Rep Donalds backs DeSantis’s Florida redistricting map for 4 GOP seats

Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., rallied behind Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis while lambasting Democratic House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and California Gov. Gavin Newsom for their redistricting efforts.

DeSantis unveiled a new congressional map this week that could give Republicans four additional seats. If it is approved by the Republican-led state legislature, DeSantis would then have to sign it before it takes effect in the 2026 midterms.

“Governor DeSantis is doing the right thing,” Donalds told Fox News Digital. “I fully support what he’s doing.”

Following an initiative led by President Donald Trump, several states have launched similar redistricting efforts. But Democrats say this strategy could backfire.

REDISTRIBUTION FIGHT BROADS AS MARYLAND DEMOCRATS MOVE TO REDECONOMY GOP HOUSE SEAT

Rep. Byron Donalds of Naples speaks during CPAC Latino 2025 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida on June 28, 2025. He is running for governor of Florida in the 2026 election. (Al Diaz/Miami Herald/Tribune News Service)

Newsom said he hoped Florida’s redistricting efforts would mark the end of a national campaign aimed at gaining untapped partisan advantages within redrawn congressional boundaries. Jeffries echoed those concerns, warning that DeSantis could endanger Republican seats.

Donalds said he doesn’t pay attention to criticism from Democrats like Jeffries and Newsom.

“I don’t listen to Hakeem,” he said. “He’s a fake tough guy. I don’t listen to Gavin. He’s a terrible governor, the worst in the country.”

“No one cares about Gavin,” he added.

FORMER DEMOCRATIC ADVISOR SAYS PARTY RHETORIC ON REDISTRACT HAS BECOME ‘A LITTLE OUT OF CONTROL’

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries speaks during a press conference on funding for the Department of Homeland Security at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC, February 4, 2026. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

Jeffries and DeSantis traded several blows over redistricting, starting with Jeffries’ “F around and find out” warning. DeSantis responded by offering to pay for his trip to Florida, and Jeffries later called him a “lame duck.”

Republicans and Democrats are engaged in a nationwide meatball battle as they vie for control of the House of Representatives ahead of the upcoming election. Both parties aim to win the House through redistricting.

Donalds argued that Democrats had attempted similar map battles in the past, citing New York, where a Congressional map drawn by Democrats was later invalidated by the state’s highest court.

“The Democrats did this,” Donalds said. “They’ve been doing this for a long time. They tried to expel four Republican members from New York, and the only thing that stopped them was their appeals court.”

MARYLAND HOUSE APPROVES NEW CONGRESSIONAL MAP AS SENATE LEADERS WARN OF RISKS

Governor Gavin Newsom speaks on stage during “Networth And Chill With Guest Governor Gavin Newsom” during the SXSW 2026 Conference and Festival at the Hilton Austin in Austin, Texas on March 15, 2026. (Gary Miller/FilmMagic)

Last week, a congressional redistricting referendum called by Democratic Gov. Abigail Spanberger passed, giving Virginia Democrats a key advantage.

California, Missouri, North Carolina, Texas, Utah, Ohio and Virginia have already adopted new congressional maps, redrawing districts ahead of the 2030 census.

Republicans hope to gain up to nine seats through redistricting in Ohio, North Carolina, Missouri and Texas. Democrats aim to add nine in California, Virginia and Utah.

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A special session began Tuesday with lawmakers now reviewing the maps.

Leo Briceno of Fox News Digital contributed to this report.