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Florida Senate President Testifies During Redistricting Trial

TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami/AP) —  Florida's Senate president  contends state legislators followed the law when drawing up new political maps.

Don Gaetz testified Wednesday, May 21st during a trial looking at how the Legislature drew up new congressional districts.

Gaetz, a Niceville Republican, was in charge of the Senate committee that oversaw redistricting in 2011 and 2012.

Voters in 2010 passed the "Fair Districts" amendment that says districts cannot be drawn in a way to favor incumbents or members of a political party.

A coalition of groups argue legislators drew up maps for congressional seats that violate those standards. Attorneys for the Legislature call the allegations false.

Gaetz was asked about his connections to Republican consultants and why certain districts were drawn in a particular way.

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