Picture: Map of Southwest Florida under lines as approved by Judge Terry Lewis

The lines aren’t visible in our physical landscape, but the political world of Southwest Florida is still reeling from a tectonic shift in the legislative boundaries in the region. A circuit court judge last week ruled in favor of a Congressional map that splits Sarasota County into two Congressional districts, a decision that if it sticks will put Sarasota city voters in the same Congressional district as those in South Hillsborough and North Port voters as co-consituents with residents of Okeechobee County.

Sarasota residents at least will still be represented by U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Sarasota, whose district under the map extends through all of Manatee County and into Hillsborough County as far as Adamsville. But much of South Sarasota County will be in the district now represented by U.S. Rep. Tom Rooney, R-Punta Gorda. Buchanan, who has been deeply opposed to dividing Sarasota into two districts, noted the new lines are not yet set in stone. “As the Congressman has said, we’ve been through so many maps,” said Buchanan spokesman Joe Sangiorgio. “Let’s wait and see what the Supreme Court decides to do.”

But party leaders, responsible for recruiting candidates to run as soon as next year, expect the lines set by Circuit Court Judge Terry Lewis are the ones that will stick. Lewis ruled the maps drawn by the Legislature were unconstitutional, and approved these maps as meeting the strict standards of the Fair Districts Amendment. “I think Sarasota County is much better off having one representative,” said Joe Gruters, chairman of the Republican Party of Sarasota. On that much, he and Christine Jennings, chairman of the Sarasota Democratic Party, are in agreement. “We wish this was not the case,” Jennings said. “We wish Sarasota County was kept whole.”

Democrats now will seek out candidates to run against Rooney and Buchanan. While both seats seem Republican-leaning as drawn, Jennings said that won’t be what ultimately leads candidates to run. “This will not deter someone who wants to serve. If you feel passionate about serving, you will find a way to try and win,” she said. Of note, Jennings has run against Buchanan twice, but said right now she is focused on getting others elected. 

Republicans, of course, are playing defense on the seats. Gruters felt confident in both incumbents. “Tom Rooney is a great congressman and I look forward to having him represent half of our county,” Gruters said. “We’re obviously not going to see him as much as we see Vern, but I think he will do a good job. He is a solid conservative.”

Now politicos wait for the next quake, a special session on redistricting Florida state Senate lines.

Picture: Map of Southwest Florida under lines as approved by Judge Terry Lewis