Phil Ammann
Say what you will about U.S. Rep. Ted Deutch, he strikes while the iron is hot.
With breakneck speed, the Boca Raton Democrat representing Florida’s 21st Congressional District sent the first fundraising email in the wake of Florida’s Supreme Court throwing out parts of the state’s congressional map.
The state’s highest court found that lawmakers violated Florida’s Fair Districts constitutional amendment, which bans political influence when drawing districts.
Deutch’s is among the eight congressional districts state legislators must now redraw, including swing seats of Republican Reps. David Jolly and Carlos Curbelo. Also up for reshuffling are Democratic Reps. Corrine Brown, Kathy Castor and Lois Frankel, as well as Republicans Mario Diaz-Balart and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen. Lawmakers are also required to submit new maps to the court for approval.
Thus came the urgent money pitch, with a subject line – appropriately – of “Emergency!”
“The Florida Supreme Court just ordered the Congressional District I represent to be redrawn before next year’s election,” the email goes. “I have never needed your support like I do right now — today!”
Deutch raised the likely possibility of running in a new district, introducing himself to a new group of – potentially unfriendly — voters.
Although the court did not give a deadline for redistricting, the new maps have to be finished by the 2016 elections.
In many states, partisan gerrymandering is legal, but in 2010, Florida amended the state constitution to ban the practice. Cited in the state court’s opinion was the recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling that upheld Arizona’s use of an independent redistricting commission.
What remains to be seen is how the ruling will change the political complexion of the Florida caucus. But one thing is sure, with this lightning-fast money pitch Deutch is taking this very seriously.
