This district runs from near Jacksonville in the north, hooks east for a few miles, then west for a few miles, narrows to the width of an interstate highway for a while, cuts west all the way over to Gainesville, then swivels back east and southeast, finally arriving at Orlando, a distance of about 140 miles, sweeping in black neighborhoods along the way in order to create a “minority-majority” district. This configuration lasted from 2013-2017. The Florida Supreme Court ruled in July 2015 that the state legislature must redraw at least eight congressional districts, including the 5th, that had been gerrymandered to favor the GOP.

The district is currently represented by Democrat, Al Lawson. It is interesting to note that during 2013-2017, this district was represented by Democrat Corrine Brown. The two previous terms were held by Republicans.