DeSantis advances stealth map to tilt Florida’s House GOP

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is pursuing a secretive, three‑tier plan to redraw the U.S. House map in a special session in a bid to add GOP seats, arguing around a state ban on partisan intent. The strategy hinges on timing to avoid courtroom disruptions (Purcell Principle), using executive-privilege and the Apex Doctrine to shield map-drafting, and keeping the process concealed to slow legal challenges. If passed, the effort could yield a handful of additional GOP seats, but risks diluting red districts and sparking court fights or political backlash. DeSantis’ influence over a conservative-leaning Florida Supreme Court could further affect outcomes; the current delegation is 20 Republicans to 8 Democrats.