Politics
Delegation for 11.6.26: Above it all — power shift — JAXPORT — fair pay — horsepower
Above the fray
Two years ago, Florida seemed to be the new center of national politics. But on Tuesday, it seemed both above it all and, at the same time, isolated from it all.
After redistricting wars, tens of millions in spending, and a generational blue wave, not a single seat in Florida’s congressional delegation appears to be changing hands in the next Congress.
That’s not to say Florida felt no impact from voters’ apparent retreat from President Donald Trump. Three Republican Representatives — Mario Díaz-Balart, Anna Paulina Luna and María Elvira Salazar — all won re-election by under one percentage point. Salazar awaits a machine recount of votes in Florida’s 27th Congressional District.
Meanwhile, Rep. Darren Soto, a Kissimmee Democrat in a District Trump won by 18 percentage points, held onto his seat despite being widely seen as America’s most endangered Democratic incumbent.
Sen. Ashley Moody, a Plant City Republican, won her first federal election by about 3 points over Democrat Angie Nixon. But that came two years after Sen. Rick Scott won his own re-election bid by 12 points over Debbie Mucarsel Powell, and four years after Moody secured 61% of the vote in her statewide re-election campaign for Florida Attorney General.
All of this took place in Trump’s home state. But perhaps that local affinity for the President kept Florida from getting sucked into the same red undertow as many states, especially in the South.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, on a media tour now that feels like a preface for a presidential bid, called the blow to Republicans “close to an extinction-level event.” But he suggested that Florida’s mid-decade redraw of congressional lines may have staved off consequences.
“In 2024, Florida voters sent 20 Republicans and eight Democrats to the U.S. House. In April 2026, Florida enacted a revised map to unwind an unconstitutional racial gerrymander. Last night, Florida voters likely elected 20 Republicans and eight Democrats to the U.S. House,” he posted on X. “Had the old map been in effect, it would have been 18 Republicans and 10 Democrats.”
A court case remains undecided on whether the old map broke the law or the new one does, but it may not be settled even by the next election cycle.
But while Republicans fretted over whether the Democratic gains on Tuesday were a trend that endures or a passing moment, Democrats in Florida had little to show for it besides bragging rights.
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee this year announced it was targeting five GOP-held districts in Florida this year. Even as the party gained around 40 seats nationwide, none were from Sunshine State flips.
The delegation will see change. Rep. Cory Mills, a New Smyrna Republican, lost in a Republican Primary to Ryan Elijah, who appears to have kept Florida’s 7th Congressional District in Republican hands. Former Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick resigned last year while under indictment, and fellow Democrat Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz stopped her comeback in August in Florida’s 20th Congressional District. But neither seat will change party control.
Additionally, five retiring incumbents will leave, but members of the same party will replace them in January.
Leadership
Meanwhile, the change in control of Congress will mean a substantial shake-up in who controls the levers of power in Congress. It remains to be seen whether Floridians will fill the void, but delegation members are already eyeing key positions.
Curiously, Florida Democrats seem reluctant to re-enter majority status, but many will hold onto key positions.
Wasserman Schultz, Democratic co-chair of the Florida congressional delegation, also co-chaired the House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee, which could have a significant say in who holds gavels in the next Congress. Meanwhile, Rep. Maxwell Frost, an Orlando Democrat, co-chairs the House Democratic Policy and Communications Committee.
Rep. Kathy Castor, a Tampa Democrat, chaired the House Select Climate Crisis Committee the last time her party held the majority. Incoming Speaker Hakeem Jeffries has not yet said whether such a Committee will return.
Rep. Lois Frankel, a West Palm Beach Democrat, has been the Ranking Member on the House National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Subcommittee, and may trade that role for the gavel with Díaz-Balart, the Subcommittee’s current Chair. Rep. Jared Moskowitz has been Ranking Democrat on the Middle East and North Africa Subcommittee and could become Chair.
On the opposite side of the aisle, Rep. Greg Steube, a Sarasota Republican, just announced a run to be GOP Conference Chair, the No. 3 member of the caucus. With Speaker Mike Johnson already saying he won’t run for leadership, Steube argued that the caucus needs wholesale change.
Rep. Brian Mast, a Republican from Stuart, will shift to ranking member on the House Foreign Affairs Committee. More Committee assignments and leadership positions could be announced next week.
In addition, Rep. Laurel Lee announced in September that she would run for top Republican on the House Judiciary Committee, a fight that could get more interesting if current Chair Jim Jordan wins the Minority Leader race.
Staying in Session?
Congress will return next week for a “lame duck” Session. Scott, for his part, has joined a call for Republicans to push through as many of Trump’s judicial appointments as possible, even if that means working through the new Congress coming into power on Jan. 3.
After Sen. Mike Lee, a Utah Republican, posted that Republicans “should take full advantage of our majorities while we still have them,” Scott posted an enthusiastic “Agree!” This isn’t the first time the Naples Republican has suggested Republicans in Congress should work more, including during shutdowns.
Ultimately, the decision will rest with current Senate Majority Leader John Thune. Notably, Thune beat out Scott for the role of leading the caucus at the start of this Congress.
Ahead of the Senate breaking for an election-season recess, Scott denied speculation that he would challenge Thune for a leadership position in the next Congress. “I’m not going to criticize John,” Scott told the press on the last day of votes before the Midterms. But he said his main gripe was that the Senate should have more working days in D.C. to get business done.
Work continues
But beyond the political moment, disasters also have gripped the attention of many in the delegation. Barely a day after winning re-election, Moody helped constituents get assistance after flooding on the Atlantic Coast.
“Fourteen Florida counties are now under a state of emergency for flooding,” she posted on X. “If your home or business took on water, report the damage to your county emergency management office. Those reports help document the need for federal disaster aid. Need help with a federal agency? My office is here for you.”
Rep. Randy Fine posted about help for those in Florida’s 6th Congressional District. “The St. Johns River remains in moderate flood stage near Astor, with elevated levels driven by heavy rain and persistent winds, which is causing flooding in Lake and Volusia Counties,” he posted.
Well to the south, Mast said roads were closed in St. Lucie and Martin counties, and flooding continued in Palm Beach Gardens. “Florida’s 21st District is experiencing widespread flooding and dangerous driving conditions. Stay aware of flooded roads. Turn around, don’t drown,” he posted on Election Day.
JAXPORT funding
Two North Florida lawmakers announced a major federal grant ahead of the election to rebuild JAXPORT’s Blount Island berth. The Department of Transportation awarded the Jacksonville Port Authority $40 million, a win for Reps. Aaron Bean and Kat Cammack.
The lawmakers had urged Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy to include that money in the Maritime Administration’s FY 2026 Port Infrastructure Development Program budget.
“The strength of Northeast Florida’s economy is directly tied to our ports,” said Bean, a Fernandina Beach Republican. “I am pleased to have worked with my colleagues to secure this critical funding. Improving the infrastructure at Blount Island Marine Terminal will expand deep-water capacity and help ensure the safe, efficient, and reliable movement of goods through one of our nation’s most strategically important seaports.”
Cammack had sent Duffy letters about the Florida project.
“When our troops have to move, they move through ports like this one. JAXPORT is one of 17 commercial seaports that support our military when it deploys, and the rest of the time, its cargo supports more than 258,800 Florida jobs,” the Gainesville Republican said. “I made that case to Secretary Duffy in May because this berth has to be ready for both. This grant gets the work started, and I’ll keep pushing for the ports that keep Florida and our military moving.”
Fair pay
Three members of the delegation worked across party lines to change how federal workers in mid-Florida are paid.
Rep. Gus Bilirakis, a Palm Harbor Republican, co-introduced the Locality Pay Adjustment Act (HR 10898) with Democrats Castor and Soto. The bill would establish separate federal locality pay areas for the Orlando and Tampa metropolitan regions.
That would acknowledge the higher cost of living in the urbanized areas and adjust salaries accordingly. That already happens in South Florida and on the Space Coast, but Tampa Bay and Orlando area workers are paid in scale with the “Rest of U.S.”
“Our civilian federal employees care for our Veterans, support our military, and help protect our nation. Yet Tampa Bay’s outdated pay designation makes it harder to recruit and retain the skilled professionals who carry out these essential missions,” Bilirakis said.
“At MacDill Air Force Base, home to U.S. Special Operations Command and U.S. Central Command, workforce shortages can have real consequences for military readiness and national security. Our bipartisan legislation would establish a pay locality that better reflects our regional labor market and the realities employees face, including rising living costs, traffic, and lengthy commutes. We must give our federal agencies the tools to compete for talent and retain the experienced workforce our country depends on.”
Soto concurred from the Orlando area.
“In Florida’s Ninth Congressional District, so many of our constituents form part of the civilian federal workforce — whether it be by working at the Space Coast, Orlando International Airport, the Lake Nona and Kissimmee VAs, and so many other critical places that help keep Central Florida moving forward,” Soto said.
Castor said it was a matter of fairness for workers.
“The cost of living in the Tampa Bay area has escalated rapidly and is pricing out the civilian federal workforce. From our air traffic controllers and TSA agents at Tampa International Airport to our Social Security Administration employees and the more than 8,000 civilians working in critical missions at MacDill Air Force Base, these individuals make an incredible commitment to service every day,” Castor said.
“Tampa’s current lack of a unique locality pay designation — which determines compensation — fails to acknowledge the high cost of living and is harming the ability to hire and retain talent in the public and private sectors. Congress can help fix this.”
On par
As retiring Rep. Vern Buchanan wraps up his congressional work, the Longboat Key Republican took a moment to present congressional recognition to pro golfer — and Bradenton resident — Nelly Korda.
“Nelly is not only the best women’s golfer in the world but also a shining example of everything that makes our community great,” Buchanan said.
“My granddaughter is a golfer, and Nelly is a true inspiration to her. She, like many others across Southwest Florida, watches how Nelly competes, how she handles both victory and disappointment and how she carries herself on and off the course. It means so much for young athletes to see someone from their own backyard rise to the very top of the game. Nelly has brought tremendous pride to Bradenton and our nation, and I was honored to recognize her.”
Korda has won 19 LPGA tours, an Olympic Gold medal, and four major championships, including the Chevron Championship and her first U.S. Women’s Open title this year.
Buchanan put the achievements in the official Congressional Record and presented Korda with a copy on Nov. 2 when Bradenton officials declared it Nelly Korda Day.
Horsepower
The slaughter of horses prompted Salazar, a Coral Gables Republican, to lobby Trump and the Department of Agriculture about international equine trade.
Salazar led a letter urging the President to issue an executive order prohibiting the international sale of any American horse meat. Curiously, the U.S. has banned the sale of horses overseas for slaughter and won’t allow horse meat to be imported to the U.S., but will allow meat from the slaughter of horses statewide to be exported.
“These horses carried our pioneers, served beside our soldiers, and gave us their loyalty without asking for anything in return, and yet we still allow them to be slaughtered for meat. It is time to end this cruelty once and for all,” Salazar said.
Five other lawmakers, including Luna, signed onto the letter.
Animal advocates welcomed the effort.
“We are grateful for Congresswoman Salazar’s steadfast commitment to animal protection and for helping to bar the transport of American horses for slaughter to Mexico for human consumption,” said Wayne Pacelle, president of Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy. “We don’t allow the slaughter of American horses on U.S. soil, so should we allow them to be butchered south of our border?”
FRONTIER guardrails
The blue wave on Nov. 3 is expected to bring a wave of legislation starting Jan. 3, the day the 120th Congress is sworn in.
Democrats, on track to win their largest House majority since 1988, said they want to move fast on AI regulation. Key priorities include protecting consumers from data center electricity costs, mandating independent AI testing, and establishing legal liability for AI-caused harm.
One of Congress’ leading Democratic voices on the issue, Rep. Lori Trahan of Massachusetts, wants legislation requiring independent experts to evaluate leading AI models against safety standards.
In July, she introduced the bipartisan FRONTIER Act, which establishes a “national, risk-based framework” of guardrails meant to prevent “catastrophic risks” of AI. She followed that bill with the CLAIM Act in October, draft legislation that would make AI developers accountable for harm done by their autonomous systems.
Meanwhile, Michigan Democratic Sen.-elect Abdul El-Sayed has called for a cabinet-level agency to regulate AI.
Trump signaled he may be willing to work with the new Democratic Congress, though it is unclear whether that newfound spirit of cooperation extends to AI development, a cornerstone of his administration’s agenda.
Democrats clearly feel emboldened on the issue, and for good reason. Voters overwhelmingly backed restrictions on data center development Tuesday, with measures favoring tighter regulations or outright bans prevailing in 46 of 47 ballot initiatives nationwide.
On this day
Nov. 6, 1860 — “The Presidential election; astounding triumph of Republicanism” via The New York Times — The canvass for the presidency of the United States terminated in all the States of the Union, and the result, by the vote of New York, is placed beyond question at once. It elects Abraham Lincoln of Illinois, President, for four years. The election, so far as the City and State of New York are concerned, will probably stand, hereafter, as one of the most remarkable in the political contests of the country; marked, as it is, by far the heaviest popular vote ever cast in the City, and by the sweeping, and almost uniform, Republican majorities in the country.
Nov. 6, 1988 — “Renowned Soviet dissident Andrei Sakharov visits United States” via History — The Soviet scientist and well-known human rights activist pleaded with the American government and people to support Russian leader Mikhail Gorbachev’s policies of glasnost (political openness) and perestroika (economic reforms), and so ensure the success of a new, more democratic, and friendlier Soviet system. Sakharov had not always been a favorite of the Soviet government. A respected physicist in the Soviet Union, he began to have serious doubts about Russia’s open-air testing of nuclear weapons. He also began to protest for more scientific freedom in the Soviet Union. By the mid-1960s, he was openly criticizing the Stalinist legacy and laws designed to muzzle political opponents.
Happy birthday
Best wishes to Rep. Frederica Wilson, who turns 84 on Thursday, Nov. 5.
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Peter Schorsch publishes Delegation, compiled by Jacob Ogles, edited and assembled by Phil Ammann and Ryan Nicol, with contributions by Fabrizio Gowdy.
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