DeSantis' redistricting plan could mean big wins for Republicans in November

As Floridians prepare to head to the polls for the midterm elections in November, Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis is attempting to redraw the Sunshine State’s congressional map – a move that many pundits believe could help the GOP pick up an additional four seats this year.

The governor submitted his plan to the Republican-controlled state Legislature on Wednesday and lawmakers have already signaled that they would accept the redistricting proposal upon its arrival to the floor. Lawmakers are expected to hold a three-and-a-half day special session next week to adopt a new map after DeSantis vetoed a previously submitted proposal.

But if the plan makes anything clear, it’s that Ron DeSantis holds the power in Florida.

As Gary Fineout at Politico notes, the move “is a signal of the power DeSantis wields in the now-Republican-dominated state. Redistricting in Florida may help shape the composition of the U.S. House for at least the next decade.”

Although conservatives have rallied behind the governor, his proposed redistricting is expected to bring about serious legal challenges.

After all, if the legislature were to approve the plan, the state anti-gerrymandering standards that voters adopted in 2010 could be in danger of disappearing – especially considering that any challenge in state court would inevitably end up before Florida’s Supreme Court, which has experienced a serious shift to the right due to DeSantis’ appointments.

This means serious problems for the Democrats, who stand to lose at least four seats.

The new map effectively targets seats held by Rep. Al Lawson (D-FL), Rep. Charlie Crist (D-FL), Rep. Stephanie Murphy (D-FL) and Rep. Val Demings (D-FL).

“If this 20R-8D FL map passes and withstands court challenges, it could net Republicans four additional seats, entirely wiping out Dems’ national redistricting gains thus far,” Dave Wasserman, who analyzes House races as a senior editor at The Cook Political Report, tweeted.

Florida Democratic Party Chair Manny Diaz blasted the measure, saying “it is appalling, but not surprising, that the Republican Legislature has abdicated its constitutional duty to draft and pass congressional maps to the governor.”

“As proven by the proposed map released today, Gov. DeSantis is hell-bent on eliminating congressional seats where Florida’s minority communities have the ability to elect representatives of their choice and he is imposing his own partisan political preferences on Florida’s congressional map.”