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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. While Democrats have gone weapons hot, gerrymandering like crazy in states like New York, Illinois, and Maryland, the GOP-controlled legislature in Florida has charted a path of unconditional 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. At the time, it was expected that the Florida House, also run by Republicans, would step in and put together a far more aggressive map, taking advantage of the seat gained from the census.

Instead, House Republicans joined with Democrats to argue that racial apportionment overrode constitutional stipulations on district compactness. That allowed a racially gerrymandered, Democrat seat in the northern part of the state to remain intact while also preserving blue districts in South Florida.

For his part, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has been steadfastly opposed to the passage of any map that he views to be illegal. Today, he dropped the hammer, unconditionally pledging to veto the map passed by the legislature.

DeSantis always brings the heat when he speaks publicly, and this is no exception. 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?”

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In response to that promise, Senate Redistricting Chair Ray Rodrigues (a Republican), had this 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. A GOP-dominated legislature in Florida should be passing a map that takes full advantage of their majority, just as Democrats did in New York and elsewhere. To surrender on redistricting is inexplicable, especially during the tenous times currently plaguing the nation.

So where do things go from here? That’s a complicated question to answer. Once DeSantis vetos the map, he could call a special session, giving the legislature a chance to fix the issues, though it seems unlikely they would. Another possibility is that enough Republicans and Democrats get together to simply override his veto. 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. The real battle lies in the cycles ahead, though, where the current legislature-passed map could mean Republicans only break 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.

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