We need to invest in Florida

Yeah I know, just listen to me

Yes, you read the title, we need to invest in Florida. I know that since Trump won in 2016, Florida feels like a red sink MAGA-infested hellhole that gets more and more red. BUT I have reason to believe from news, reactions and the word of people I strongly believe in that Florida is at least in play as crazy as I might sound. So let me talk about it.

As we all know Florida Governor, Ron DeSantis SUCKS and I don’t just mean as a person but also he’s a horrible governor that has passed policies that have hurt everyone in the state. Due to DeSantis need to play to MAGA hatred of science and reason, he’s fought President Biden’s Green policies which doesn’t help when Florida had a reputation for getting hit by hurricanes long before Trump was none as anything but a property developer in New York and because of global warming, hurricanes are getting STRONGER! This has lead to a beautiful issue that insurance companies LEAVING FLORIDA so home insurance is extremely expensive [1] which hurts EVERYONE in the state. Lets not even talk how DeSantis has done everything he can to “fight woke” which has just been a massive pain in the ass for everyone. From fighting the AP African American courses in High School [2], as well as hurting their gay population with their “Don’t Say Gay” law [3], as well as their BRUTAL abortion law [4]. DeSantis’ just utterly incompetence led to Florida becoming THE hot spot of INFLATION [5]. This has led to utter anger and frustration in Florida that is directed at Republicans which we can take advantage of.

The Florida Democratic Party has also shockingly done a revival. Since Nikki Fried took over, she has taken an aggressive stance towards the state even having some wins under her belt. Democrats won the mayorship in Jacksonville [6] which was called a major upset considering they went against a Republican that had the sponsorship of DeSanis before the 2024 primary destroyed his image. The Florida Democratic Party is also contesting each congressional and legislative race in the state [7] which takes a lot of organization and man power to do. This ensures that the Florida Democrats are motivated to vote in every district which will help both Harris and the Democratic Senator Candidate Debbie Mucarsel-Powell at the top of the ticket. The energy that Harris has brought cannot be ignored with an insane 18K [8] volunteers to help in the Sunshine state. While that alone might not be enough, Florida has also an abortion amendment [9] in November and the history of very abortion amendment/referendum since 2022 has had a clear cut ending, overwhelming victory for abortion rights which gives Democrats plenty of chances.

There is clear momentum on Democrat’s side. Because of Harris’ energy, we even have insane things like the massive golf kart rally in the villages Florida.

Twice.

While that is only a one time thing, recent polling has shown that Harris is eating into Trump’s lead in the state with a recent poll showing her doing well in Miami-Dade [10]. But even if we ignore what could be faulty polls, we have actual proof that something is changing in the state. Republican Senate candidate Rick Scott, is scared. He screams that Florida could go blue [11] as well as him putting more of his OWN money into his campaign before the FL primary is over no less [12] as well as the head of the FL GOP party [13]. Something has them spooked and that is the biggest tell that something is up in the sunshine state.

I’m not sure Florida will flip for Harris but combined with Rick Scott’s unpopularity in the state, I think we should invest if only to potentially pick up a seat in the Senate. In the end, our goal is not only elect Harris but ensure she has a Congress that will work with her and if that means putting money in Florida to freak out Trump and Republicans, sign me up. To put my money where my mouth is:

Donate here for FL Democratic Party via Charles Gaba’s work.

Volunteer for FL Democratic Party Phone Bank

Donate to Debbie Mucarsel-Powell’s campaign

Volunteer for Debbie Mucarsel-Powell’s campaign

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[1]

https://www.thezebra.com/resources/home/florida-insurance-crisis/

[2]

https://www.alligator.org/article/2024/02/florida-education-reform-initiatives-limit-african-american-studies-dei-funds?ct=content_open&cv=cbox_latest

[3]

https://www.axios.com/2024/03/11/florida-settles-lawsuit-dont-say-gay

[4]

https://www.npr.org/2024/05/01/1247990353/florida-6-week-abortion-ban-south

[5]

https://www.cnn.com/2023/07/10/economy/florida-inflation-hotspot-regional/index.html

[6]

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/elections/democrat-donna-deegan-flips-jacksonville-mayors-office-major-upset-rcna84791

[7]

https://www.floridadems.org/2024/06/14/florida-democrats-contest-every-legislative-seat-for-first-time-since-state-flipped/

[8]

https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2024/08/07/what-wave-democratic-volunteers-florida-means-harris-candidacy/

[9]

https://www.pnj.com/story/news/politics/elections/2024/08/15/florida-amendment-4-what-to-know-about-abortion-amendment/74818778007/

[10]

https://www.local10.com/vote-2024/2024/08/09/back-to-blue-democratic-poll-shows-big-lead-for-harris-in-miami-dade/

[11]

https://www.newsweek.com/rick-scott-florida-senate-debbie-mucarsel-powell-blue-1939060

[12]

https://www.alternet.org/rick-scott-campaign/

[13]