More people and organizations are getting involved in the Florida Redistricting disaster. The Florida House and Senate remain at each others throats; appeals for compromise from House and Senate Leader and their attorneys have been largely ignored. Appeals to the Florida Supreme Court by Leon County Circuit Judge Terry Lewis, who has been presiding over this mess, for some guidance, have so far gone unanswered. Groups like The League of Women Voters of Florida and Common Cause have also asked the Courts to resolve this issue.
And there is also the issue of Rep. Corrine Brown’s (D) lawsuit, filed in Federal court to keep her long and winding Congressional district 5 as is. Currently snaking through 9 counties from Jacksonsville to Northwest Orange County and a smidge of Seminole County, the proposed new map, would shift this district to run more east to west, from Jacksonville, to near to Tallahassee. In court papers filed in August, Brown claims her new district would violate the Federal Voting Rights Act. “The drawing and redrawing of Congresswoman Brown’s district, as required by the Florida Supreme Court’s opinion, carries with it the very real and imminent possibility of ..constituents being deprived of the ability to elect a representative of their choice”. The suit goes on to state “her district – often criticized for its shape – is a minority access district—a district where minorities have the greatest chance of electing representatives of their choice”. The League of Women voters has stated that the current CD 5 violates the Fair Districts requirements, stating in part, “the North-south version of District 5 is a vestige of Florida’s partisan past” that “marginalizes minority votes by concentrating them into a single district.”.
In the meantime, word this week that Congressman Dan Webster (R), Congressional district 10, may be facing even more competition in his race to keep that seat. If the new map is approved, what was once regarding as a strong Republican district will take on a much more democratic constituency. Declared candidates include Val Demmings (D) and State Senator Geraldine Thompson (D). Reports indicate he could be facing two more democrats. Former State Senator Gary Siplin (D) is said to be seriously considering a run. And now word that former Florida Democratic State Chairman Bob Poe is looking into a run. Congressman Webster recently offered testimony in Tallahassee against the redrawing of his district. “The new plan disfavors incumbents”. He went on to say the base map “make the seat uncompetitive for anyone in my party” and will “eliminate an incumbent”.
Until the Courts finally resolve this matter, expect the drama of redistricting to continue.
