TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA — The Florida GOP took a victory lap over the weekend to celebrate another milestone in the Sunshine State’s recent red wave.
Republicans now lead Democrats by 500,000 registered voters in the state of Florida. The half-a-million benchmark stands in stark contrast to the nearly 300,000 registration lead Democrats held in March 2020.
“Our children and grandchildren will thank us for the voter registration gains we are experiencing today,” Christian Ziegler stated in a press release. “This shift clearly showcases both the strength of the Republican Party and the expedited extinction of the Democrat Party in the Sunshine State, which cannot happen soon enough.”
COVID: A BOON FOR FLORIDA GOP
Republicans have enjoyed steady wins since the onset of COVID in March 2020. The most dramatic shifts coincided with Florida’s decision to lift restrictions ahead of most other states in America.
From July 2020 to December 2020, Democrats in Florida saw their lead tank by roughly 150,000 voters.
In addition to the Florida GOP’s post-COVID surge, the party has also flipped 24 counties red since 2016 – including 14 since 2018.
FRIED HOPES TO LEAD TURNAROUND
The Florida Democrat Party’s steady decline led to a change in leadership when Chair Manny Diaz stepped down in January.
Former Agriculture Commissioner and gubernatorial candidate Nikki Fried took the baton from Diaz in February and has already begun making waves.
In April, Fried and Florida Senate Minority Leader Lauren Book were arrested while protesting the legislature’s new abortion restrictions.
On May 16, Fried enjoyed her first major victory with Donna Deegan defeating Republican Daniel Davis in the Jacksonville mayoral election.
Last week, Fried announced that tickets for the Florida Democrat Party’s annual Leadership Gala had sold out “for the first time in a long time.”
