Former U.S. representative for Florida’s 26th congressional district from 2015 to 2019, Carlos Curbelo, (R-Fla) tells 850WFTl News that the current state legislature is working hard to pass new redistricting maps for congressional races. And it looks like the new maps and an addition of another congressional seat will benefit Republicans in the state.
In 2018, Curbelo was narrowly defeated for re-election by Democrat Debbie Mucarsel-Powell. Prior to his election to the U.S. House, he served on the Dade County School Board.
Curbelo says the Florida House just released its proposed congressional maps and they appear to give Republicans more of an advantage than the Senate-proposed maps released earlier this month.
Of particular significance, the newly released maps would make Democratic Rep. Stephanie Murphy’s central Florida district more difficult to win.
The House proposals redefine several central Florida districts in order to add a new 28th congressional district, which likely favor Republicans.
Florida has gained 2.7 million new residents between 2010 and 2020 according to the latest census. The population increase has led to the need for a new seat to be added to the redistricting process.
Trump won 16 of the state’s current 27 congressional districts. Florida is gaining a new seat due to continued population growth.
Governor Ron DeSantis recently announced that registered Republicans now outnumber registered Democrats in the state of Florida.
Curbelo says the process of redrawing the new political will take until the end of this legislative session in March before the House and Senate come to an agreement on the new lines.
Listen to the 850WFTL exclusive interview with former Congressman Carlos Curbelo here.