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csziggy

(34,189 posts)
23. I got caught in the redistricting last time around here in Florida
Wed Apr 26, 2017, 07:11 PM
Apr 2017

I used to be in District 2 which at the time was held by Gwen Graham, former Gov. & Sen. Bob Graham's daughter. During the re-do of the redistricting that was ordered by the court, a tendril of District 5 worked its way into Leon County all the way into the middle of Tallahassee and cut out a significant portion of Democratic voters from District 5. It also puts the FSU and FAMU campuses into District 2 which is deeply red and dilutes the progressive votes in Leon County.

District 5 had been held by Corrine Brown who sued over the change and lost. A state representative from Tallahassee, Al Lawson ran against her in the primaries and won the seat in the general election so District 5 is still in Democratic hands.

Gwen Graham decided not to run for re-election in District 2 and that seat went back to the Republicans.

I object to the change mostly because where I live has little in common with the rest of District 5 - which runs all the way to Jacksonville. Although I am a Florida native I can count the number of times I have been to Jacksonville on the fingers of one hand. On the other hand I have in laws in Panama City and visit on a regular basis. I also object to solid blue Leon County and our blue neighbors in Gadsden and Jefferson being carved up so our votes count for less than they used to.

Here is what District 2 used to look like:


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florida%27s_2nd_congressional_district

Here is what District 2 and five look like now:

http://floridapolitics.com/archives/186391-in-wake-of-historic-redistricting-decision-here-are-maps-maps-maps-detailing-the-possible-changes

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

I had read something about that awhile ago Cha Apr 2017 #1
Thanks Cha! Starry Messenger Apr 2017 #4
We can definitely use the info! Cha Apr 2017 #8
Isn't it amazing? gratuitous Apr 2017 #2
1000x NO! Totally agree! Starry Messenger Apr 2017 #6
Same thing for NC and a bunch of other gerrymandered state legislatures. octoberlib Apr 2017 #3
Rev. Barber is a hero of mine, so I have been following NC's electoral fortunes a bit. Starry Messenger Apr 2017 #7
Some Dems let corporate media convince them that gerrymandering, voter purges, restricted voting blm Apr 2017 #5
Right?? Starry Messenger Apr 2017 #9
If the goal is to simply attack the party and Democratic leaders and candidates, one Vesper Apr 2017 #36
Our side just doesn't do a good job of explaining gerrymandering to the masses in order to get them nikibatts Apr 2017 #10
+1 million .It's all about the mid-terms. octoberlib Apr 2017 #12
Good point on asking Perez to start this movement. Starry Messenger Apr 2017 #13
Can't we use viral video to help spread that message? Vesper Apr 2017 #37
We can, it's just that many folks who aren't nerdy like us might not devote 20 minutes. Starry Messenger Apr 2017 #40
But it's John Oliver!!! Vesper Apr 2017 #41
It is! He does make the subject accessible. Starry Messenger Apr 2017 #42
Republican got 3 million more votes in 2016 in House elections. former9thward Apr 2017 #11
This. Gerrymandering is real but we have a huge geography problem as well Amishman Apr 2017 #45
NC is even worse dsc Apr 2017 #14
I can't even imagine how that must feel. Starry Messenger Apr 2017 #15
believe it or not dsc Apr 2017 #18
K&R demmiblue Apr 2017 #16
Yes. L. Coyote Apr 2017 #17
Great graphic! xo Starry Messenger Apr 2017 #19
kick & recommended. William769 Apr 2017 #20
Thank you, friend! xo Starry Messenger Apr 2017 #21
Anytime. William769 Apr 2017 #22
I got caught in the redistricting last time around here in Florida csziggy Apr 2017 #23
Whoa! Starry Messenger Apr 2017 #24
It also makes campaigning difficult csziggy Apr 2017 #28
Damn we need to restructure how this all works. retrowire Apr 2017 #25
Ironically some of the gridlock in Congress was self-inflicted by the GOP. Starry Messenger Apr 2017 #27
Only free and fair elections will "Make America Great Again". oasis Apr 2017 #26
K & R for exposure. SunSeeker Apr 2017 #29
I thought it was because of DWS. NurseJackie Apr 2017 #30
I thought it was because of Dems failing to connect. NurseJackie Apr 2017 #31
I thought it was because of not earning the vote. NurseJackie Apr 2017 #32
They should have been zentrum Apr 2017 #33
This is our future here. brer cat Apr 2017 #34
Yes, let's hope it isn't all talk. Ligyron Apr 2017 #35
I hope so too. Starry Messenger Apr 2017 #43
Without DOJ it will be a long uphill slog. brer cat Apr 2017 #44
Gerrymandering is what ruined NC obamanut2012 Apr 2017 #38
It is so evil--it isn't democracy. Starry Messenger Apr 2017 #39
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