Florida Democrats are expressing their excitement over Vice President Kamala Harris’ entry into the presidential race, with the energy being described as “off the charts.” According to members of the state, the grassroots enthusiasm for Harris is unlike anything they have seen before. Meanwhile, the GOP appears to be unfazed by the upcoming November 5th election in the Sunshine State.
Former President Barack Obama endorsed Vice President Harris for president on Friday, in a phone call with former First Lady Michelle Obama. The Harris Campaign shared a segment of the call online, providing a boost of momentum for Harris less than a week after President Biden withdrew from the race.
Democrats in Florida are reporting an unprecedented level of enthusiasm, as the campaign strategizes its next steps.
Jennifer Griffith, Chair of the Pinellas County Democrats, expressed her concern for the Republicans.
According to Griffith, the sheer number of volunteers who have expressed interest has been a challenge for their operations. Unfortunately, they do not currently have the necessary infrastructure and positions to accommodate them all.
According to Griffith, the sudden surge in energy and excitement surrounding the race can be attributed to one major event – the announcement of Kamala Harris as the nominee designate. “There’s no doubt about it, this is a game-changer,” Griffith stated. “It’s comparable to the kind of energy that surrounded Obama’s campaign when he first emerged on the scene.”
According to the Florida team of the Harris Campaign, they have identified the most significant indicators of energy.
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- At least 1,765 have signed up for phone banks
- About a quarter of them NPA voters
- And since Sunday, more than 7,000 have offered to volunteer— which might be higher than any other state.
This weekend is jam-packed for the Harris Florida team as they have 36 events lined up all across Florida. With over 2,600 RSVP’s already confirmed, the team is gearing up for a busy schedule. One of the highlights of the weekend is the Harris golf cart caravan in the Villages, a traditionally red Sumter County area, with at least 200 people expected to participate.
On Thursday, Michael Whatley, the Chair of RNC, expressed his confidence regarding Florida’s polls saying, “We see absolutely nothing in the polls that gives us any heartburn about Florida.”
While in Tampa for a volunteer event focused on ensuring election integrity, Whatley took some time to speak with the press and put a damper on the Democrats’ aspirations for the upcoming November elections.
According to the recent Redfield Strategies poll, former President Donald Trump is currently leading Harris by 8 points in Florida, even when considering third-party candidates. State GOP Chair Evan Power further supported this claim by stating that the Democrats are merely “crying wolf.”
Power stated that since Kamala’s coronation without a single vote, they have gained thousands of registered R voters. He believes that the Florida Republicans dominate in fundraising and voter registration, which are the two areas that provide believable metrics. Power is optimistic about winning the election in November and aims to win big.
During our conversation last week, FL House Speaker, Paul Renner, emphasized the importance of the Republican Party earning their victories up and down the GOP ballot on Election Day. Although he remains optimistic about their chances, Renner acknowledged that success cannot be taken for granted.
Renner believes that it is a mistake to assume that their state will always vote for the Republican party. “I think it’s a sign of overconfidence to declare us a red state forevermore,” he said. Renner believes that the party owes it to the voters to nominate and elect candidates who have integrity, principles, and the courage to follow through on their promises. He warns that if the party chooses candidates who are corrupt or dishonest, they should not be surprised if a Democrat ends up winning the election.
It remains to be seen how much of a surprise, if any, Florida will experience on election night, which is just under 100 days away.
