In a ruling that could ultimately result in a shift of Florida’s Congressional Delegation, Leon County Judge Terry Lewis issued his ruling Friday recommending the map submitted by a coalition of voters rights groups be adopted by the Florida Supreme Court. This ruling could mean it is more likely that Florida’s Congressional lines will be drawn by unelected activists and outside consultants. Reaction from Attorney David King, representing the League of Women Voters of Florida and Common Cause came swiftly. “Today’s decision by Judge Lewis is another great victory for the people of Florida and for restoration of representative democracy as it was intended to work.”

As the work of redistricting was handed over to the Courts, it became clear that Congressional districts in South Florida would be the focal point of the judge’s ruling, and ultimately, it was. The ruling revamped eight districts in South Florida, including seats currently held by Republicans Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Carlos Curbelo. Lewis ruled the map submitted by the Voters groups was “hands down the best tier two performing map of the group.” Two-tier performance refers to two requirements for districts: they be as compact as possible and they try to keep cities and counties whole.

Looking beyond South Florida, Lewis’ ruling could cause problems for Congressional incumbents up and down and across Florida. Among these are Rep Gwen Graham (D-Tallahassee); Rep Dan Webster (R-Orlando); and Corrine Brown (D-Jacksonville). Overall, the ruling could pave the way for Democrats to pick up two or 3 seats in Congress; where Republicans currently hold a 17-10 advantage.

Congressman Webster, who recently launched a bid to become Speaker of the House faces the biggest challenge. Currently, Congressional District 10 runs through parts of republican strongholds Lake and Polk county. The new district puts CD 10 entirely within Orange County; the seat could see a 4% advantage to Republicans shift to an 18% advantage for Democrats. There is the option for Webster to run in CD 9, although he has not made any kind of announcement yet. Several prominent Democrats have declared to run for the CD 10 Seat.

As for Congressional District 5, Rep Brown, still very unhappy with the way CD 5 will be redrawn has filed a separate legal challenge in Federal Court, alleging that this new district violates the Federal Voting Rights Act by diluting the black voting population of her district.

Judge Lewis’ recommendation now goes before the Florida Supreme Court, who will review the maps, court testimony and the trial record. The Court gave all parties until October 27 to respond to Judge Lewis’ ruling.