Diaz de la Portilla Drops Plan to Redraw Seat Eyed by his Brother

Sen. Miguel Diaz de la Portilla, R-Miami, withdrew an amendment to the Senates redistricting effort that sought a fourth Hispanic seat in Southeast Florida -- a seat now held by Sen. Gwen Margolis, D-Miami, that de la Portilla's brother Alex has eyed for a return to the Legislature.

Miguel Diaz de la Portilla initially proposed the amendment during the Senate Reapportionment Committee meeting earlier in the week.

On Wednesday, Diaz de la Portilla and Margolis exchanged words over his proposal to create the district out of the area Margolis represents.

Under the map submitted by Diaz de la Portilla, Hispanic registration would increase in Margolis' district to 66 percent from the 49 percent for the district under the map going before the Senate on Thursday.

Alex Diaz de la Portilla, who served in the Senate from 2000 through 2010, has announced his intention to run for Margolis' seat this fall.