Longtime Democrat’s congressional district nixed by Governor

Longtime Democratic Rep. Al Lawson is without a congressional home. Gov. Ron DeSantis finalized a congressional redistricting map last week that dramatically redraws Lawson’s Panhandle district, CD 5. The sprawling district spanned across Tallahassee to Jacksonville.

DeSantis argued the district in its current form is a racial gerrymander that violates the U.S. Constitution. Opponents, though, maintain the move is a disservice to minorities.

DeSantis notably vetoed the original maps drawn up by lawmakers over objections to the district, among others.

“It is alarming that state legislators cannot fulfill their constitution duties without political meddling,” Lawson told Florida Politics.

– Jason Delgado, Florida Politics