Hakeem Jeffries criticized Gov. Ron DeSantis after the governor invited him to Florida amid a contentious redistricting fight, calling DeSantis a "lame duck." Jeffries warned that aggressive partisan redistricting could jeopardize Republican-held seats and pointed to recent contestations in other states as cautionary examples. DeSantis convened a special session to redraw congressional maps, while Florida’s constitution prohibits maps that explicitly favor a party. With eight Democratic-held districts on the table, the outcome could affect control of the House heading into 2026.
Jeffries Labels DeSantis a 'Lame Duck' After Florida Invitation, Warns GOP Redistricting Could Backfire
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., speaks before a House vote on funding for the Department of Homeland Security on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., March 5, 2026.(Getty Images)
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries sharply criticized Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis after the governor publicly invited him to Florida and offered to cover travel and lodging as the state prepares for a contentious redistricting push.
DeSantis made the offer at a news conference in Kissimmee, saying, "Please. Be my guest. I will pay for you to come down to Florida to campaign. I'll put you up in the Florida governor's mansion. We will take you fishing." He added that seeing Jeffries in Florida would energize Republicans.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis delivers his State of the State address during the first day of the legislative session at the Florida State Capitol in Tallahassee on Jan. 13, 2026.
Speaking to Fox News Digital, Jeffries called DeSantis a "charismatically challenged lame-duck governor," and warned that aggressive partisan mapmaking could backfire on Florida Republicans. "Ron DeSantis is putting his own congressional delegation in jeopardy," Jeffries said, arguing that heavy-handed redistricting risks creating competitive districts rather than safe ones.
"Our message to Florida Republicans is: 'F around and find out,'" Jeffries said, referring to recent redistricting battles in other states. He pointed to Texas as an example where Republicans' plans to flip multiple seats have not produced the expected gains.
The exchange comes amid a broader national fight over congressional maps. Multiple states have advanced redistricting proposals following a push by national Republican leaders; Democrats contend those efforts amount to partisan gerrymandering, while Republicans say they are restoring fair representation.
The U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C., March 9, 2026.
DeSantis called a special legislative session to redraw Florida's congressional districts, saying the maps should "accurately reflect the population of our state." Florida's constitution bars maps that are drawn to favor a political party, and as of this report no finalized plan has been released.
Currently, Florida's congressional delegation includes 20 Republicans and eight Democrats. Eight districts held by Democrats have been identified as potential targets for redrawing. With the 2026 midterm elections on the horizon, both parties are jockeying to shape maps that could influence control of the U.S. House.
Fox News Digital’s Leo Briceno contributed to reporting on this story.
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