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Florida Democrats are once again optimistic the state is in play, believing a growing lack of affordability across the state now makes the Republican supermajority holds over the state Legislature breakable.
In a conference call with reporters Tuesday, Florida Democratic Party Chairwoman Nikki Fried claimed “a coordinated campaign with our top-of-the-ticket candidates” is lifting “every Democrat on the ballot.”
“Last cycle, we launched our front porch swing tour and drove straight into towns from Cedar Key to Keystone Heights, sitting down with farmers and families,” Fried said. “No one had ever bothered to ask for their votes and what was on their minds. We are going back because a Florida majority runs through every kind of community, the small towns as much as the big cities. So here is a choice in front of voters. Republicans have run this state for nearly 30 years, and they have made it a place working people can no longer afford.”
Democrats claim to have flipped more than 30 seats across the state, mostly at the local level. But the number also includes special election wins earlier this year, such as Eileen Higgins becoming mayor of Miami in 2025 and victories in March by Tampa state Sen. Brian Nathan and Jupiter Rep. Emily Gregory.
Still, Democrats are pushing against a tide that has seen Gov. Ron DeSantis win reelection in 2022 by about 19 percentage points and President Donald Trump take the state by about 13 percentage points in 2024, while the GOP voter registration advantage has topped 1.5 million.
Prior to the Democrats’ media call, Republican Party of Florida Chairman Evan Power dismissed their chances.
“Today the Florida Democrats are going to hold a press conference on their path to victory,” Power posted on X. “I’ll help out — there isn’t one.”
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This article appears in July 09 – 15, 2026.
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