Politics
GOP, Dem Candidates Joined at the Hip to Take on the Governor and Andrew Bain
ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) – The Orange-Osceola State Attorney race is heating up, with unlikely alliances and explosive accusations shaking up the political landscape. At a recent news conference in downtown Orlando, Republican attorney Thomas Feiter stood alongside suspended Democratic State Attorney Monique Worrell to launch a united offensive against Governor Ron DeSantis and current State Attorney Andrew Bain.
Feiter, who lost the Republican primary to Seth Hyman, accused the GOP of foul play. He announced plans to file a lawsuit against Hyman, Bain, and others, claiming that Hyman was a “sham candidate” who entered the race only to drop out, ensuring Bain a clearer path to victory in the upcoming November General Election.
Worrell and Feiter’s Common Ground
While Feiter and Worrell may stand on opposite sides of the political spectrum, they found common ground in their criticism of Governor DeSantis. Worrell, who was suspended from her position by the governor last year, claimed DeSantis overstepped his authority in meddling with the State Attorney’s office. Feiter echoed her concerns, pointing to what he alleges was political interference designed to manipulate the Republican primary in favor of Bain.
“The very foundation of our democracy is at risk,” Worrell said, calling on the FBI to investigate the situation. Feiter added, “It’s clear that the powers that be are playing a dangerous game here.”
Hyman’s Exit and Accusations of Collusion
Hyman, who defeated Feiter in the Republican primary, dropped out shortly after his victory, citing a lack of financial resources to continue his campaign. But Feiter isn’t buying it. He claimed Hyman was colluding with Bain and the DeSantis administration, accusing them of orchestrating his candidacy with the intent for him to bow out, giving Bain a boost with Republican voters in the general election.
At Monday’s press conference, Feiter leveled sharp criticism, claiming the DeSantis camp had dangled the prospect of political rewards, including the possibility of becoming a judge or state representative, if he dropped out of the primary.
In response, Hyman called Feiter a “sore loser” and countered that Feiter must be working with Democrats to undermine Bain’s campaign. “This is nothing more than political theater,” Hyman said in a brief statement. “Feiter’s accusations are preposterous.”
Feiter’s Allegations Against Bain and DeSantis
During the news conference, Feiter laid out his case, saying he would file a lawsuit accusing Bain, Hyman, and other unnamed parties of collusion. He further alleged that Bain, with the backing of DeSantis, was preparing to disqualify Worrell or remove her from office should she win back her position in the upcoming election.
Feiter also filed a complaint with the Florida Bar, alleging that DeSantis’ Chief of Staff James Uthmeier and attorney Jeff Aaron offered him political incentives to drop out. The Bar dismissed the complaint, labeling it a civil issue.
Bain Campaign’s Response
In a sharp rebuke, Bain’s campaign dismissed the press conference as a “distraction” and framed the November election as a clear choice for voters.
“In this election, the voters have a clear choice between a former suspended State Attorney who failed to prosecute crime, and State Attorney Andrew Bain, who has proven to hold violent offenders accountable and protects our community,” the campaign statement read.
As the November election approaches, all eyes are on this contentious race, where even members of opposing parties seem to be joining forces in an effort to shake up the status quo.
Florida
DeSantis’ New Florida Congressional Map Could Spark Lawsuits, Legislative Showdown, and Statewide Protests
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FNN) — Governor Ron DeSantis unveiled a proposed congressional redistricting map that could significantly reshape Florida’s representation in the U.S. House ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
The proposal, released Monday, outlines districts that could favor Republicans in 24 seats, compared to four Democratic-leaning districts. Currently, Florida’s congressional delegation includes 20 Republicans and seven Democrats, with one vacant seat.
REDISTRICTING PROPOSAL & POLITICAL IMPACT
The governor said the new map reflects Florida’s population changes and fulfills his commitment to mid-decade redistricting. Lawmakers have been called into a special legislative session to consider the proposal.
The map appears to eliminate four Democratic-held seats, including a Tampa-area district represented by U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, an Osceola County district held by U.S. Rep. Darren Soto—the first Puerto Rican elected to Congress from Florida—and a Palm Beach-Broward district that could displace U.S. Rep. Jared Moskowitz.
The proposal also affects a majority-Black voting district spanning Palm Beach and Broward counties, previously represented by former U.S. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, raising concerns about the future of minority representation.
Supporters, including Evan Power, say the map could better align districts with voter distribution. Critics, including Nikki Fried, have called the proposal unconstitutional gerrymandering. Florida law prohibits partisan gerrymandering, setting up potential legal challenges.
Rep. Tray McCurdy, D-Orlando and Rep. Angie Nixon, D-Jacksonville sit on the Florida Seal in protest as debate stops on Senate Bill 2-C: Establishing the Congressional Districts of the State in the House of Representatives Thursday, April 21, 2022 at the Capitol in Tallahassee, Fla. Rep. Daisy Morales, D-Orlando, joins the protest, holding a sign. The session was halted on the protest. (AP Photo/Phil Sears)
LOOKING BACK: 2022 PROTESTS OVER REDISTRICTING
The current debate mirrors tensions from 2022, when Democratic lawmakers staged a sit-in protest on the Florida House floor in opposition to a previous congressional map backed by DeSantis.
Lawmakers including Yvonne Hinson, Angie Nixon, Travaris McCurdy, Felicia Robinson, and Daisy Morales participated in the protest, temporarily halting legislative proceedings.
Morales, a member of the Congressional Redistricting Subcommittee and the only Hispanic lawmaker involved in the sit-in, strongly criticized the map at the time.
“Our democracy is being attacked. The governor eliminating two Black congressional seats is a power grab and it’s wrong,” Morales said in a written statement. “Stripping seats from Black representation is the same as saying the Black voice—the Black vote—doesn’t matter.”
She also warned about potential impacts on Hispanic representation:
“With this map passing, I’m deeply concerned it could target the only Puerto Rican representing Florida in Congress, Darren Soto, to benefit partisan interests. We don’t want to disenfranchise the 1.2 million Puerto Ricans in Florida.”
WHAT COMES NEXT IN 2026
As lawmakers prepare to debate the new proposal, Democrats are expected to push back through legal challenges, legislative opposition, and public advocacy.
The outcome of Florida’s redistricting battle could play a pivotal role in shaping control of the U.S. House and influence the national political landscape heading into the 2026 midterm elections.
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Crimes and Courts
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