Congressman and Florida gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds (R-FL) praised Gov. Ron DeSantis for moving forward with plans to redraw the state's congressional makeup while speaking to reporters on Wednesday.
"The governor has done the right thing on behalf of the people of Florida," Donalds said. "I think the maps are representative of the political framework of our state."
"If you go back to the Census in 2020, we all know that the Biden administration actually delayed the results of the Census when they first came in. In that delay, we do believe, wholeheartedly, that Florida lost a seat because of malfeasance, because of the Biden administration," Donalds added.
Rep. Donalds, who is running to replace Gov. DeSantis, indicated the Biden administration went to a "statistical modeling analysis" as opposed to a raw count of people who responded to the Census.
"We think that not only hurt Florida, but also hurt Texas," Donalds said.
The House approved Gov. DeSantis's new congressional map on Wednesday. It is currently being deliberated in the Senate, where it is expected to pass.
The measure also received a big boost after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a Louisiana congressional map as an unconstitutional racial gerrymander on Wednesday. The 6-3 vote, based on Louisiana v. Callais, ruled that the state's map leaned too much on race in drawing district lines, weakening the Voting Rights Act.
Gov. DeSantis praised the decision following the ruling on social media.
Yes, you bet your beep he’s right.
DeSantis knows how to win. America’s Governor, #1 in USA. 59% approval, the most admired Republican office holder in GOP nationally. DeSantis in 28, no chance Vance.
Good job America’s Governor.
I wonder what the republikkklans latest Uncle Tom has to say about his hero, The Meatball’s, new ‘US history’ course, written by a right-wing hack, that doesn’t mention racism once in 214 pages.