Senate bows to DeSantis with map boosting GOP at expense of Black Democrats – By John Kennedy (USA Today Network) / April 20, 2022
TALLAHASSEE – The state Senate bowed to Gov. Ron DeSantis’ demand and approved Wednesday a congressional redistricting map that could boost Republican seats in Congress from Florida, while cutting in half those held by Black Democrats.
The plan was advanced 24-15 in a party-line vote after Democrats repeatedly attacked the new boundaries as hyperpartisan and hurtful to Black voters.
“When you begin to trample on marginalized people … that’s when you have to do some self-reflection and see if what you’re doing is right,” said Sen. Shevrin Jones, D-West Park, who added that DeSantis had usurped the role of mapmaking that the state constitution tasks to the Legislature.