Southwest Florida
FL-13 (Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Sarasota), Pale Pink
It gains retiree heavy, fairly conservative southern Hillsborough County suburbs and keeps DeSoto and Hardee counties. All of Manatee County is now in this district. The coastal (down to Siesta Key) and the politically moderate northern portions of Sarasota County remains here as well (For those unfamiliar with Sarasota County politics, areas north of Clark Road in Sarasota are generally considered less conservative, and HD-69 in Florida’s State House of Representative, held by Sarasota Democrat Keith Fitzgerald for two terms until his 2010 defeat, covers much of this territory). The more suburban and conservative portion of Sarasota County and its Charlotte County portion are cast off to my new FL-26.
It is the coastal bastions of Country-Club Republicanism in Manatee and Sarasota counties, the moderate portions of the city of Sarasota and the residual ethical questions with Buchanan that prevents me from calling this district Safe Republican, and Fitzgerald would be the only Democratic candidate who would be remotely competitive in this district. Likely Republican.
FL-14 (Rep. Connie Mack IV, R-Fort Myers), Olive
It is removed from Charlotte County and loses a northeastern chunk of Lee County to FL-26, but reunites Collier County with the portion from FL-25. Still one of the most Republican districts in the state. Safe Republican.
FL-16 (Rep. Tom Rooney, R-Tequesta), Mint Green,
This is one of two districts I am least satisfied with (The other is my FL-26). It now unites the Treasure Coast, taking Indian River County from FL-15 and portions of St. Lucie and Martin counties from FL-23. It also loses most of Okeechobee County to FL-15 and its portion of Hendry County, plus parts of Glades and Highlands (Lake Placid and parts of Sebring) counties to FL-26. Finally, it is totally removed from Charlotte County (also ceding its portion to FL-26). With St. Lucie being the only swing county in this district, only a moderate Democrat hailing from there, possibly St. Lucie County Sheriff Ken Mascara, can make the race competitive. Likely Republican.
FL-26 (NEW SEAT), Grey
Population growth in Southwest Florida is likely to result in one of the two new districts to be located in this area. My FL-26 is such a district. It takes all of Charlotte County (from FL-13, FL-14 and FL-16), the adjoining portions of Sarasota and Lee counties from FL-13 and FL-14 respectively. It also takes most of Hendry County and parts of Glades and Highlands counties. Expect a melee between Republicans from southern Sarasota County (like State Rep. Doug Holder, HD-70, R-Sarasota), Charlotte County (like former State Rep. Michael Grant, HD-71, R-Port Charlotte and State Rep. Paige Kreegel, HD-72, R-Punta Gorda) and Lee County (like former Lt. Governor Jeff Kottkamp) or even Highlands County. Safe Republican.
My partisan count for this seats: 4R.
Overall partisan count so far are 14R, 3D, 2 swing.
South Florida seats (FL 17-23 and FL-25) up next.
31, Male, Independent, MS-02 (Hometown FL-19)
You tried to adhere to the redistricting proposition rules, right?