STATEMENT FROM FDP CHAIR ROD SMITH ON SENATE'S 2ND REDISTRICTING FAILURE

TALLAHASSEE, FL — Florida Democratic Party Chairman Rod Smith today issued the following statement in response to the Senate’s 2nd failure to pass maps which comply with the Florida Constitution, the will of the people or the directions of the Florida Supreme Court:

“Charged with implementing the people’s will, the Senate failed. Charged by the courts to redraw a map free of incumbent protection and partisan advantage — they once again have failed. Throughout this process the GOP in the Senate have wasted thousands of tax dollars and shown a shocking disregard for Florida’s Constitution and the courts. It has become abundantly clear that the GOP-controlled legislature lacks the leadership to draw maps that comply with Fair Districts. As expected, we now turn to the courts to enforce the people’s will.”

BACKGROUND — WORDS USED TO DESCRIBE ROUND 2 OF THE GOP’S REDISTRICTING SIDESHOW:

“Silliness” Tampa Bay Times, 3/22/12

A “Farcical Scene” Tampa Bay Times, 3/22/12

“Not been the finest moment for the Senate or for Gaetz” Tampa Bay Times, 3/22/12

“Surreal” News-Service of Florida, 3/21/12

“Bingo Game” Palm Beach Post, 3/21/12

“Snagged” Times/Herald, 3/20/12

“Bogs down” Orlando Sentinel, 3/20/12

“Comparisons to Vanna White and the crucifixion of Jesus Christ” Times/Herald, 3/21/12

“The best hope voters may have for fair Senate districts is for the Supreme Court to reject the map a second time and draw its own” Tampa Bay Times, 3/22/12

###