Governor Ron DeSantis blasted House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries on Thursday, framing the passage of Florida’s new congressional maps as a direct response to political rhetoric from national Democrats.
The Governor’s comments followed the Republican Party of Florida’s formal approval of the redistricting plan, which state leaders say was necessary to address population growth and constitutional requirements.
However, DeSantis revealed that the timing and resolve of the legislature were fueled by what he described as “threats” from Jeffries, a New York Congressman.
“Someone [playing] warfare against Florida Republicans… you’re gonna find out,” DeSantis said. “He’s like, ‘Oh, if you do the redistricting thing, we’re gonna take out all your members.’ What I said was, ‘Go ahead, make my day.'”
The Governor asserted that the Florida Legislature moved forward with the new map immediately after Jeffries began voicing opposition last week. DeSantis argued the redistricting was a legal necessity, specifically citing a need to fix “racial gerrymandering” in Southern Florida.
He noted that the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision on Louisiana vindicated the state’s approach. RELATED: Florida GOP Praises Supreme Court Ruling In Louisiana Case As Mandate For Florida Maps
“I posted the map of that district today. It’s got these like crab claws going out. It’s ridiculous,” DeSantis said, referring to the previous district boundaries. “That has been fixed. The notion that we would ever deviate from doing what’s right because we’re fielding threats from some machine politician in Brooklyn… that is not happening here.”
The Governor used the redistricting clash to draw a broader contrast between the management of Florida and New York. He pointed to Florida’s population of 23.5 million surpassing New York’s 19.5 million, while noting that New York’s budget remains more than double the size of Florida’s.
“Who has better infrastructure and better roads? It’s not even close,” DeSantis said, criticizing New York’s tolls and road conditions. “We don’t want to do business like they do business.”
READ: Bullhorns And Battle Lines: Chaos On The Florida House Floor Over New Voting Maps
DeSantis highlighted Florida’s fiscal position, claiming the state has paid off more than half of its accumulated debt during his seven-year tenure through an accelerated repayment program. He announced plans to commission a “debt clock” for Florida that counts down rather than up, contrasting it with the famous national debt clock in New York City.
The Governor also credited the state’s budget surplus for allowing Florida to accelerate major transportation projects. He claimed many projects originally scheduled for the 2030s are now being delivered five to 15 years ahead of schedule.
“You think they’re doing that with Hakeem Jeffries in Brooklyn?” DeSantis asked. “Obviously, they’re not.”
The new congressional maps, praised by the Republican Party of Florida for prioritizing “fair representation,” are expected to be in place for the upcoming election cycle, marking a significant victory for the Governor’s legislative agenda amidst a national tug-of-war over congressional control.
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