Jan Appling Secretary | DeKalb County Republican Party
Jan Appling Secretary | DeKalb County Republican Party
Florida's political landscape has shifted significantly in recent years, with Republicans gaining a stronghold in the state. Once considered a swing state, Florida now leans heavily Republican, and experts suggest it may take decades for Democrats to regain competitiveness.
A Florida Democrat consultant remarked that making Democrats competitive again could take up to 25 years, describing the process as "slow, long-term and sucks." This shift is evident in recent election results. In 2024, Donald Trump and the Republican Party managed to turn Miami-Dade County red, a historically Democratic area.
The trend of increasing Republican dominance began after former President Barack Obama's victories in 2008 and 2012. Since then, Trump won Florida by larger margins each election: 1.2 percent in 2016, 3.3 percent in 2020, and an impressive 13.1 percent in 2024.
Republicans achieved a significant milestone when Governor Ron DeSantis announced a voter registration advantage for the party in November 2021. The growth continued as Republicans now outnumber Democrats by over one million registered voters.
Miami-Dade's switch to Republican control marks the first time this has happened in over three decades. This development signals potential challenges for Democrats moving forward.
In early November, signs of trouble emerged for Democrats during Kamala Harris's rally in Tampa. Reports described low attendance and lackluster energy at the event featuring Hillary Clinton.
As future elections approach, slogans like "Keep Florida red" are expected to resonate throughout the state.
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