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Statement by Congressman Al Lawson in Response to Ron Desantis's Redistricting Loss Before the Florida Supreme Court

Press Release

Date: Feb. 10, 2022
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Legislative Branch

On February 10, 2022, the Florida Supreme Court unanimously denied Ron DeSantis's request for an advisory opinion on whether lawmakers could legally remove one or more minority-access seats from Florida's congressional map. Currently, U.S. Rep. Al Lawson represents Congressional District 5, a minority-access seat created under the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

While the Florida House has not drawn congressional districts, the Florida Senate previously adopted a congressional map that provided representation for African American voters in North Florida by keeping the 5th congressional district largely intact. Ron DeSantis sought to remove Black representation in Congress for North Florida.

Congressman Al Lawson issued the following statement:

"Today, I commend the Florida Supreme Court for making the right decision. Ron DeSantis wanted the Supreme Court to violate the separation of powers and engage the judicial branch in partisan politics. They wisely and correctly rejected his request. Yes, Ron DeSantis lost today, but more importantly, democracy and the Constitution won."


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