Ron DeSantis Drops the Hammer on Florida’s Republican Surrender Caucus – Opinion

I’ve been following the redistricting saga unfolding in Florida for months now, and it’s one of the more infuriating stories in the country. The Democrats may have gone all out in gerrymandering, in some states such as New York, Illinois, or Maryland, but the GOP-controlled Florida legislature is on a course of complete surrender.

Back in January, Redstate reported on the Florida Senate’s redistricting map that broke down 16-12 Republican to Democrat, essentially gaining no ground. The expectation was that the Florida House (also run by Republicans) would create an aggressive map to take advantage of the newly gained seat.

House Republicans joined hands with Democrats and argued that racial allocation overrode the constitutional requirements for district compactness. It allowed a racially gerrymandered Democrat seat to be retained in the northern portion of Florida while also preserving South Florida’s blue districts.

Florida Governor. Ron DeSantis opposed any maps that he believes are illegally passed. He renounced the Hammer today and unconditionally pledged to veto the mapLegislative passed.

People were saying that he wouldn’t veto the bill. Okay? After seeing me for however many years…What makes you think I’m not going to follow through? It’s not something I take lightly. So when I say, you know, expect this — they should expect it.” @GovRonDeSantis pic.twitter.com/tO6XNVVJkX

— Christina Pushaw 🇺🇸 (@ChristinaPushaw) March 4, 2022

DeSantis has a reputation for bringing the heat to public speaking engagements. After addressing those who said he wouldn’t actually veto the map, the governor stated, “What makes you think, after seeing me for however many years, what makes you think that when I say I’m going to do something, that I’m not going to follow through?”

Responding to this promise, Senate Redistricting Chairman Ray Rodrigues (a Republican) had the following to say.

“We believe these maps to be constitutionally valid,” said Senate Redistricting Chair Ray Rodrigues, R-Estero. He said about DeSantis, “He doesn’t get to say, ‘I want this map, and not that map,’ ” adding that redistricting lies within the authority of the Legislature.

I can’t quite put my finger on the reason, but it’s clear that some of the Republicans in the legislature really don’t like DeSantis. Is it because he wasn’t a coward who bowed to the COVID hysterics on useless, ineffective mitigation measures like mask mandates? Or is it because DeSantis is assertive and pushes forward with measures that the majority of Floridians want, even if it’s uncomfortable for the establishment class?

Whatever the reason, it’s utterly ridiculous that things have gotten to this point. Florida’s GOP-dominated Legislature should adopt a map to maximize their majority. This is similar to what Democrats have done in New York City and other places. It is unimaginable to give up on redistricting, particularly in these difficult times.

What’s next? That’s a complicated question to answer. DeSantis can veto the map and call a special session to give the legislature the chance to resolve the issue, but it is unlikely. There is another possibility that DeSantis’ veto could be overridden by enough Republicans or Democrats to allow them to come together. Lastly, it’s possible the Florida Supreme Court ends up taking over the process, which could see some redistricting provisions challenged.

Regardless, it does appear the worst-case scenario here is an 18-10 R to D map come November, a step down from DeSantis’ proposed 20-8 R to D map. But the real fight lies ahead of the cycle, when the legislature’s current map may mean Republicans could only make even. That’s just not acceptable. As I’ve said before, this is a fight worth having, and there’s no one I’d trust more to wage it than Ron DeSantis.