Tallahassee, FL – Today, Florida Democratic Party Chairman Rod Smith issued the following statement in response to the Florida Senate’s passage of the gerrymandered redistricting maps for congressional and senate districts.

“With this vote the Senate has sent a chilling message to the people of Florida: safe districts are more important than Fair Districts. The maps passed today protect every incumbent senator and ensure another decade of complete Republican control of Tallahassee. And the Florida Constitution is no less offended by a Democrat voting to protect their seat than a Republican voting to do the same.

“Today’s vote is nothing more than business as usual. The Republican-led Senate has ignored Florida voters and, sadly, the courts will most likely be tasked with implementing the people’s will.”

###