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In reply to the discussion: "Did you know that while Democrats won 1.1 million more votes in Congressional races in 2012 [View all]csziggy
(34,189 posts)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:
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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