Dem
51
GOP
49
Florida is another Southern state that never really warmed up to the idea that Black voters ought to have representation in the House. Consequently, the state legislature drew a highly gerrymandered map. But Ron DeSantis didn't like the new map—because it was insufficiently gerrymandered—so he vetoed it. Then he drew his own map and commanded the legislature to pass it, which it did. Democrats sued and a lower court threw DeSantis' map out. The legislature appealed.
Now a state appeals court has upheld DeSantis' map on the grounds that the state Constitution prohibits racial discrimination but does not require any kind of race-based affirmative action. In other words, the Black voters of Tallahassee and Jacksonville are not legally entitled to a majority-Black district. The court added: "Treating citizens as individuals without regard for race is the only way to ensure full and equal participation in the political process."
A case against the new map is ongoing in federal court. But note that Chief Justice John Roberts has said something pretty close to what the appeals court said: "The way to stop racial discrimination is to stop discriminating on the basis of race."
Back in the old days (when America was great?), the way to control the House was to get voters to elect more of your folks than the other team's. Now it is all about getting more judges to agree with your position. (V)