Florida Governor DeSantis Accused of Racial Discrimination in Congressional District Redrawing

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is facing allegations of racial discrimination in a federal court trial over his support for a congressional map that dispersed Black voters across four North Florida districts won by white Republicans while eliminating a seat held by a Black Democrat. Attorneys representing voter advocacy groups, including Common Cause, the NAACP, Fair Districts Now, and individual voters, argued that DeSantis sought to eliminate the Tallahassee to Jacksonville district held by U.S. Rep. Al Lawson, showing a disregard for Black voters’ opportunities.

The trial, before a three-judge panel, began with claims that Governor DeSantis was determined to remove the Black opportunity district in North Florida. DeSantis endorsed a congressional map that was eventually approved by the Republican-dominated Legislature in a special session, leading to the reshuffling of congressional districts.

J. Alex Kelly, the governor’s chief mapmaker and acting chief-of-staff, testified as the first witness in the trial. Kelly stated that DeSantis viewed the reestablishment of an east-west North Florida district favorable to a Black candidate as an illegal racial gerrymander, even though this district was initially created by the Florida Supreme Court in 2015. Kelly claimed that DeSantis believed this district violated the federal constitution’s equal protection clause.

While DeSantis’s opinion on the law was noted, critics pointed out that the Florida Supreme Court had ordered the district to be implemented, making it a pivotal factor in the decision. The trial also raised questions about which court decisions DeSantis relied on to conclude that the Tallahassee to Jacksonville district violated the equal protection clause, as no such ruling was cited.

The attorney for the state argued that the voter advocacy groups were misinterpreting the equal protection clause, accusing them of “turning equal protection on its head.”

Governor DeSantis has previously touted the redistricting effort as a success for his party, helping the GOP gain control of Congress. However, the map has faced legal challenges, with a Leon County Circuit Judge ruling it unconstitutional. The case is now before the 1st District Court of Appeal, raising concerns about potential delays in redrawing the congressional map.

The federal trial is seen as a potential path to a quicker resolution, which could determine whether state lawmakers must redraw the map and reinstate Lawson’s old district before the 2024 elections. Lawson has expressed interest in running if the district is restored. Concerns remain about potential delays in the state court system, where the majority of justices have been appointed by DeSantis.

Recent U.S. Supreme Court rulings have bolstered the claims of voter advocacy groups, and the outcome of this federal trial may impact redistricting cases in other states grappling with issues of race and redistricting.