Ben Albritton, following Gov. DeSantis’ lead, wants wait-and-see approach with congressional redistricting

Senate President Ben Albritton said the upper chamber of the Legislature isn’t moving yet on congressional redistricting. But he is working with Gov. Ron DeSantis while closely following court developments.

“As I’ve previously stated, there is no ongoing work regarding mid-decade redistricting taking place in the Senate at this time,” Albritton said in a memo to all Florida Senate members. “I’ll continue to monitor legal developments and will keep you updated.”

He sent the message the same day DeSantis proclaimed a Special Session on redistricting, effective April 20.

That incidentally is just four days before the expected qualification day for federal candidates, but DeSantis’ proclamation also moved qualifying week for congressional contenders to June 8 through 12, the same as candidates for the Florida Legislature.

As timing goes, DeSantis has always eyed Spring for drawing new cartography. But that has put him on a different page with House Speaker Daniel Perez, who already appointed a House Redistricting Committee that has held two meetings in hopes of crafting a map during the regular Legislative Session.

Perez earlier this week told Florida Politics, “Members can expect the process will unfold thoughtfully, deliberately and transparently.” His office offered no further comment after the Governor issued his call for a Special Session. Perez spokesperson Amelia Englehart said she was informed of the coming proclamation on Wednesday morning.

DeSantis has cited a pending U.S. Supreme Court case from Louisiana that could provide more explicit guidance on the redistricting process.

Albritton signaled he supports patience and wants to follow the Governor’s lead on the process.

“The Governor stated the Legislature should wait as long as feasible before redrawing Florida’s congressional district boundaries in order to take advantage of any further guidance from the United States Supreme Court,” Albritton wrote.

In the meantime, he urged lawmakers to be careful about any public statements about the process.

“Senators should be aware that in prior cycles, significant litigation has followed passage of new maps. The Florida Supreme Court has previously limited the scope of legislative privilege when it comes to redistricting,” he wrote.

“Sitting legislators may be compelled to produce records or be subject to questioning under oath about conversations with colleagues, with legislative staff, or with outside parties who may attempt to persuade the Legislature to pass maps that favor or disfavor a political party or incumbent.”

On the Democratic side, Senate Minority Leader Lori Berman on Wednesday blasted DeSantis’ mid-decade redistricting push as “clearly illegal.”