Overview
- Florida House and Senate panels advanced the governor’s congressional map Tuesday, setting up rapid floor votes as early as Wednesday.
- The plan would condense Democratic voters in Orlando, Tampa Bay and South Florida to target a 24–4 Republican split, up from the current 20–8.
- Jason Poreda, the governor’s map drawer, told lawmakers he used partisan voting data, which opponents say runs afoul of the state’s Fair Districts ban on partisan intent.
- Democrats and voting-rights groups are preparing state and federal lawsuits, and the governor’s attorney said passing the map is meant to force a court test of Fair Districts and the Voting Rights Act.
- Some Republicans voiced concern about overreach, and analysts warned thinner GOP margins could make seats like Mario Diaz-Balart’s more competitive in a less favorable year.