SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) – Florida voters will decide two of the state’s biggest races this November, with an open race for governor and a U.S. Senate special election at the top of the ballot.
This week, candidates in both races made stops on the Suncoast as they worked to connect with local voters.
Republican gubernatorial nominee Byron Donalds visited Venice Wednesday morning, touring PGT Custom Windows and meeting with employees.
Donalds also took part in a question-and-answer session, where the conversation covered a range of issues, including topics important to his campaign and concerns raised by Suncoast voters.
One employee asked Donalds about his stance on data centers and their potential impact on the nation’s security.
Meanwhile, state representative and democratic U.S. Senate candidate Angie Nixon was also making her case to local voters.
Nixon rallied with the Democratic Women’s Club of Sarasota at Mellow Mushroom before heading to Phillippi Estate Park for a canvassing event.
New College of Florida political science professor Keith Fitzgerald said voter turnout will be a key factor in the upcoming election.
He pointed to enthusiasm among voters and the challenges candidates face in motivating supporters to turn out during an off-year election.
For some voters, attending campaign events provides an opportunity to hear directly from candidates and form their own impressions.
Local voter Devon Oppenheimer said being able to interact with candidates in person can offer something voters may not get through campaign advertisements or written statements.
“You get an opportunity to read the body language of the candidate,” Oppenheimer said. “For me, that’s really important.”
With the general election still ahead, voters can expect to see more candidates making their case directly to Suncoast communities in the months ahead.
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