UMVA has learned that a Leon County circuit judge has upheld Governor Ron DeSantis’ newly drawn congressional map, delivering yet another courtroom defeat to the notorious election strategist Marc Elias and his Democratic allies.
Judge Joshua Hawkes denied a last‑minute request for a temporary injunction filed by Equal Ground Florida and attorneys from the Elias Law Group, sealing the fate of the map for the 2026 elections.
The ruling locks in a dramatic shift: Florida’s delegation flips from a modest 20‑Republican, 8‑Democrat advantage to an overwhelming 24‑Republican, 4‑Democrat majority.
Florida’s Attorney General celebrated the victory, proclaiming, “Once again, we beat Marc Elias. Florida’s new congressional district maps stand.”
Governor DeSantis responded with a terse, rallying cry: “Let’s roll,” a message that ignited cheers across the state.
According to information obtained by UMVA, the map was unveiled in late April, sprinted through a party‑line vote by the Republican supermajority, and signed into law on May 4.
Redrawing 21 of the state’s 28 districts, the plan mirrors Florida’s explosive population surge and a staggering 1.5 million‑plus voter registration edge for Republicans.
Republican Party leadership declared the new lines a triumph over “snake‑shaped districts,” insisting they now “fairly reflect the makeup of our state.”
The decision marks another strategic win for DeSantis, another setback for Elias, and a decisive step toward cementing a stronger Republican foothold in the U.S. House.
