GOP-led Florida Legislature approves new congressional maps that DeSantis vows to veto

Florida’s Republican-controlled Legislature on Friday approved a set of doomed congressional maps that Gov. Ron DeSantis has pledged to veto, leaving the state’s redistricting in limbo with just days left in the 2022 session. The state’s House and Senate, split largely along party lines, voted in favor of a new map that dismantles the north Florida congressional seat held by Rep. Al Lawson, a Black Democrat from Tallahassee, and would let the GOP likely pick up two seats. Florida is just one of four states left in the nation without approved congressional maps, raising a host of legal questions since the state needs to redraw its districts after picking up a new seat during the once-in-a-decade census.

But even though the new map approved by Republicans would increase their advantage, DeSantis made clear he remains opposed to it. “I will veto the congressional reapportionment plan currently being debated by the House. DOA,” DeSantis said on Twitter. Despite DeSantis issuing a blunt warning, the Florida House went ahead and approved the new map by a 67-47 vote, with seven Republicans voting with Democrats against the proposal. In the Senate, the vote was 24-15, with one Democrat, Sen. Audrey Gibson, breaking ranks and voting yes. Gibson, who is from Jacksonville and is leaving office due to term limits, could run in the new district that Republicans crafted to replace Lawson’s seat. Senate Republicans contended the latest proposal was constitutional, but DeSantis during a morning press conference said he would not back down because he and his lawyers had “legal concerns.” “I don’t bluff,” DeSantis said. “What makes you think when I say I’m going to do something that I’m not going to follow through? I don’t make declarations lightly.”