Red, Blue, or Neither? The Changing Color of Florida Politics
Florida was a predominantly blue state for decades before becoming a swing state. Now, it is more than 40 percent red, but experts suggest it may not be as firmly red as it appears.
Two-Party Dominance and Third-Party Presence
The two-party system, featuring Democrats and Republicans, became more established between 1824 and 1840. While other parties like Independents and Libertarians exist, it has been over 50 years since a third-party candidate won a state in a presidential election, according to the Pew Research Center.
In Florida, the last third-party win was in 1848 when Zachary Taylor of the Whig Party became president.
Florida’s Political Shifts
Though Florida was mostly blue for many years, some local elections recently flipped to blue, indicating the state might not be as red as some believe. The two main parties have dominated Florida's politics since the Civil War.
From 1972 to 2020, Democrats held the majority of registered voters. In 2021, Republicans gained the lead, steadily expanding their margin since then.
Individual Political Perspectives
Teri H., who grew up Republican, feels differently about the party today.
“I haven't changed that much, but I feel like the party has. And, you know, the party (kind of) abandoned me.”
Teri requested that WUSF not use his last name due to concerns about retaliation at work. After military service, he attended the University of North Florida and served as chair of its College Republicans.
Summary
Florida's political landscape has evolved from solidly blue to a competitive red-leaning state, with ongoing shifts reflecting changing party dynamics and individual experiences.