DeSantis and Florida Republicans push to flip four US House seats in what Democrats call a ‘dummymander’ | CNN Politics

The Republicans who control Florida’s Legislature on Tuesday will take up a new map proposed by Gov. Ron DeSantis to give the GOP an edge in four seats now held by Democrats – in what is likely the final maneuver in the coast-to-coast redistricting battle that has raged for months between the political parties. The proposal targets a Tampa-area district held by Democratic Rep. Kathy Castor as well as an Orlando-area district held by Rep. Darren Soto. It also appears to redraw South Florida districts now represented by Democrats for Republican gain. Florida Republicans currently control 20 of the state’s US House seats. DeSantis’ plan is aimed at leaving Democrats with just four. Within hours of its release, Democrats vowed legal action. Redistricting experts warned of overreach that could end up backfiring on Republicans if a blue wave washes over November’s midterm elections. Given the stronger-than-typical performance of Democrats in recent elections, University of Florida redistricting expert Michael McDonald said DeSantis’ proposal “is probably a plus-two or plus-three map” for the GOP. “But it could backfire gloriously if it’s just a bloodbath everywhere”