With the redistricting of Florida’s Congressional districts in full swing, the potential is there to create some very interesting races. In keeping with the Florida Supreme Court’s ruling that districts move East-West and not north-south, Congressional District 5 appears to be undergoing the biggest changes. A district that once snaked through 9 counties, from Jacksonville to Northwest Orange County, will move west from Jacksonville, which opens up some possibilities for challenges from potential candidates, one being Conservative Republican Glo Smith. Others are rumored to be considering a run for the New CD 5, which has Corrine scurrying to court in an effort to stop the re-districting and challenges to her comfy seat.
Another district undergoing some changes is CD 10, Congressman Dan Webster’s District. Going from a Republican stronghold to a much more democratic one did not send Webster to court like his counterpart; instead he travelled last week to Tallahassee to testify about the proposed changes. Webster told the legislative committee working on redistricting, “The new plan disfavors incumbents. An affirmative vote for this plan.. is a specific intent to disfavor me as an incumbent”. He also stated the base map “makes the seat uncompetitive for anyone in my Party (Webster is a republican) and was built to eliminate an incumbent”. It looks like redistricting may be a done deal; it is this that has lent Val Demmings (D) some encouragement to run for this Congressional seat. Perennial Candidate Demmings, in search of an elected office to hold and former Police Chief of the Orlando Police Dept., left her OPD job to prepare herself for a run for Congress in 2012 against Congressman Webster and was unsuccessful. In 2014, she opened a campaign for Orange County Mayor against strong incumbent Teresa Jacobs, but withdrew from the race shortly after, citing non-specific “health” reasons.
Demings stated in an interview that she will run for CD 10, regardless of the ultimate redistricting outcome, stating that she was going to win this time, because “I’ve learned so much since 2012”. She also discussed the opportunities she’s had to travel and talk to people about issues that affect them, like economic equality, opportunities for the working class and criminal justice reforms.
Congressman Webster could have a fight on his hands this election cycle, especially if the redrawn CD 10 is approved. Demings is well-known among democrats in the newly redrawn CD 10. And another democrat, Florida Senator Geri Thompson indicated she was exploring a run for the congressional seat. Congressman Webster remains strong among his current constituents. The question remains whether he will be able to reach out to an entirely new group of voters unfamiliar with his congressional record.
