In late May, RedState highlighted a significant court decision concerning lawsuits from progressive groups aiming to obstruct Florida’s newly proposed congressional map from being enacted before the 2026 midterm elections.
Presiding over the case, Circuit Judge Joshua Hawkes rejected the plaintiffs’ request for a temporary injunction. He emphasized that making a ruling against the state so close to Florida’s August 18th primary would not be prudent. Judge Hawkes also expressed reservations regarding the existing 20th Congressional District in relation to the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Louisiana v. Callais.
Judge Hawkes remarked, “The plaintiffs focus on disputing the constitutionality of the 2026 map but fail to adequately contest the legislative determination that the 20th District in the 2022 map was created with impermissible racial intent.” He further noted, “At this stage, the plaintiffs’ evidence does not justify the court’s imposition of the 2022 map over the electorally ratified 2026 map.”
“Plaintiffs’ evidence focuses on challenging the constitutionality of the 2026 map, but does not sufficiently challenge the political branches’ finding that CD-20 in the 2022 map was drawn with impermissible racial intent,” the judge wrote, while adding that “Plaintiffs’ evidence at this stage is insufficient to support the permissibility of this Court forcing the 2022 map onto the electorate in contravention of the duly enacted 2026 map.”