Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ Office has submitted its proposed congressional redistricting map.
The map, submitted by Deputy Chief Of Staff J. Alex Kelly, would be a 20-8 Trump-Biden split, a potential pickup of four seats for Republicans.
Per a source, Senate Reapportionment Chair Rodrigues said the map came after “meaningful discussions” with Senate legal counsel.
DeSantis had vetoed two maps in March that were passed by fellow Republicans in the legislature, arguing they featured unconstitutional racial gerrymandering.
The legislature agreed not to draw a new map and instead allow DeSantis to draw Florida’s new district lines, state House Speaker Chris Sprowls and state Senate President Wilton Simpson said in a memo to state lawmakers on Monday.
“At this time, Legislative reapportionment staff is not drafting or producing a map for introduction during the special session,” the lawmakers wrote. “We are awaiting a communication from the governor’s office with a map that he will support.”
“Like other general bills, the governor has a role in establishing congressional districts of the state,” it said. “Therefore, our goal during the special session is to pass a new congressional map that will both earn the Governor’s signature and withstand legal scrutiny, if challenged,” they said.
According to a source, Governor DeSantis’ staff will brief the Sen. Reapportionment Committee at 1:30 p.m. on Tues April 19, 2022.
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