### DeSantis Pushes for Congressional Redistricting in Florida Ahead of Midterm Elections In a significant political move, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has announced plans to convene a special legislative session in April 2026 to redraw the state's congressional districts. This decision comes as part of a broader trend among Republican-led states to adjust electoral maps mid-decade, potentially impacting the balance of power in Congress. Currently, Florida has 28 congressional districts, with a Republican-Democratic split of 20-8, and the redistricting could further enhance Republican representation ahead of the upcoming midterm elections [https://www.mainstreetdailynews.com/govt-politics/desantis-florida-congressional-redistricting][https://wtop.com/national/2026/01/republican-gov-ron-desantis-calls-for-a-special-session-in-april-to-redraw-floridas-congressional-districts]. ### Structure of the Redistricting Initiative 1. **Announcement of Special Session**: - DeSantis has officially called for a special session to address congressional redistricting, emphasizing the need for fair representation [https://www.wesh.com/article/desantis-special-session-redistrict-floridas-congressional-maps/69936841]. 2. **Timing and Legislative Context**: - The special session is scheduled for late April, following the regular legislative session, allowing lawmakers to focus on redistricting without conflicting priorities [https://www.wtxl.com/news/capitol-news/gov-desantis-will-convene-special-session-on-redistricting]. 3. **Political Implications**: - The redistricting effort is seen as a strategic move to potentially gain additional congressional seats for the Republican Party, reflecting a national trend of mid-decade redistricting [https://www.freedom969.com/us-news/gov-ron-desantis-calls-for-special-session-in-april-to-redraw-floridas-congressional-districts]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Current Congressional Landscape**: - Florida's congressional districts currently reflect a Republican majority with a 20-8 split. The redistricting could alter this balance, potentially adding up to five more seats for Republicans [https://www.firstcoastnews.com/article/news/regional/florida/florida-congressional-map-redistricting-special-legislative-session/77-6189e15a-92ee-48ed-9465-f3f9db41b5f6]. - **National Context**: - Florida joins other states in a redistricting arms race, where political parties seek to redraw maps to their advantage before the midterm elections [https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2026-election/florida-gov-ron-desantis-calls-april-special-session-redistricting-rcna252844]. ### Conclusion: Implications of DeSantis' Redistricting Call **Key Findings**: 1. **Strategic Timing**: The special session in April is strategically timed to influence the upcoming midterm elections. 2. **Potential for Increased Republican Seats**: The redistricting could significantly alter the congressional landscape in Florida, potentially increasing Republican representation. 3. **Broader Political Strategy**: This move aligns with a national trend among Republican-led states to redraw electoral maps for political gain. In summary, Governor Ron DeSantis' call for a special session to redraw Florida's congressional districts is a calculated political maneuver aimed at enhancing Republican representation in Congress ahead of the midterm elections. The implications of this redistricting could resonate beyond Florida, reflecting a larger strategy among Republican states to secure electoral advantages [https://www.ktsa.com/gov-ron-desantis-calls-for-special-session-in-april-to-redraw-floridas-congressional-districts][https://www.tampafp.com/florida-gov-desantis-orders-special-session-for-new-congressional-maps].