Judge invalidates Florida's congressional districts, appeal is likely

[minionofmidas]

I agree that that is much more reasonable, and that such a map should have been drawn under a fair interpretation of the law.

And yet, have you had a look at Pinellas County's racial population distribution? That Black enclave in Petersburg is incredibly contained, and (I forget who... the state NAACP? The area's local representative)'s proposed map included the area in CD-14.

[politicallefty]

I agree that that is much more reasonable, and that such a map should have been drawn under a fair interpretation of the law.

And yet, have you had a look at Pinellas County's racial population distribution? That Black enclave in Petersburg is incredibly contained, and (I forget who... the state NAACP? The area's local representative)'s proposed map included the area in CD-14.

Whoever proposes districts like that is guilty of partisan gerrymandering. It is not a district that is protected by the VRA. Even worse, it's strictly water contiguity that joins the two separate parts together. There are three bridges that cross the Tampa Bay, all of which are well to the north of the FL-14 crossing. FL-14 is designed solely to remove the most Democratic precincts from what would otherwise be included in FL-13. A FL-13 with all of St. Petersburg entirely within Pinellas County would likely turn Democratic in little time.

I don't really trust the local representation. They just want their safe seats. Corrine Brown of the current FL-05 wanted to have Florida's new redistricting scheme struck down in federal court, and not surprisingly is strongly opposed to this new judicial ruling. Virtually all incumbents will do whatever it takes to hold onto their safe seats.

[Donerail]

Redraw has been mandated by mid-August.

[Flake]

Redraw has been mandated by mid-August.

Finally.

[Antonio the Sixth]

Redraw has been mandated by mid-August.

Wonderful!

[Donerail]

Redraw has been mandated by mid-August.

Wonderful!

Actually, this is probably awful. Sure, we might get another House seat out of it, but it means the Legislature will be called into special session to redraw the maps. Legislators, including vulnerable Democratic incumbents (Clelland, Zimmermann, Danish, Sachs), are forbidden from fundraising during session. If GOP leadership in the Legislature causes the session to drag on for a few weeks, we could see a fundraising gap open (or, in most cases, widen further) in those races, and if the Republicans pick up 1 State Senate seat and 5 House seats they've got a supermajority in both chambers and the Governor's race was for nothing.

[Antonio the Sixth]

Redraw has been mandated by mid-August.

Wonderful!

Actually, this is probably awful. Sure, we might get another House seat out of it, but it means the Legislature will be called into special session to redraw the maps. Legislators, including vulnerable Democratic incumbents (Clelland, Zimmermann, Danish, Sachs), are forbidden from fundraising during session. If GOP leadership in the Legislature causes the session to drag on for a few weeks, we could see a fundraising gap open (or, in most cases, widen further) in those races, and if the Republicans pick up 1 State Senate seat and 5 House seats they've got a supermajority in both chambers and the Governor's race was for nothing.

That will only be for two years; this redistricting will be in place for eight. Besides, wouldn't both parties be hurt equally by the lack of fundraising?

[Donerail]

Redraw has been mandated by mid-August.

Wonderful!

Actually, this is probably awful. Sure, we might get another House seat out of it, but it means the Legislature will be called into special session to redraw the maps. Legislators, including vulnerable Democratic incumbents (Clelland, Zimmermann, Danish, Sachs), are forbidden from fundraising during session. If GOP leadership in the Legislature causes the session to drag on for a few weeks, we could see a fundraising gap open (or, in most cases, widen further) in those races, and if the Republicans pick up 1 State Senate seat and 5 House seats they've got a supermajority in both chambers and the Governor's race was for nothing.

That will only be for two years; this redistricting will be in place for eight. Besides, wouldn't both parties be hurt equally by the lack of fundraising?

No, since it's only a ban on fundraising for incumbents - challengers are free to continue to raise, and there's a lot more seats with vulnerable Dem incumbents than potential Dem pickups.