Florida Republicans Continue Their Surrender Tour — and Ron DeSantis Responds Accordingly – Opinion

It is not clear to me what the thoughts and actions of certain Florida Republicans who are currently responsible for redistricting the state. With Democrat gerrymanders reaching extreme levels in places like Illinois, California, and New York, you’d think all members of the GOP would be united in fighting fire with fire. Some have instead chosen to not only surrender unilaterally, but actively seek to preserve Democrat seats.

Florida’s Senate passed a map that would put the Republican advantage at only four seats (16-12 R to D), essentially handing the state’s pickups due to the census to Democrats. Florida’s House has not been much better on the issue. Governor. DeSantis to provide a witness to argue the governor’s case for a legal map. After he had argued the governor’s case for a legal map, he turned and allowed the dismissal of the witness who was present because the House wanted him to.

Tyler Sirois, a Florida State Representative, went as far to oppose any attempt at altering the current map. Actively supporting arguments that minority representation is superior to legal questions regarding district compactness.

“We’re here, big picture, trying to weigh what is best for the residents of Florida,” said Rep. Christine Hunschofsky, D-Parkland.

She asked if there was “a compelling justification” to have less representation from minority candidates “in favor of more compactness?”

Popper continued to warn. “This district is going to have problems in federal court,” he said.

By the end of the meeting, Sirois commended Hunschofsky because her question “just cut to the heart of the matter.”

He then read the redistricting standards of the Florida Constitution and concluded: “We have to follow the law.”

“I want to assuage any doubt that may be in front of you today,” he said. “This is a legally sound map. It’s a constitutionally compliant map. Please join me in voting yes.”

RedState was told by a source that the Republicans are trying to prevent Al Lawson, Democrat Representative of Florida’s District 5, from losing his seat. He currently holds Florida’s District 5, which is, in the opinion of many legal scholars, an illegal district. Florida House decided to not fix the issue and instead renamed the District 5 (it’s a new name on the map) drawing the area to be over 200 miles long to connect two different minorities. This is how these Florida Republicans see it: they support an illegal gerrymander that will boost Democrats.

As I said in my previous article on this matter, I’m flabbergasted at how this is unfolding. Why are these Republicans so invested in protecting the seats of the opposing political party to the point where they’d risk having their entire map thrown out as unconstitutional? It begs the question, who butters their bread for this outcome?

On his part, Governor. DeSantis, for his part, has pledged to veto any plan that contains an illegal district.

BREAKING: @GovRonDeSantis announced earlier today during a press conference that he will veto any congressional map with “unconstitutional districts” and the legislature can “take that to the bank.” pic.twitter.com/pzyxsNgWwF

— Bryce_FL (@Bryce__FL) February 28, 2022

That’s what leadership looks like, but it’s insane that he’s even having to levy that threat. Republicans need to understand the stakes going November’s mid-term. Redistricting is a game that Democrats play to win in their respective states. It is impossible for the GOP to afford districts. All of this inside baseball must stop.

DeSantis’ move sets up a big showdown which would require calling a special legislative session, and it’s a fight worth having. We’ll see how that goes, but time is running out to get this process done.