A heated Corrine Brown headed to the Florida Capitol Thursday to voice her concerns over Florida’s congressional redistricting, and Brown left no holds barred as she tore into the state’s political process on drawing district lines.
Brown popped into both the House and Senate redistricting committee meetings, giving virtually the same pitch that the redistricting was bad for minorities.
Preliminary congressional base maps show the Democratic U.S. rep from Jacksonville’s district is set to be radically redrawn.
As she took to the podium, a spirited Brown explained the multitude of reasons the redistricting is problematic.
But Brown’s main concern, she says, doesn’t come from a fear she won’t be re-elected. It’s because she believes the new district will dilute the minority vote and take away their right to freely elect a candidate of their choice.
Brown’s district currently spans from Jacksonville to Orlando. It’s currently a pretty secure seat for Democrats, but Brown says the proposed redistricting for CD 5 would essentially tear apart two districts (Brown’s and CD 2, which is currently represented by Democrat Gwen Graham).
Brown fiercely criticized the redrawing.
"When whoever drew this district, they destroyed two districts and they knew it when they did it,” she told senators.
The Jacksonville Democrat pointed to race riots in Baltimore and Ferguson as just some examples of what happens when minorities don’t “have a seat at the table,” seeming to hint that her representation helped Sanford avoid a similar crisis when George Zimmerman was acquitted in the killing of black teenager Trayvon Martin in 2013.
"Our issues didn't blow up [in Sanford] because we had someone at the table,” she said. "If you're not in the room, you're on the menu.”
She also cited historical events and figures as some of the great strides minorities had made in ensuring their own representation in Washington, D.C.
Brown pointed to the Voting Rights Act and the 1992 elections of herself as well as U.S. Reps. Alcee Hastings and Carrie Meek as good news for minority representation in Congress.
As her speech went on, Brown’s spark transformed into a roaring flame, overwhelming the room with a fervent passion which Sen. Tom Lee, R-Brandon, said made him feel like he was at church.
Analysts have said Brown’s district would essentially be safe for her.
“She should be fine,” said data consultant Matthew Isbell.
Brown dismissed her own desire to keep her seat as the reason why she was fighting so hard against the redistricting.
"Let me be clear, you are not drawing a district for me,” she told reporters following her statements.
Instead, Brown seemed to indicate she was waving the flag for all minorities to have a say in Congress.
Said Brown: "Now, they say, 'Well, Corrine, you could win without Sanford.' It is not about winning. It is about having communities of interest and having people be served."
Reach reporter Allison Nielsen by email at allison@sunshinestatenews.com or follow her on Twitter: @AllisonNielsen.
