FL-27: Ileana Ros-Lehtinen to retire from Congress

[Skill and Chance]

This is basically the reverse of TN-08 or TN-06 in 2010 when Tanner and Gordon retired.  The opposite party's landslide margin at the top of the ballot eventually swamps a longstanding local political machine.  

[Skill and Chance]

Rick Scott is term limited in 2018.    After 2018 there would only be the 2020 election before redistricting anyway,  I really doubt they would draw a new map for 1 election.

Scott has claimed that in the literal 1-2 minute window where before he leaves office & the scotus justices are officially forced to retire, he can fill the seats, which means he can make the entire bench red.

I think it goes against the spirit of the rules, but whatever. Expecting most politicians - especially ones like Scott (or, say, most NC Republicans), to not be greasy hacks is way beyond the scope of reasonable thought at this point.

Well, that would obviously lead to a lawsuit.  Let's see where that goes.  Would the existing justices refuse to swear the new ones in until after it was resolved? 

Also, if Dems can finally pick up FL-GOV next year, none of this will matter for redistricting anyway.

[Skill and Chance]

Rick Scott is term limited in 2018.    After 2018 there would only be the 2020 election before redistricting anyway,  I really doubt they would draw a new map for 1 election.

Scott has claimed that in the literal 1-2 minute window where before he leaves office & the scotus justices are officially forced to retire, he can fill the seats, which means he can make the entire bench red.

I think it goes against the spirit of the rules, but whatever. Expecting most politicians - especially ones like Scott (or, say, most NC Republicans), to not be greasy hacks is way beyond the scope of reasonable thought at this point.

Well, that would obviously lead to a lawsuit.  Let's see where that goes.  Would the existing justices refuse to swear the new ones in until after it was resolved?  

Also, if Dems can finally pick up FL-GOV next year, none of this will matter for redistricting anyway.

It's almost as if we have precedent....such as Democrat Lawton Chiles nominating 2 judges after his party lost the 1998 election!

Of course, Rick Scott is a great man and has been preparing for his moment. The nominating commission will put forward great candidates.

Nowadays, the nominating commission is mostly chosen by the governor. And Great Rick Scott has been slamming down lists full of good for nothing leftists. The groundwork has been laid.

Tell that to Obama.