Florida Governor Ron DeSantis escalated his war of words with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries on Friday, daring the New York Democrat to challenge the state's Republican-led redistricting push. "Go ahead, make my day, bring it on," DeSantis said during a press conference in Jacksonville. "I would like nothing better than to have him campaigning all across Florida."
The governor dismissed Jeffries' threats as empty, adding, "We are not going to be cowed by threats from some machine politician from Brooklyn. It doesn't work that way down here. That's not how we roll."
The clash comes ahead of a special session in the Florida Legislature next week, where Republicans aim to pass a map designed to boost their party's congressional seats. This move is seen as the GOP's last major opportunity to pick up seats before the November midterms, especially after recent Democratic gains in Virginia, where voters approved a referendum that could redraw lines in favor of Democrats in 10 out of 11 House districts.
Jeffries, who celebrated the Virginia outcome, quickly turned his attention to Florida. He warned of "maximum warfare, everywhere, all the time" if Republicans proceed, labeling the push a "dummymander" that could backfire. "Our message to Florida Republicans is, 'F around and find out,'" Jeffries told reporters Wednesday on Capitol Hill. He also singled out eight Florida House seats held by Republicans that Democrats would "aggressively target," according to a statement shared by Punchbowl News.
DeSantis remained confident, stating that state lawmakers would "get the job done." However, not all Republicans are on board. One Florida GOP operative told The Hill that redistricting is "fraught with peril," pointing to recent Democratic victories in the state and clear anti-gerrymandering language in Florida's constitution. Another GOP consultant with close ties to DeSantis and the legislature admitted, "I don't feel great about it," when asked about the session.
The redistricting battle is part of a broader national struggle for House control. Republicans have already passed new maps in Texas, North Carolina, and Missouri, while Democrats have gained seats in California and from a court-ordered map in Utah. The tit-for-tat began last year with President Trump's push to overhaul Texas maps to gain five additional GOP seats.
As Florida prepares for its special session, the stakes are high. The outcome could determine whether Republicans can maintain their razor-thin House majority or face further erosion. For now, DeSantis is betting that his aggressive stance will rally GOP voters, while Jeffries is mobilizing for a fight that could reshape Florida's congressional delegation.
