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The Hill
02-08-2025
- Politics
- The Hill
Florida GOP, DeSantis may follow Texas's lead
Florida Republicans are increasingly pushing to redraw the state's congressional lines following a similar move by the Texas GOP. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) said Wednesday he is 'very seriously' looking at asking the state Legislature to redraw the state's congressional map, arguing the 2020 census is flawed. Rep. Jimmy Patronis (R-Fla.) came out in favor of redistricting in a post on social platform X, writing that 'Texas can do it, the Free State of Florida can do it 10X better.' Florida Republicans say they were already headed in this direction following a state Supreme Court decision that upheld a congressional map supported by DeSantis and state Republicans. But the plan is gaining even more traction in the wake of Texas Republicans' unveiling of a new congressional map. 'It's picking up steam,' Florida GOP Chair Evan Power told The Hill. 'We were probably heading there with the court decision, but Texas made it top news.' Florida has seen an uptick in population growth following the coronavirus pandemic in 2020. The state has also become solidly Republican over the past decade, with Republicans growing their representation in Congress and once-Democratic strongholds like Miami-Dade and Osceola counties flipping from blue to red. A number of Democratic-held congressional seats could be impacted if redistricting were to take place, including those held in south Florida by Reps. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Jared Moskowitz and Lois Frankel. Rep. Kathy Castor (D) in the Tampa area and Rep. Darren Soto (D) outside of Orlando have also been floated as possible targets. Florida Republicans already hold a 20 to 8 advantage over Democrats in the congressional delegation. Republicans were boosted last month when the state's Supreme Court ruled to uphold a congressional map that blocked a challenge to the elimination of a majority-Black congressional district in the north of the state that previously was represented by former Rep. Al Lawson (D). The area that comprised the former congressional district is now divided among three Republican lawmakers. But DeSantis is not stopping there. The governor has argued that Florida got a 'raw deal' in the 2020 census when the state only gained one congressional seat. The governor said last month he had relayed his concerns to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick after he was sworn in earlier this year and that the Trump administration could be pursuing redoing the census. Additionally, the governor said he believes Florida's Fair District amendments, which a majority of voters approved of in 2010, could conflict with the U.S. Constitution. The amendments say that districts cannot be drawn in a way that hinders minorities voting for their choice of elected representatives. 'There's a lot of people who believe that the Fair District Amendments is unconstitutional, because what it does is, it mandates having race predominate,' DeSantis said this week. 'Whereas, neutrality should really be the constitutional standard.' Patronis also said in his X post that he believes the Fair District Amendments are unconstitutional 'because it violates freedom of speech AND elections are a states rights issue.' 'Time to add more conservatives to Congress, so we can better deliver on President Trump's agenda, finally win the war against woke, cut government waste, and create an economy that moves our country into a new age of prosperity,' Patronis said. Republicans argue that DeSantis and the state's Republicans could be setting an example for other red states to follow. 'DeSantis here sees an opportunity to be a trailblazer for the Republican Party in this sense in that he could be setting up a pilot program that Texas and some of the other states can actually follow,' a Florida Republican strategist said. 'Let's not disillusion ourselves, if he pulls this off, he will be a fan favorite of one person who sits at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue,' the strategist added, referring to Trump. So far, Republicans in the Florida state Legislature have remained publicly quiet about the prospect of pursuing redistricting. This year's state legislative session was extended from 60 days to 105 days and saw tensions emerge between DeSantis and members of his own party. State Rep. Alex Andrade, a vocal Republican critic of DeSantis, said he has not spoken to his colleagues about redistricting. The state lawmaker noted he would support the effort only if the census was redone. 'I get the partisan argument,' Andrade told The Hill. 'I understand we could make hay right now and benefit Republicans but at some point do I care more about my party or the Constitution?' 'If the census were redone, I'd jump all over it,' he said. Florida Democrats warn that a move by DeSantis and the state's Republicans would set a negative precedent. 'It would mean that the governor and the state legislative branch would completely capitulate under Donald Trump,' state House Minority Leader Fentrice Driskell (D) said. 'It's not supposed to be that the president gets to act like a king and say 'do this on my behalf.'' In a Facebook video posted by Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.), Soto accused Republicans of wanting to cheat in the election. 'They want to pick their voters rather than voters picking their representatives,' he said. 'You'll see us do whatever we can in the courts to make sure that the Fair Districts Amendments are enforced.' Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee spokesperson Madison Andrus dismissed the effort from Florida Republicans as 'a bold-faced attempt to save their flailing midterm performance by rigging the game.' The effort comes as the nationwide redistricting war heats up and both parties seek to gain seats ahead of next year's midterm elections. In addition to Republicans in Texas and potentially Florida taking a look at redistricting, Democrats in states like California and New Jersey are also exploring their options. 'There's an opportunity and if it better reflects the makeup of a state whether that's Texas or Florida, or to Gavin Newsom's point even California, then you should do it,' a national Republican strategist said. 'These redistricting efforts, if they comply with the law and meet all of the various federal thresholds to get mapped through, if you do that and do it quickly, you're going to increase the likelihood that the president and Republicans in Washington and going to be able to keep pushing things forward,' the strategist continued.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Former Democrat Brian Bengs launches independent bid for Mike Rounds' Senate seat in 2026
A once-Democratic nominee for South Dakota's U.S. Senate seat is now entering the 2026 election as an independent. Brian Bengs, a retired U.S. Air Force lieutenant colonel, attorney and former criminal justice professor at Northern State University, declared his candidacy in the 2026 election April 30. He is running for the seat held by Republican U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds, whose term ends Jan. 3, 2027. Rounds has not announced whether he will seek reelection. Bengs, a Hot Springs resident, previously ran on a Democratic ticket in 2022 as challenger to U.S. Sen. John Thune. Bengs lost to Thune, earning 26.1% of the vote to the incumbent's 69.6%. In an April 30 press release, Bengs stated he intends to "unite voters across the political spectrum who are unhappy with the dysfunctional status quo and instead want pragmatic, principled leadership pursuing solutions that will actually improve the lives of regular folks working hard to make ends meet." "South Dakotans deserve a senator who isn't a gutless robot for some political party and Big Money," Bengs stated. "I'm running because the system needs to hear from someone who understands the reality of most South Dakotans, lives like they do, does his own thinking, and isn't indebted to anyone but them." Bengs is the second candidate to launch a campaign for the seat. Democrat Julian Beadion, a Sioux Falls activist and former South Dakota state trooper, formally announced his own bid for the Senate seat April 10. More: Democrat Julian Beaudion announces US Senate run against Republican Mike Rounds in 2026 Rounds assumed his current office Jan. 3, 2015. He was South Dakota governor from 2003 to 2011. Rounds' war chest currently contains about $2.18 million cash on hand, according to FEC data. Both Beaudion and Bengs have established campaign committees with the FEC, but their financial statements have yet to be reported as of April 30. This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Brian Bengs launches independent bid for Mike Rounds' Senate seat 2026
Fox News
07-02-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Michigan sheriff who took off helmet, marched with protesters in 2020, launches bid to replace Gov. Whitmer
A high-profile sheriff in Michigan announced his bid to run for governor, replacing Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. First elected sheriff of Michigan's Genesee County in 2020, Chris Swanson's announcement on Thursday marks his full leap into politics after speaking at the Democratic National Convention last August. The race is shaping up to be one of the most fiercely contested political battles of 2026. Swanson first gained national attention in May 2020, just days after the police custody death of George Floyd in Minneapolis sparked nationwide protests against racial injustice. He famously took off his riot gear and marched alongside demonstrators after telling them: "I want to make this a parade, not a protest." His bid comes as the Democratic Party seeks a new kind of candidate who can address top voter concerns such as immigration and public safety, issues Swanson plans to make central to his campaign. Swanson formally announced his bid at Mott Community College, his alma mater, in Flint on Thursday night. He was joined by a packed house of more than 400 supporters from across the state. "When there's a challenge, we will solve it. When there's a crisis, we will bring calm. When there's an opportunity, we will seize it," Swanson said. "I believe everyone has value. Michigan has value. It's why I've always tried to find ways to help and bring people together. I believe that together, we are tough enough to win for Michigan." In entering the race, Swanson joins Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson in the Democratic primary, with Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II mulling a potential bid. On the Republican side, Aric Nesbitt, the top GOP state Senate leader, has announced his candidacy. U.S. Rep. John James ais lso considered to be a potential contender. Detroit's once-Democratic Mayor Mike Duggan further shook up the race by entering as an independent. Swanson has never won a race outside of Genesee County and he will be competing in the primary against Benson, who has won multiple statewide races and raised millions of dollars. Swanson remains largely unknown outside his county, which is about 70 miles northwest of Detroit. The sheriff's appeal as a non-traditional candidate could resonate in a battleground state like Michigan, where winning requires broad, cross-party support. In the 2024 election, Swanson was reelected with 65% of the vote in Genesee County — running nearly 14 percentage points ahead of Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris. Swanson's decision to remove his riot gear and march alongside protesters at a demonstration in Flint following Floyd's May 2020 death sparked national attention and praise from prominent Democrats, including Whitmer and former President Barack Obama. He said this month that police had planned for a different response, but "as I was walking up, I thought, there's got to be a better way." It also helped propel him to an appearance at the Democratic National Convention in August, where he wore his sheriff's uniform and endorsed Harris in a brief speech. The appearance was a rare show of law enforcement support for the then-vice president. Sheriffs in Michigan and across the country frequently aligned themselves with President Donald Trump during his tough-on-crime, anti-illegal immigration presidential campaign. Swanson's background could boost his appeal in a general election, especially as immigration remains a top voter concern. However, he may face challenges in the Democratic primary, where some in the party have made calls to "defund the police" and reform law enforcement. "It's time that we have a different type of candidate coming through the system, not just the next one up," said Swanson. "People, I think, are hungry for something new and fresh. Certainly the party is. And I'm that person." Swanson's gubernatorial bid was first announced in The Associated Press.
