RPOF Scolds Florida Dem Chair Smith Over Redistricting Hypocrisy

Dave Bitner, chairman of the Republican Party of Florida, sent his counterpart, Florida Democratic Party Chairman Rod Smith, a letter Monday taking him to task for his apparent "hypocrisy" surrounding his stance on the redistricting process.

Specifically, the letter notes Smith's current criticism of the existing legislative and congressional districts, but voted for them in committee as a member of the Legislature in 2002.

"FACT: As a member of the Senate Redistricting Committee, you were one of two Democrat members that voted in favor of the bill when it was in committee which created House and Senate boundaries, sponsored by the Senate chairman," the letter reads in part.

The letter also notes that Smith also voted for the legislative districts on the floor, and praised Republicans for holding public hearings over redistricting, even though no sample maps were created --something he has criticized Republicans for doing this year.

"Chairman Smith, when exactly did you come to hold the opinion that the public hearing process and the maps, which were produced in 2002, were flawed? Though you are an outspoken critic today, why didn't you raise any of the same objections when you were in the Legislature?" the letter states.

View the entire letter here.