Incredible new data shows how Republicans now far outnumber Democrats in a state that was once deep purple

UK Daily Mail ^ | August 10 2024 | Stephen M. Lepore

[knighthawk]

Stunning new figures show how Florida has gone from being a 'purple' state with a roughly-even split between Republicans and Democrats to a deep red GOP enclave.

Florida was once considered the ultimate toss-up state, with Barack Obama winning it twice and the state having Democrat governors and members of the US Senate.

But it has become a GOP stronghold since Republican Governor Ron DeSantis won his gubernatorial election in 2022.

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TOPICS: News/Current Events; US: Florida
KEYWORDS: florida; rondesantis

[AZJeep]

This is kind of miracle!
DeSantis became governor by barely beating ultra leftie Dem.
What happened then?
Any Florida guys can explain?

[Leaning Right]

Governor DeSantis is doing a fine job. That certainly plays a part. But let’s not overlook the effect of places like Del Boca Vista.

[irishjuggler]

This is great for FL. But if they’re picking off too many GOP voters from other states, that’s not so great for the other states nor, consequently, the country as a whole. In other words, if you’re a GOP voter in a state like PA or GA or MI, stay there. We need your vote there, not in FL.

[Jyotishi]

Congratulations, Floridians!

[Spacetrucker]

I stayed in PA for well over 50 years, always voting to put decent people in office. It did me and the state no good; I just couldn’t take it any more and moved to Texas. I have NO regrets.

[SteveH]

i wonder where in florida hurricane flooding is minimized

[lone star annie]

Rick Scott and DeSantis got rid of the cheaters in Broward and West Palm Beach counties for one. Florida is also a closed primary state.

[piasa]

The closed primary is one reason Florida’s Democrats register as Republicans, and unfortunately you must take the voter registration numbers with a big grain of salt.

[Choppo]

So true, when you stop a lot of the frauds, any state can become a red state. I still don’t believe more than half of the people in CA are that stupid.

[srmanuel]

Desantis at the time was a relatively unknown politician in Florida, he was a congressman in a deep red district in North Florida, he had defeated an establishment Republican from the Jeb Bush mold in the primary which angered a lot of Republicans.

The number of registered Democrats in Florida slightly outnumbered Republicans at the time of the election, the turnaround was just getting into high gear at the time.

Andrew Gillum was the next coming of Obama, Mayor of Tallahassee who had defeated a well-known Democrat in the primary, he had not only the statewide media behind him, he also had the national media behind him.

DeSantis held on and won by a very small margin, but he was ripe for a loss considering all the issues at the time.

[piasa]

Cautiously optimistic. But there are nowhere near the numbers of Trump flags or other election paraphernalia here as in 2020 or 2016.
That is probably due to everyone suffering a sour economy- no money to spare- but still, I would rather there be the crazy truck drivers roaring about with the flags a flying.

I suspect people have just tuned out, already set on who they are not voting for...

Biden is not liked by anyone and I don’t think the Dems even know who Kamala is. But the grey haired women are terrified of losing their SS and the media has them convinced Trump is going to take it away.

People will sell out their grandkids and country to insure that SS check keeps coming, just as the entitlement crowd will sell anyone and everything out to keep their EBT cards and obamaphones.

[SaveFerris]

[deep purple]

When the deep purple falls,
over sleepy garden walls

Or do I do ‘My woman from Tokyo”?

[Rockingham]

I am a life long Floridian and worked in state government. I also worked on the staff of the Republican Party of Florida for over two decades as the political transition took place, with DeSantis benefiting by being in office as it reached a tipping point. The keys to the shift from Blue to Red were:

(1) The migration of conservatives and Republicans to Florida for sun, beaches, low taxes, low crime, easy retirement, and for opportunity as the state's economy developed based on trade, tourism, education, and high technology.

(2) A colorful and highly capable Republican Party of Florida Chairman, Tom Slade, who, at a decisive moment, recruited tough-minded, dedicated Republican political professionals and set them loose to win elections. Again and again, the RPOF took state legislative swing seats from the Democrats. This grew the GOP political base in state politics and diminished that of the Democrats.

(3) The recruitment and development of Florida's Cuban American community into (mostly) conservative Republicans. this fit with their natural inclinations but was by no means certain. Energetic and consistent Florida GOP effort made it so.

(4) Florida's business community and the state NRA affiliate developed strong political and lobbying operations that aligned with the Florida GOP and helped win elections and push for conservative legislation. And,

(5) Good policy-making and solid performance by Florida's Republican legislators and governors resulted in low taxes, limited spending, and cuts to regulation. This fostered a favorable business environment. Pro-gun and pro-law enforcement measures also improved public safety and reduced crime.

(6) Over fierce teacher union and Democratic opposition, Florida legislators and governors enacted and supported school choice and thereby improved elementary and secondary education. Budget lines for state spending for higher education grew enough to support Florida's state university system and develop it into one of the best in the country, with concentration in STEM subjects and professions.

[Pete Dovgan]

I believe the change here in Florida is mostly secondary to election integrity.
Broward and Palm Beach county especially. This has benn a gift of Rick Scott and Gov. DeSantis.

[Rlsau1]

Gillum would have been an absolute disaster as governor. The left just doesn’t care about morals, ethics, honesty, etc. as they only care about winning in order to gain power and access to the public treasury. The dem party at heart is basically a criminal organization masquerading as a political party.

[srmanuel]

Gillum would have been a disaster, he was the perfect Democratic candidate, black man who was the mayor of Tallahassee, married with children, very articulate and was heavily backed by all the media and big democratic money.

The Republican party was somewhat fractured, DeSantis defeated Adam Putnam in the primary, he was the agricultural commissioner of the state, which is an elected office, he had the Jeb Bush wing of the party behind him and when DeSantis defeated him, it pissed off a lot of Republicans which resulted in how close the election was.

[rfp1234]

“Soldier of Fortune”, from Stormbringer.

[mewzilla]

It’s not the Republicans scaring the hell out of Deep State.

It’s the Dems, especially Donald Dems, who have left Deep State’s reservation.

We’re the reason Deep State has to steal elections.

And we aren’t coming back.

[P.O.E.]

Winner of the most apt screen name for this thread.