Florida & NY Redistricting News, Alaska GOP Endorsement and More

By Jim Ellis

April 26, 2022:

Redistricting

Florida: DeSantis’ Signs Map — On Friday, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) took the final step toward adopting the new Florida congressional plan by signing the bill that the legislature passed. Immediately, several groups, the League of Women Voters of Florida, Black Voters Matter Capacity Building Institute, Equal Ground Education Fund, and Florida Rising Together, along with several individuals filed suit in state court to overturn the map. They claim the new draw violates the “Fair Districts” amendment to the Florida Constitution that voters passed in 2010, which pertains to gerrymandering and minority representation. It is likely the Florida state Supreme Court will ultimately decide the matter.

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New York: Appeals Court Upholds Map Rejection — A five-judge New York Appellate Division panel upheld a lower court ruling that the new congressional map violates the New York constitution as an illegal partisan gerrymander. The congressional plan would likely elect 22 Democrats and 4 Republicans. The current map divides 19D-8R. New York lost one congressional district in national reapportionment.

Democratic leaders are already saying they will appeal to the state’s highest court, the New York Court of Appeals. Resolution of the Empire State map situation could be key to the impending midterm congressional election cycle. Under New York procedure, the map still stands because it has not yet been fully decided in the appeals process.

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AK-AL: AK Republican Party Endorses Begich — The Alaska Republican Party took an official stand in the special election that is scheduled for June 11th, with the succeeding four-person runoff on the political calendar for August 16th. The AK GOP endorsed software executive Nick Begich III, the grandson of the late former Congressman Nick Begich (D), and nephew of ex-Democratic US Senator Mark Begich.

The Alaska Republican State Central Committee took the action even though former Governor and 2008 Vice Presidential nominee Sarah Palin is also in the huge field of 48 candidates all vying to replace the late Congressman Don Young (R). Earlier in the week, Ms. Palin’s former in-laws, Jim and Faye Palin, also publicly announced they are backing Mr. Begich. One way the party justified their endorsement is to explain that Mr. Begich was the only one of the 13 GOP contenders to follow the party procedure for requesting formal support.

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Governor

Alabama: Gov. Ivey in Position for Outright Win — A new internal Tarrance Group survey for Gov. Kay Ivey’s (R) re-election campaign (4/18-20; 600 AL likely Republican primary voters; live interview) finds the incumbent in position to win re-nomination outright in the May 24th Republican primary election. Failing to reach the 50% support mark would send the nomination battle into a secondary June 21st runoff election between the top two finishers.

The Tarrance results project Gov. Ivey holding a 57% preference figure. Following are former US Ambassador to Slovenia Lindy Blanchard with 14% and businessman Tim James, son of former Alabama Governor Fob James, posting 12% support. The Republican nomination battle in the Yellowhammer State is tantamount to winning re-election in November.