President JoeBiden and Democrats can't let go of Florida despite GOP gains
Cook Political Report prognosticators this week updated Sen. Marco Rubio's reelection bid against Rep. Val Demings from"lean" to"likely" Republican. Meanwhile, potential 2024 presidential candidate Gov. Ron DeSantis has a record $100 million fundraising advantage over his opponent, former Gov. and Rep. Charlie Crist . But that is not deterring Democrats from launching their national get-out-the-vote drive in the Sunshine State.
"As Democrat complacency grows in Florida, Republicans continue to dig deeper, making important inroads and taking no community for granted," Friedland said. Kobie Christian, a Florida Democratic Party spokesman, dismissed the idea that Democrats have to cede Florida. He described it as “a perennial swing state.” Remember, DeSantis “squeaked by with a small margin in 2018 that went to a recount,” Christian said.
Florida politics have morphed over decades due to population growth, public opinion on issues, party organization, money, and political leadership, according to University of Central Florida politics professor Aubrey Jewett.