U.S. Rep. Darren Soto intends to seek re-election in Florida’s 9th Congressional District. But the Kissimmee Democrat has voiced strong support for any legal challenge to a new map
The Kissimmee Democrat’s campaign pointed to his remarks to Punchbowl News reporter Max Cohen. Soto told that outlet, “This map is illegal” and “I’m running in the 9th.”
Under a new map passed by Florida’s Legislature, that would mean running in a very different version of CD 9 than the one to which Soto was previously elected to represent. The district under the new map stretches from Kissimmee south to Moore Haven in Glades County, then reaches east, with a leg of the district including all of Indian River County on the Atlantic Coast.
It could also be a harder place for a Democrat to win. Under the new lines more than 58.2% of voters supported President Donald Trump in the 2024 Presidential Election. By contrast. 51.1% of voters in the current version of CD 9 supported Democrat Kamala Harris.
Soto overperformed Harris in the seat. He won re-election in 2024 with 55.1% of the vote over Republican Thomas Chalifoux’s 42.6%.
But Soto has maintained the new map, proposed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, should not be used in the 2026 Midterms.
“DeSantis thinks Florida’s Constitution isn’t constitutional. He went to Yale??? Must have missed that lesson at George Washington University Law,” Soto posted from his official account. “His mapmaker admits to using partisan data and ignoring Fair District Amendments. He’s daring (the Florida Supreme Court) to act corruptly. Will they be Ron’s Rubber Stamp Court?”
As soon as DeSantis signs the map, progressive groups expect to challenge it in court. Many think it can be challenged for taking apart a majority Hispanic district protected by the Voting Rights Act. It remains unclear if a new U.S. Supreme Court ruling means that protection no longer exists.
“DeSantis declared war against Florida’s 1.3M Puerto Ricans. We are American citizens, our people served and died for this country, and we vote,” Soto said. “This could blow up local and statewide races across Florida.”
