Last Call – A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics.

First Shot

Republicans are deepening their registration advantage in Florida, extending what has become one of the state’s most striking political trends over the past five years.

The latest Florida Chamber of Commerce statewide poll, released Wednesday, highlights state voter registration data showing the GOP now leads Democrats by more than 1.38 million registered voters, widening a gap that has continued to grow since the run-up to the 2022 elections.

As of Sept. 30, the Florida Division of Elections reported 5,505,178 registered Republicans, compared to 4,116,079 Democrats and 3,827,890 voters registered with no party affiliation or minor parties. That puts Republicans ahead by roughly 10% of all active voters statewide.

Since the 2022 General Election, the Chamber noted, Republicans have increased their share of the electorate in all 67 counties, while Democrats have lost ground across the board. The expansion foreshadows the GOP’s dominance heading into the 2026 cycle — statewide Republican candidates have secured landslide victories in recent elections despite a less pronounced registration advantage.

Chamber President and CEO Mark Wilson said the data and other polling results underscore Florida’s trajectory as “a pacesetter nationally,” attributing that strength to “Florida’s job creators” and the business community’s focus on growth under the organization’s Florida 2030 Blueprint.

The registration advantage was paired with a generally positive view of Florida’s direction compared to the nation: while only 41% of Floridians say the U.S. is heading the right way, 48% say the same about the Sunshine State.

Evening Reads

—”The 30 outright oddest lines from Donald Trump’s speech in South Korea” via Chris Cillizza of So What

—”Trump says it’s ‘pretty clear’ he can’t run for a third term” via Amy B. Wang of The Washington Post

—“Florida lobbying firm enters Washington market with fast rise” via Kate Ackley of Bloomberg Government

—”The real reason why Democrats are so unpopular” via Eric Levitz of Vox

—”Obamacare prices become public, highlighting big increases” via Reed Abelson and Margot Sanger-Katz of The New York Times

—”America’s impending population collapse” via Idrees Kahloon of The Atlantic

—”Choosing to let kids go hungry” via Judd Legum, Rebecca Crosby and Noel Sims of Popular Information

—”Ron DeSantis orders Board of Governors to ‘pull the plug’ on H1-B visas in universities” via Liv Caputo of the Florida Phoenix

—”Byron Donalds is ‘supportive’ of Gov. DeSantis’ desire to cut property taxes, wants more details” via A.G. Gancarski of Florida Politics

Quote of the Day

“Whoever they choose to throw at us, so be it. We’ll take care of them.” 

— U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds, on Democrats’ odds in the 2026 Governor race.

Put it on the Tab

Look to your left, then look to your right. If you see one of these people at your happy hour haunt, flag down the bartender and put one of these on your tab. Recipes included, just in case the Cocktail Codex fell into the well.

As their numbers dwindle and U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds dismisses the party’s as-yet-unknown 2026 Governor nominee as irrelevant, Democrats need a shot of Life Support.

Gov. Ron DeSantis gets a Beergarita (sometimes called a Bad Idea) for his push to ‘pull the plug’ on Florida universities using H-1B visas.

U.S. Rep. Jimmy Patronis is serving up Cloudy Days with his prediction that the federal government shutdown will continue for at least another week.

Breakthrough Insights

Tune In

Magic continue busy stretch

The Orlando Magic look to snap a three-game losing skid when they travel to Detroit to face the Pistons tonight (7 p.m. ET, FanDuel Sports Network – Florida).

Orlando won the season opener over Miami before losing consecutive games to the Atlanta Hawks, Chicago Bulls, and Philadelphia 76ers. Monday’s loss in Philadelphia saw the Magic torched by Tyrese Maxey, who scored 43 points for the Sixers, who were playing without All-Star center Joel Embiid.

Paolo Banchero scored 32 points for the Magic as they opened a stretch of five games in 10 days. Banchero and Franz Wagner lead the Magic in scoring; both average more than 23 points per game.

Last season, the Magic lost six of their first nine games before winning 12 of the next 13 games. Orlando finished the season with a record of 41-41.

Detroit (2-2) got off to an equally slow start last season, losing seven of the first 11 games before rebounding to finish the season 44-38. This season, Detroit lost to the Chicago Bulls on opening night, then beat the Houston Rockets and Boston Celtics before falling at home to Cleveland on Monday, 116-95. No Piston scored more than a dozen points in the game.

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Last Call is published by Peter Schorsch, assembled and edited by Phil Ammann and Drew Wilson, with contributions from the staff of Florida Politics.