The state Legislature has released it base map for next week’s special session.
Lawmakers return to Tallahassee next Monday to redraw the state’s congressional borders, and Wednesday leadership released the map that will serve as the session’s starting point. Completely gone is the snaking North-South District 5 currently represented by Rep. Corrine Brown (D-FL5). Instead, it now runs along the northern border of the state from Liberty to Duval County. District 13 no longer crosses Tampa Bay, and that means Charlie Crist will likely face off against Eric Lynn for the district’s Democratic nomination.
But lawmakers may have their work cut out for them. The Florida Supreme Court struck down the previous map in part for the way it sliced up communities like St. Petersburg. Under the new map, Tallahassee gets similar treatment. The new District 5 has an appendage reaching down to pick up western and southern portions of the city which cost Rep. Gwen Graham (D-FL2) supporters.
There are similar questionable formations in District 20—a region straddling Palm Beach and Broward counties.
