The Fight For the District Kingdoms

In November of 2010, Florida voters approved ballot amendments 5 and 6. Florida will be awarded two new Congressional seats in 2012. Amendment 5 and Amendment 6 was designed to change the way Congressional districts are drawn.

Amendment 5

In establishing Legislative district boundaries:
(1) No apportionment plan or district shall be drawn with the intent to favor or disfavor a political party or an incumbent; and districts shall not be drawn with the intent or result of denying or abridging the equal opportunity of racial or language minorities to participate in the political process or to diminish their ability to elect representatives of their choice; and districts shall consist of contiguous territory.

(2) Unless compliance with the standards in this subsection conflicts with the standards in subsection (1) or with federal law, districts shall be as nearly equal in population as is practicable; districts shall be compact; and districts shall, where feasible, utilize existing political and geographical boundaries.

(3) The order in which the standards within sub-sections (1) and (2) of this section are set forth shall not be read to establish any priority of one standard over the other within that subsection.

Amendment 6

In establishing Congressional district boundaries:
(1) No apportionment plan or individual district shall be drawn with the intent to favor or disfavor a political party or an incumbent; and districts shall not be drawn with the intent or result of denying or abridging the equal opportunity of racial or language minorities to participate in the political process or to diminish their ability to elect representatives of their choice; and districts shall consist of contiguous territory.

(2) Unless compliance with the standards in this subsection conflicts with the standards in subsection (1) or with federal law, districts shall be as nearly equal in population as is practicable; districts shall be compact; and districts shall, where feasible, utilize existing political and geographical boundaries.

(3) The order in which the standards within sub-sections

Changing the redistricting process as been a longtime goal for Florida progressives. Newly elected Florida Democratic Party chairman Rod Smith said the he will fight to legally make sure districts are drawn under the voter approved constitutional guidelines. Florida Senate President Mike Haridopolos snidely remarked, "I call it the full employment for lawyers' bill." The voter approved amendments were not a "bill." It makes me wonder if the new Florida Senate leader understands the legislative process.

Senate Democrat Gary Siplin has voiced his disapproval of Amendment 5 and Amendment 6. Siplin has been known to vote with Republicans. The only thing Siplin is concerned about his his own Senate district.

Siplin and Rep. Corrine Brown said the new redistricting guidelines will not protect African-American voters. The amendments are written to protect minority voters. What likely concerns Siplin and Brown is that computers will be used to redraw districts. Sen. Haridopolos planned on using computers before the approval of the amendments. The amendments require that the districts be drawn in a reasonable square and contoured manner. Siplin's and Brown's districts bear closer resemblance to Jackson Pollock paintings than anything with right angles. The same can be said for every member of the Florida legislature and the Congressional delegation.

Brown and Republican Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart have filed a lawsuit against the new redistricting law.

BROWN: "I was extremely disappointed in the passage of amendments 5 and 6. Congressman Diaz-Balart and I introduced a lawsuit this morning, and will continue our fight against these misguided, deceptive amendments in the federal courts. I am absolutely convinced that if they are carried out as prescribed, our state will immediately revert to the time period prior to 1992, when Florida was devoid of African American or Hispanic representation."

The ACLU has filed a motion against Brown. The ACLU is a defendant in the case. The ACLU called pre-approved Amendment 5 and Amendment 6 districting process a "rigged and broken system." The Florida Supreme court approved the ballot language of Amendment 5 and Amendment 6. It is doubtful Brown's and Diaz-Balart's lawsuit will go far.

Now that the new districting system is in the Florida constitution what does it mean to Democrats? Unfortunately. The success of Amendment 5 and Amendment 6 becoming law alone will not change the fortunes of Florida Democrats. Republicans have filibuster-proof majorities in the Florida House and Senate. There are only a handful of Democrats that will be working on redrawing districts on a federal and state level. It is hard for Democrats to change the rules of the game when they do not have enough elected officials to field a team.

Haridopolos, Marco Rubio, Ray Sansom, and David Rivera have been involved in various corruption scandals related to they service in the Florida legislature. Hoping for Republicans to draw up districts that will take away their dominance is pure fantasy. The Republican Party of Florida and legislative GOP members will mount a fierce campaign against fair district changes.

The Florida Democratic Party is broken. Democrats are putting their faith in a new chairman who has lost two statewide races and most famous moment is the much mocked helicopter ad.



It is doubtful Smith is going to significantly increase Democrats chances of getting elected to the Florida legislature any time in the foreseeable future. Haridopolos' prediction of lawsuits looks increasingly likely. The redistricting fight will get uglier as Florida again becomes a presidential battleground state.

"For he that holds his kingdom holds the law."

William Shakespeare, King John, 3.1

The people that make laws in Tallahassee have every intention of keeping their kingdom.

Update: Gary Fineout tweeted this.

Plus, U.S. Reps. Brown and Diaz-Balart have now changed lawsuit so it is against (Rick) Scott and SOS (Kurt) Browning.

Alex Sink Endorsements

Florida's Democratic delegation has endorsed Alex Sink for Governor. The Florida Democratic Party is quickly rally around Sink.

U.S. Rep. Allen Boyd (FL - District 2)

U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown (FL - District 3)

U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL - District 11)
"Like so many Floridians I am pleased to hear the great news that Alex Sink is running for Governor. We need Alex to continue to be a watchdog for Florida's resources and stand up for all of us against the special interests in Tallahassee. I am personally pleased that we can continue our partnership, working to expand health insurance for children, and fighting for seniors to stop Medicare fraud."

U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson (FL - District 8)

U.S. Rep. Alcee L. Hastings (FL - District 23)
"Alex Sink is an accomplished business woman who has demonstrated her excellence as CFO of the State of Florida. She will not only be the next Governor of Florida, she will be an excellent Governor. I stand behind her candidacy and will campaign for her tirelessly to ensure that she gets elected."

U.S. Rep. Ron Klein (FL - District 22)
"I am proud to announce my endorsement of Alex Sink for Governor of Florida. CFO Sink has demonstrated strong and steady leadership in Tallahassee, working hard every day for Florida's families. Her experience in the business world makes her uniquely qualified to guide our state during these difficult economic times. I look forward to continuing to stand side-by-side with Alex through her election next November and beyond."

U.S. Rep. Suzanne Kosmas (FL - District 24)
"Alex Sink understands the need to work towards common-sense, fiscally-responsible solutions that will help middle-class families and get Florida's economy back on the right track. Her experience as a business leader and her personal commitment to improving the quality of life for all of Florida's communities for many years make Alex the kind of person we need as governor for Florida's future. She will bring a fresh approach and strong leadership to Tallahassee and I am proud to endorse her candidacy for governor of our great state."

U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek (FL - District 17)

U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL - District 20)

U.S. Rep. Robert Wexler (FL - District 19)
"There are few elected officials who are as impressive as Alex Sink and I am proud to endorse her for Governor. As CFO, she utilized her years of business experience to save Floridians money and safeguard their investments. As Governor, she will have the leadership skills and knowhow to rebuild Florida's economy and get our state moving again."

I read a commenter on Facebook wish Sink would get a primary opponent. The question is what candidate would be foolish enough to challenge Sink. Pay no intention to what Mayor Pam Iorio told Sue Carlton about wanting to serve out her term. Iorio left the Supervisor of Election office to become Mayor and Jeb Bush appointed Buddy Johnson as her replacement. (How did that work out?) Iorio knows Tampa area Democrats are firmly behind Sink. Sink is the most popular Democratic politician in Tampa. Iorio doesn't come close.