Democrats did well in much of the country in the 2022 midterm elections, except for one conspicuous spot: Florida, the once-preeminent battleground that Republicans swept that year in a blowout. Major Democratic donors and political groups mostly abandoned the state after that. Many had already given up on Florida after losing races for Senate and governor by recount margins in 2018, another otherwise good year for Democrats.
So Republicans notched more wins in 2024. Much of the same was expected this year. But ruby-red Florida may be starting to look a lighter shade of red.
In the final days of this year’s midterms, big-name politicians from both parties have been making the trek to Florida more than they did in the recent past. On Friday, President Trump is scheduled to hold a rally in Fort Myers, a bastion of reliable MAGA voters in his adopted home state. He is expected to urge his supporters to turn out in force, as they have in past elections, to cast their ballots for Senator Ashley Moody, who is seeking re-election, and for Representative Byron Donalds, who is running for governor.
Donalds are favored to win. But some polls have suggested the contests are closer than expected, especially in the governor’s race, which would be striking in a state that Mr. Trump won by 13 percentage points in 2024.
Ron DeSantis won re-election in 2022 by nearly 20 points. Top Democrats and progressives have started to look at Florida with some interest, despite remaining wary about a state they have repeatedly failed to win this decade. Former President Bill Clinton campaigned and raised money for David Jolly, the Democratic nominee for governor, in South Florida this week.
Last weekend, Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont drew thousands of people to four rallies for State Representative Angie Nixon, the Democratic Senate nominee. Former Vice President Kamala Harris and Senator Chuck Schumer, the Democratic leader, are scheduled to hold virtual events for Ms. Nixon. (Former President Barack Obama has not weighed in on either race.) Ms.
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