- April 18, 2024
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Following district redesignations, a Flagler resident could represent the county in Tallahassee for the first time since 1966.
Following new constitutional amendments calling for tighter political districts that adhere more closely to existing city and county lines, maps have been redrawn by the Florida House of Representatives, outlining new state districts.
Should the House map be approved, the entirety of Flagler County would be kept intact, giving Flagler the largest voting bloc in its district (the new Florida House District 24). This could mean a Flagler resident will be elected to represent the county in the Florida Legislature — a first in 45 years.
“It’s an open seat, and everybody’s going to dive for it,” said Barbara Revels, Flagler County Board of County Commissioners chairwoman. “I suspect there will be a variety of people running for that seat. And that person who’s running will be forging forward while the district maps will still be contested in court.”
Revels explained that each of the three potential maps — Florida House, Florida Senate and U.S. Senate — are initially drawn by the Florida House. Then the Florida Senate makes revisions. The revised versions were released last week.
“Today marks the completion of the Legislature’s work on the redistricting maps after receiving thousands of suggestions from the public over many months,” said House Redistricting Chairman Will Weatherford, in a Feb. 9 release. “By approving these maps during the fifth week of the regular legislative session, the Florida Legislature is providing ample time for the maps to be approved and given a thorough and careful review.”
The proposed maps coincide with other state changes, as well. Flagler’s current Florida House representative, Bill Proctor, will retire due to term limits. U.S. Rep. John Mica, who has served Volusia/Flagler for the past 20 years, has also announced plans to run in a district which, under the current proposal, would be closer to his Winter Park home.
By March, the Senate and House will have a final redistricting map, which will then move to the governor’s desk and then to the courts.
Elections for state and congressional representatives will align with national elections.
LOOKING BACK
According to Sisco Deen, of the Flagler County Historical Society, Flagler’s past state representatives were as follows:
Flagler County was created in 1917, with Isaac I. Moody appointed as its first member of the state Legislature until his death in 1918.
Amos S. Fowler served as the county’s representative in the Florida Legislature from 1919 to 1922.
Frank L. Byrd served as the county’s representative from 1923 to1933.
Lewis Edward Wadsworth represented Flagler in Tallahassee from 1934 to 1935.
Herbert Telwyn “H.T.” Cook served as the county’s representative from1936 to 1956.
William Littledale “Billy” Wadsworth served as the county’s representative through 1966, when Flagler County’s House seat was eliminated.
