South Florida is the focus as Gov. Ron DeSantis and state Republicans attempt to deliver on demands from President Donald Trump and his allies that states controlled by his party reconfigure congressional districts in ways to get more Republicans and fewer Democrats elected to Congress.

Redistricting has major implications: It can end the careers of well-known elected officials and determine which party will win congressional races and control Congress — all before a single citizen casts a vote.

Florida’s congressional districts are already crafted to lean Republican. In 2022, when DeSantis was at the peak of his political influence he directed Republican state lawmakers to pass a redistricting plan that helped their party.

Now he’s calling for more changes — and has cited South Florida as a focal point.

Why South Florida?

Making the state’s congressional delegation even more Republican red naturally means focusing on South Florida, because it’s home to five of the state’s eight remaining Democrats in Congress.