In 1980, 1984 and 1988, FL gave the R presidential candidate 56%, 65% and 61%, respectively, so Pepper’s CD was 1%, 5% and 3% *less* Republican than the state as a whole at the presidential level. Ros-Lehtinen’s CD, as redrawn in 20012, would have given McCain 50% in 2008 (3% more R than the state) and have Romney 46% in 2012 (3% less R than the state) thanks to the collapse of the Cuban GOP vote So I wouldn’t say that the district has become less Republican; it’s just that the R presidential candidates no longer get 59% nationwide or 65% in FL.
It’s amazing the post-1988 political polarization in this country, especially at the Presidential level, that’s for sure. We’re so much worse these days.