Gov. Ron DeSantis declared that Florida has become a red state, boasting a significant increase in registered Republican voters compared to Democrats, solidifying the GOP’s dominance in what was once a pivotal swing state.
“Florida is now firmly a Republican state,” DeSantis stated. “We used to be a state where every election hinged on how Florida would vote; that is no longer the case. And I believe that’s a positive development for the party.”
DeSantis highlighted that the GOP in Florida currently has nearly “900,000 more registered Republicans than Democrats.” He pointed out that back in 2018 when he was elected governor for the first time, the GOP trailed Democrats by about 300,000 voters. “We’re talking about a shift of over a million registered voters,” DeSantis emphasized.
During the interview, the Florida governor attributed the growth of the GOP voter base to a significant number of voters switching from the Democratic Party and non-party affiliations to the Republican Party.
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DeSantis also attributed the widening gap to Florida’s policies. “I believe that the migration has skewed towards people coming to Florida not to replicate the policies of Illinois, California, or New York, but because they appreciate the different approach that Florida has taken,” DeSantis stated.
Voter Base Shift
Back in the 1970s and early 1980s, Democrats outnumbered Republicans by approximately 1.5 million voters. However, this gap has gradually diminished as the number of Republicans increased while the number of Democrats decreased in the state.
Florida gained national attention in 2000 when Republican George W. Bush secured the state by a narrow 537-vote margin, ultimately aiding in his White House victory. Since 1980, Democratic presidential candidates have won Florida only three times, while Republicans have emerged victorious eight times.
Biden Campaign Aims to Flip Florida
President Joe Biden’s reelection campaign announced on April 1 its intention to flip Florida in the upcoming election, citing a potential path to victory in the predominantly Republican state.
Campaign manager Julie Chavez Rodriguez stated in a memo initially shared with NBC News that the Biden campaign has identified “multiple pathways” to reach the 270 electoral votes needed, with Florida being one of them.
“While winning Florida is not an easy task, it is achievable for President Biden, especially considering Trump’s weak campaign and vulnerabilities within his coalition,” she emphasized.
Aldgra Fredly contributed to this report.
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