Florida Democratic Reps Castor, Wasserman Schultz to Seek Reelection
Two veteran Florida Democratic congresswomen will seek reelection despite facing drastically redrawn districts under Gov. DeSantis’ controversial redistricting plan.
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA — Two veteran Florida Democratic representatives announced Friday they will seek reelection this fall despite facing significantly altered districts under the newly approved congressional redistricting map backed by Gov. Ron DeSantis.
U.S. Reps. Kathy Castor of Tampa Bay and Debbie Wasserman Schultz of South Florida confirmed their intentions to run again in November, joining Central Florida Rep. Darren Soto in declaring candidacies following this week’s legislative passage of the controversial redistricting plan.
“This is my home. No matter how they draw lines on the map, I’m Tampa Bay’s congresswoman and I’m going to fight to lower costs,” Castor told a reporter during an interview on WMNF 88.5 FM Radio in Tampa.
Wasserman Schultz Weighs District Options
Wasserman Schultz told the South Florida Sun-Sentinel following an event Friday morning that running for reelection was “the easiest decision for me to make.” However, she has not yet determined whether she will run again in Florida’s 25th district or seek another South Florida seat.
The longtime congresswoman has represented parts of Broward and Miami-Dade counties since 2004. Under the new redistricting map, her district has been reconfigured to move from much of southern Broward County and now stretches along the Atlantic Coast from Palm Beach County to Miami Beach.
Districts Face Major Changes
Castor, who has served parts of Hillsborough and Pinellas counties since 2006, also confronts a radically altered district under the new boundaries. The Tampa representative’s district was significantly reconfigured in the map drafted by staffers in DeSantis’ office, which was introduced to the public on Monday and approved Wednesday by Florida’s GOP-controlled Legislature.
Both Castor and Wasserman Schultz are considered among the most vulnerable Democratic incumbents following the redistricting process. Polls indicate the majority of Floridians oppose DeSantis’ redistricting map, despite its passage through the Republican-controlled state legislature.
The redistricting approval faced some opposition even within Republican ranks, with five GOP legislators voting against the plan during this week’s legislative session. The new congressional boundaries will take effect for the November 2026 elections, potentially reshaping the political scene for multiple incumbent representatives across the state.
