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Politics & Government

Hillsborough's Redistricting Vote Splits Greater Brandon at State Road 60

Hillsborough County Commissioners vote 6-1 to adopt electoral boundaries that pair Brandon north of State Road 60, including Dover, Mango and parts of Valrico, with Tampa Palms, Carrollwood and Citrus Park.

Hillsborough County Commissioners approved electoral boundaries for county elections that split the Greater Brandon area at State Road 60.

The Greater Brandon area north of State Road 60 — including Mango and parts of Dover and Valrico — is moved to District 2, under the new electoral boundaries for county commission seats. Those areas currently are in District 4.

The Greater Brandon area south of State Road 60 — including Bloomingdale, Lithia, Riverview and parts of Valrico — falls within District 4. Plant City, too, is paired with the Bloomingdale area, in a district that includes as well Sun City Center.

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Meanwhile, the Brandon area north of State Road 60 will become joined with Tampa Palms, Carrollwood, Temple Terrace, Lutz and Citrus Park. 

With the new lines, Brandon Regional Hospital and Brandon Regional Library fall within District 4, while Brandon High School and the First Baptist Church of Brandon fall within District 2. 

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The June 20 vote for Map G means it will stay that way for the next decade, providing the plan is approved by federal election officials.

The vote is a defeat for those in Brandon who believe dividing the area’s representation at the county commission level would  for the area.  

The 6-1 decision— with Commissioner Kevin Beckner casting the sole dissenting vote— came on the heels of a series of public meetings on  held countywide over the past two months.

Under federal and county law, election boundaries must be reviewed, and changed if necessary, every 10 years to account for population shifts.

A public hearing immediately preceding the redistricting vote drew a full house at the Fred B. Karl County Center.  Although there were 10 proposed maps under consideration, it was Map I— Commissioner Kevin Beckner’s “People’s Map”—that drew the jeers and cheers.  

Beckner said his proposed map reflected the concerns of the majority of the people in the county, including minorities. The map did, however, “inadvertently” divide the Greater Brandon area in three districts. Beckner is one of three commissioners elected by a countywide vote. The remaining four county commissioners are elected by districts within the county.

“I apologize to the people of Brandon for that error,” said Beckner. A revised map submitted by Beckner addressed those concerns, he said.

Terry Kemple, a conservative activist from Brandon, said Beckner’s map was an example of partisan politics.

“This would be humorous if it wasn’t so significant. I think the 'People’s Map' is a politically driven map that would change the structure of District 4 in a political partisan way.”

Seffner’s Elizabeth Belcher said she was in support of Maps I and J. She noted, too, that Florida voters had spoken in favor of "contiguous and compact districts" in approving Amendments 5 and 6 in 2010.

Amendments 5 and 6 to Florida’s Constitution make it tougher to gerrymander congressional districts.

Brandon’s Vivian Bacca said community boundaries needed to be respected when redrawing boundaries. “I cannot support Map I because it splits Brandon into three districts. If Brandon were a city it would among the largest in the state, yet some are busy trying to divide us up.”

A Dover resident who also addressed the commission said the shape of the district was not as important as who took the seats.

“As an average citizen I implore you all when you redistrict and redraw the maps that you take politics out of this. The most important thing is not shape of the district but who we pick to fill those seats.”  

Victor DeMaio, president of the Hillsborough County Hispanic Caucus, spoke in favor of Map I.

“This map is an opportunity for Hispanics to get together,” said DeMaio.

Christine Robins of Riverview said she had a difficult time making it to a redistricting public hearing in Brandon because her child had a high fever. “Brandon has been largely silent in this process," she said, "and I wonder if the commission will take into consideration that many people may not have been able to make it to meetings.”

Acknowledging the debate over the issue centered on other maps, the commission opened their deliberations with a 7-0 vote to eliminate maps A-F.  

“Dividing Brandon would be a mistake,” Commissioner Mark Sharpe told commissioners. “I think Brandon needs to stay whole.”

“Based on my strong beliefs on keeping Carrollwood and Brandon together, I cannot support Maps I or J,” said Commissioner Ken Hagan, who added that the redistricting process itself was “flawed.” Hagan said he would like to see the public able to submit their own maps in the future.

Commissioner Lesley Miller said there was no map that would satisfy everyone.

“If someone up here walked on water some would probably look and say he’s showing off,” Miller said.

Noting the comments of his fellow commissioners, Miller said he knew where the vote was headed.

“I know when to hold ‘em and when to fold ‘em and I know Maps I and J are down the tubes so I am going to support Map G. I think it’s the best of the compromises.”

The county does not have the final say on the proposed boundaries. Any decision must be submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice for approval.

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