Broward Republicans say redistricting proposals for Allen West are unconstitutional

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Originally posted in the Florida Independent

by: Cooper Levey-Baker

January 3, 2012

The Miami Herald today published an “open letter” from Broward County GOP chairman Richard DeNapoli to the Florida Legislature’s redistricting committees. In it, DeNapoli sharply criticizes state lawmakers’ proposals for how Rep. Allen West’s district should be redrawn, saying they don’t live up to the Fair Districts standards approved by Florida voters in November 2010.

“My intention here is to express my concern as a citizen and registered voter of Florida that the proposed maps for Congressional District 22 do not meet Florida’s constitutional requirements,” DeNapoli writes. “In my opinion, none of the proposed Florida Senate or Florida House maps for Congressional District 22 conform to Florida’s constitutional requirements contained within Amendments 5 and 6 that districts be compact and, where feasible, ‘utilize existing political and geographical boundaries.’[1] Florida’s redistricting is very important and the maps eventually decided upon will control our districts for the next 10 years.”

DeNapoli also links to a new website, saveallenwest.com, set up by Broward GOP vice chair Colleen Stolberg to protest the redistricting proposals. “Congressional District 22 is in danger under the proposed redistricting maps and the Democrats are cheering!” Stolberg writes on the site’s homepage, adding:

We must Save Congressman West’s district! Call, email and contact everyone listed. Make your voice heard!  By removing the western portions of Broward County and replacing them with northeastern portions of Palm Beach County up to the Jupiter Inlet or Palm Beach county line that are in the existing Congressional District 22, the newly proposed District 22 will meet Florida’s constitutional requirements because it would be a compact coastal district that respects political and geographical boundaries.

The Herald has DeNapoli’s entire letter posted, and it’s worth reading in full.

Broward Republicans aren’t the only members of the GOP saying the new redistricting proposals don’t meet the Fair Districts standards.

Richard DeNapoli Named One of the Best REC Fundraisers

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I had the pleasure of being featured in Florida Conservative News as one of the Best Republican Executive Committee Fundraisers for 2011.  Check out the article below…

“Best REC Fundraisers Profiles: Richard DeNapoli, Broward

Talk about a turnaround story – Treasurer’s Reports online in Broward only go back to the first quarter of 2008, and the Broward REC has never raised as much money in the history of these reports as it has under Chairman DeNapoli.  Richard DeNapoli is one of the youngest Chairman in the RPOF structure, elected at 33 years old in a highly contested election.  Apparently, his business and campaign background (he’s known for being involved in numerous campaigns), has served the REC well.  He has had a successful Lincoln Day (with about 450 in attendance) as well as an event called the Grand Old Party BBQ, which reportedly attracted some 600 guests.  The Broward delegation at Presidency 5 was also large – 173 members.  Though Broward County has some well-to-do areas, it seems it had never been tapped appropriately for fundraising by the Broward REC…until now.  Whatever formula DeNapoli is using, it’s successful.  The Broward REC is also one of the largest in the state at approximately 400 members, and we’ve heard that their regular monthly meetings bring in well over 300 people – a large increase over previous years.  It’s always tough to be a Chairman in large RECs like Palm Beach and Broward for the simple reason that it’s tough to keep tons of people happy.