tallahassee, challenging the map's constitutionality. The lawsuit argues the redistricting violates Florida's voter-approved Fair Districts Amendment, which prohibits gerrymandering for partisan purposes. "The 2026 plan is, by traditional measures of partisan gerrymandering, one of the most extreme gerrymanders in American history," the complaint states, citing legislative testimony about Republican goals to pick up seats. DeSantis has pushed for redistricting since summer 2025, citing a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling that limited consideration of race in congressional mapping. His legal team argues that provisions in Florida's 2010 constitutional amendment protecting against partisan gerrymandering may now be invalid. However, Florida Democrats counter that the state constitution's anti-gerrymandering language remains enforceable regardless of the federal ruling. Under the current map approved in 2022, Republicans hold 20 House seats to Democrats' eight. The new map would increase that GOP advantage to 24-4, according to analysis by redistricting experts cited in court documents. Rep. Soto has confirmed he plans to run for reelection in the redrawn District 9 despite headwinds from the new boundaries. Legal experts expect the case to move quickly through Florida courts ahead of the November election.