ORLANDO, Fla. \u2014 Florida Democrats are trying to turn the tide.<\/p>\n
Big names in the state party met with donors and volunteers in Orlando this weekend during their biggest fundraiser, hoping to drive momentum in the fast approaching midterms.<\/p>\n
Historically seen as a swing state, Florida has swung right in recent elections. <\/p>\n
Former U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg was there, telling a packed crowd that no state is permanently red.<\/p>\n
Latino voters helped President Trump become the first Republican to win Miami-Dade County since 1988.<\/p>\n
Buttigieg was asked how Democrats can gain those voters back in the next election.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think Democrats need to be relentlessly focused on the issues that drive people\u2019s lives,\u201d he said. \u201cA lot of that is economic messaging. Whether we\u2019re talking to Latino communities or Black voters, a lot of it starts and ends with these everyday life concerns and how expensive costs have become.\u201d<\/p>\n
Competing visions atop the Democratic Party include top candidates for governor, like David Jolly, a former Republican himself, and State Rep. Dotie Joseph from North Miami.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m in a very post-ideological space in my life,\u201d said Jolly. \u201cI believe in the Democratic values, but this is bigger than one party.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m somebody who\u2019s not afraid to work across the aisle, but also not afraid to fight,\u201d said Joseph. \u201cThere are times when we need to stand up and make sure our rights are protected.\u201d<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, there is also a heated race for U.S. Senate.<\/p>\n
State Rep. Angie Nixon and retired U.S Army Lt. Col. Alex Vindman were there looking to convince voters they\u2019re the best pick to challenge incumbent Republican Ashley Moody.<\/p>\n
\u201cDeliver checks and balances, deliver accountability,\u201d said Vindman. <\/p>\n
\u201cPeople are literally going bankrupt just cause they\u2019re trying to stay alive,\u201d said Nixon. <\/p>\n
Democrats want to see more stories like State Sen. Brian Nathan\u2019s.<\/p>\n
He won a special election in Hillsborough County earlier this year, flipping a Trump district.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen you\u2019re knocking on someone\u2019s door, (you ask them) \u2018in the last 10 years, has your life gotten better?\u2019 If the answer is no, it\u2019s time for someone new,\u201d said Nathan. <\/p>\n
Overall, Democrats are hoping for a blue wave despite Florida Republicans having 1.5 million more registered voters, and the state\u2019s redistricting maps give Republicans an advantage.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not about waves, it\u2019s not about statistics,\u201d said incoming Florida House Minority Leader Christine Hunschofsky. \u201cIt\u2019s about people want to feel seen and effectively represented by the people who serve them.\u201d<\/p>\n