Florida’s Republican Party has reached a significant milestone by gaining a million-voter registration advantage over Democrats. This dramatic change marks a departure from the past, when Democrats had long held an edge in the state often seen as a battleground. Florida GOP Chairman Evan Power attributed the success to the party’s vision for the state. In 2018, Democrats had more than 250,000 registered voters than Republicans; however, that changed in late 2021 when the number of registered Republicans surpassed their counterparts. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis highlighted the remarkable transformation from 2018, when Republicans held a mere 5.26 million registered voters to the Democrats’ 4.3 million, with a total of 13.4 million registered voters in Florida.
The state’s Republican party credits its growth to strong leadership and bold policies that have resonated with voters. DeSantis, who narrowly won the 2018 gubernatorial race with 49.6% of the vote against his Democratic opponent (who secured 49.2%), easily secured reelection in 2022 with 59.4% of the vote. Republicans have been successful in attracting new voters and maintaining their advantage over Democrats, a feat many doubted was possible.
Despite the challenges faced by Florida Democrats, they remain hopeful about breaking through in the Sunshine State. They have invested resources into former Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell’s challenge against Sen. Rick Scott and are optimistic about the potential impact of the upcoming referendum on abortion rights. Although recent history suggests that Democrats may struggle to win Florida, they remain hopeful that this crucial issue could sway voters in their favor.
