TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – As election season nears, Florida Democrats say they have the momentum needed to win seats in the Florida State Legislature.
The Republican State Leadership Committee is working hard to defend its two-thirds majority in the Florida House and Senate. Florida Democratic Party Chairwoman Nikki Fried said that’s because the momentum is in Democrats’ favor.
“What we are experiencing here is unprecedented enthusiasm. And now it is our job to turn this energy into action,” said Fried.
Fried said the party has gained 40,000 volunteers since Vice President Kamala Harris launched her presidential campaign. And with Harris in the lead and boosting voter turnout, Fried hopes that will lead to more seats in the House.
“Our candidates are talking about the issues that are important to the people of this state. You’ve all heard me say that there are two issues that are at the center of things,” Fried said.
Political analyst Susan MacManus said she noticed the dynamic last week at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen them so full of energy when they went home, but they were very, very honest and many of the speakers who came on stage stressed the need to keep working and get going right away,” MacManus said.
Fried said they were realistic and knew they would not gain control of the legislature next year, but they hoped to get closer to the Republican two-thirds majority.
Evan Power, chairman of the Florida Republican Party, said he doesn’t think that will happen.
“The Florida Republican Party has more registered voters, more donations and more manpower than the Democrats. There’s nothing they can do except build momentum,” Power said.
Even with a million more registered voters, some elections in November would still be tough, Power said.
“The fight has become even tougher now that we’ve won here in Florida. But we’re ready to get through this,” Power said.
There are currently 111 Republicans in the legislature, but only 48 Democrats.
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