DeSantis Shrugs Off Jeffries’ FAFO Threat, Drops Map Giving GOP Four Extra Seats

AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) just dropped a new congressional map that could potentially hand Republicans four extra seats in the Sunshine State. The move comes just days after House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (NY-8) made a trash-talking threat against any effort by the governor to redistrict his state.

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The proposed redistricting plan, unveiled on Monday, capitalizes on Florida’s massive population boom and Republican voter edge to carve out even stronger conservative districts. If approved by the GOP-controlled state legislature, the new maps would turn what was already a solid Republican advantage into a potential +4 powerhouse for the 2026 midterms.

"Florida got shortchanged in the 2020 Census, and we’ve been fighting for fair representation ever since," DeSantis said in a statement to Fox News Digital. "Our population has since grown dramatically, and we have moved from a Democrat majority to a 1.5 million Republican advantage. Drawing maps based on race, which is reflected in our current congressional districts, is unconstitutional and should be prohibited."

"Our new map for 2026 makes good on my promise to conduct mid-decade redistricting, and it more fairly represents the makeup of Florida today," he added.


READ MORE: Mic Drop: DeSantis Levels Hakeem Jeffries With Hilarious Invite to Florida for Redistricting Battle

Panic at the DNC: Schumer, Jeffries Sue Over Trump's Mail-In Ballot Fraud Crackdown

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Jeffries had tried to bully Florida Republicans away from the move, sneering that any “DeSantis dummymander” would backfire. Yes, he did actually call it a "dummymander." Because he's five but believes in his heart of hearts that he's super-edgy.

“Our message to Florida Republicans is, ‘F around and find out,’” said Jeffries. "If they go down the road of a DeSantis dummymander, the Florida Republicans are going to find themselves in the same situation as Texas Republicans, who are on the run right now. The Republicans are dummymandering their way into the minority before a single vote is cast.”

And with that, DeSantis is gladly saying, 'Let's find out.'

Not only did DeSantis promptly ignore mini-Obama's threat, but he hammered him with a veritable atomic wedgie in response.

“I will pay for you to come down to Florida and campaign,” DeSantis teased. “I’ll put you up in the Florida governor’s mansion. We’ll take you fishing. We’ll do all this stuff.”

“There’s nothing that could be better for Republicans in Florida than to see Jeffries … everywhere around this state,” he added. “Voters will not like what they see, they will not want that type of ideology, and so the door is open, the invitation’s out there.”

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DeSantis isn’t the only one refusing to let Democrats dictate the rules. Let's get back to those Texas Republicans who are supposedly "on the run."

The U.S. Supreme Court just handed Texas Republicans a major redistricting victory by striking down a lower court’s block on the state’s new congressional map — clearing the way for a plan that could deliver up to five additional GOP seats in the 2026 midterms.

Virginia Democrats just rammed through a blatant mid-decade gerrymander aimed at flipping up to four seats in their favor. At least these aggressive redistricting wins in Florida and Texas (and earlier wins in NC, MO, OH) are helping restore balance to the national map. 

Editor’s Note: The 2026 Midterms will determine the fate of President Trump’s America First agenda. Republicans must maintain control of both chambers of Congress.

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