Tampa City Council objects to Legislature’s proposed congressional maps

In a letter to the state Legislature’s redistricting committees, the Tampa City Council is objecting to congressional redistricting maps that would split the city into separate districts.

At council member Luis Viera’s suggestion, the all-Democrat council unanimously voted to authorize a letter from Chairman Orlando Gudes to the Republican-dominated House and Senate redistricting committees.

The city is currently all within Democratic U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor’s 14th District. All the maps proposed by the Legislature would split parts of the city into other districts.

The Senate’s proposed maps would also convert Castor’s Democratic-leaning district into a swing district.

Noting that Tampa is Florida’s third-largest city, Viera told the council the city needs “unified advocacy” on issues in Washington.

Gudes’ letter says the division “would cause great confusion and hinder our response in times of crisis.”