I feel more comfortable calling Ron DeSantis an intellectual than a politician. His most notable achievement was his handling of redistricting Florida.
After initially proposing a 16-12 map, the state legislature, which is run entirely by Republicans, settled on an 18-10 map. This was a ridiculous giveaway to Florida’s GOP gains. However, the map still retained a racial gerrymander that protected a Democrat from FL-5. DeSantis pledged to veto that bill despite opposition from his party. He did as he promised.
DeSantis won the game. Here’s what it looks like.
The map from DeSantis is out. The plan is largely similar to previous maps. It’s 20-8 Trump over Biden. #flapol #sayfie pic.twitter.com/D55jXl3maQ
— Florida Data Geek 🇺🇦 (@MappingFL) April 13, 2022
Notice how there is no 200-mile-long Democrat district in northern Florida. It runs from Jacksonville up to Tallahassee. DeSantis refused to let them lose, no matter what.
Now the map will go to a vote. But, I don’t think they will. I believe the map will be complete.
This section shows the fury of DeSantis’ leftwing, which completely overwhelms everyone.
If this 20R-8D FL map passes and withstands court challenges, it could net Republicans four additional seats, entirely wiping out Dems’ national redistricting gains thus far. https://t.co/7MU6BaPrDM
— Dave Wasserman (@Redistrict) April 13, 2022
We weren’t kidding when we wrote this in October. Now, with FL’s GOP legislature poised to adopt something proposed by Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), Rs could replace 16R-11D w/ as lopsided as 20R-8D, wiping out Dems’ national remap gains – if courts let them. https://t.co/VlAyzLgU28
— Dave Wasserman (@Redistrict) April 13, 2022
The left may feel panic and ask for help from the courts. DeSantis made the Florida Supreme Court a constitutional conservatives sandbox. While the court does not have the legal basis to strike down this map, it is unlikely to do so on political grounds.
This all adds up to the fact that Democrats who thought they outmaneuvered Republicans this year in redistricting are now feeling pain, loathing, and disillusionment. Once the DeSantis maps go into effect, this will erase any gains that Democrats made since Alabama and Ohio won court battles over their redistricting maps.
DeSantis is worthy of my highest praise.
