Top Senate Republican says political map is not partisan

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) – The state senator in charge of a new political map says that the Senate proposal was not drawn in a way to aid fellow Republicans or incumbents now in office.

Sen. Bill Galvano was in charge of the Senate committee that was responsible for drawing a map for state Senate districts. The Bradenton Republican testified for more than two hours in a courtroom on Wednesday.

Galvano denied that the map he has proposed was drawn to ensure that the Senate remains in GOP control. He said he did not know the political performance of any districts until after the map was submitted to the court.

Circuit Judge George Reynolds is being asked to decide among rival state Senate maps. His decision could hand control of the Senate over to Democrats.