Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday introduced a proposed congressional redistricting plan that could hand Republicans as many as four additional seats in the U.S. House, potentially offsetting recent changes in Virginia that favored Democrats.

The draft map would reshape several districts across central and southern Florida, eliminating four areas that have traditionally leaned Democratic and leaving cities such as Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Orlando, and West Palm Beach as solidly Democratic strongholds.

In a statement to Fox News Digital, which first reported on the proposal, DeSantis argued the changes are necessary to correct what he described as an imbalance following the last census. “Florida got shortchanged in the 2020 Census, and we’ve been fighting for fair representation ever since,” DeSantis said. “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.”

To advance the proposal, DeSantis has called lawmakers back to Tallahassee for a special legislative session set to begin Tuesday, where the new district lines will be taken up for consideration.

{Matzav.com}