In the aftermath of the Florida Supreme Court ruling on Wednesday to enact a map from the League of Women Voters (LWV) as the new congressional districts in the Sunshine State, two congressional Democrats carried out their promise not to run against each other.
U.S. Rep. Ted Deutch, D-Fla., and U.S. Rep. Lois Frankel, D-Fla., said they won’t run against each other. Deutch, who is currently based in Palm Beach County in CD 21 under the old map, will head down south to represent CD 22 under the new map. CD 22 under the new map represents the southern part of Palm Beach County and parts of Broward County. Frankel will look to be elected in CD 21 in Palm Beach County.
Deutch, the ranking Democrat on the U.S. House Middle East and North Africa Subcommittee, announced his decision to run in CD 22 on Wednesday night.
“Ten years ago, I took a leap and ran for a Florida state Senate seat from Broward and Palm Beach counties,” Deutch said. “I ran for public office because after years volunteering and working in the community to help those in need, promote tolerance, and strengthen the U.S.-Israel relationship, I saw elected office as a way to have a greater impact on the South Florida that my family and I love to call home.
“Today, I am excited to announce that I intend to for re-election to Congress in Florida’s newly-drawn 22nd congressional district," Deutch added. “The 22nd district, approved today by the Florida Supreme Court, is home to around 300,000 constituents I am proud to serve today, as well as thousands of Broward and Palm Beach County residents I previously represented in the Florida Senate and in Congress. I am excited to run in the community where my wife and I work, where my daughters graduated and my son attends high school, where my family goes to synagogue, and where I have spent so much time working for and with the people of South Florida.
“The residents of Broward and Palm Beach know me for more than the time I’ve spent in their businesses, community centers, schools, retirement communities, and churches,” Deutch insisted. “They know me from the years I’ve spent working for Port Everglades expansion and beach renourishment, organizing veterans jobs fairs at the Fort Lauderdale Armory, and hosting community forums on student loans, immigration, and other important issues at Florida Atlantic University and Broward College.”
Frankel told the Palm Beach Post on Wednesday that she has no problem with Deutch‘s decision.
“I have deep respect for Ted Deutch’s tireless service to South Florida along with great affection for him as a friend,” Frankel said. “His decision to run in the new Broward-based seat reflects his long commitment to serving the community where he has worked and raised his family.”
“As the junior member of the South Florida delegation, I will honor his decision as I look to represent Palm Beach County in 2016,” Frankel told the Palm Beach Post. “More importantly, Ted and I will remain focused on tackling the challenges of South Florida together, for as long as our constituents continue to elect us.”
Both Deutch and Frankel represent solidly Democratic districts and that is not changed by the state Supreme Court decision.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN
