The Florida governor’s inability to narrow the gap in the polls against Donald Trump has injected a renewed sense of purpose into a party that has long been relegated to the political sidelines.
While Governor Ron DeSantis was absent from Miami Beach on Saturday night, his presence was keenly felt. The Florida Democratic Party held its annual Leadership Blue gala, the largest gathering of the party since DeSantis secured a commanding victory in his re-election bid, winning by almost 20 percentage points. This resounding triumph seemed to be the final blow for Florida Democrats, pushing them further into irrelevance and setting the stage for DeSantis’ anticipated 2024 presidential campaign.
However, the prevailing atmosphere over the weekend did not reflect a party in decline. DeSantis’ struggling presidential campaign, trailing significantly behind Donald Trump in public opinion polls, has injected a burst of energy into Democrats who have been desperately searching for a lifeline. Actor Bradley Whitford, a Democratic activist best known for his role in the early-2000s TV show “The West Wing,” delivered a keynote address at the gala, focusing on revitalizing the Florida Democratic Party and launching scathing attacks on DeSantis. Whitford’s comment referring to DeSantis as a “f—– coward” received a standing ovation. He went on to say, “He is afraid of history. He is afraid of people different from him. He is afraid of Donald Trump.” Whitford’s jest about DeSantis’ political ad, “Top Gov,” portraying him as a fighter pilot à la Tom Cruise in the movie “Top Gun,” was met with great enthusiasm. He jokingly added, “That’s right, Top Gov is a bit of a bottom.” Whitford also reveled in DeSantis’ poor performance in the polls against Trump, stating, “The more people get to know Ronnie D… the less they seem to like him.” DeSantis’ campaign did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Despite the upbeat ambiance at the gala, Florida Democrats continue to face significant institutional challenges as the 2024 election cycle takes shape. Republicans have now surpassed Democrats in voter registration for the first time in Florida’s political history. Previously, Democrats held an advantage of approximately 700,000 registered voters inCopy 5: The Florida governor’s struggle to close the gap in the polls against Donald Trump has infused a sense of renewed vigor into a party that has long been mired in political obscurity.
While Governor Ron DeSantis was not present in Miami Beach on Saturday night, his influence reverberated throughout the venue. The Florida Democratic Party organized its annual Leadership Blue gala, marking the party’s most significant gathering since DeSantis secured a commanding victory in his re-election campaign, triumphing by nearly 20 percentage points. This resounding win seemed to serve as the final nail in the coffin for Florida Democrats, leaving them seemingly defeated and paving the way for DeSantis’ anticipated bid for the 2024 presidency.
Nevertheless, the prevailing atmosphere over the weekend did not mirror a party in decline. DeSantis’ faltering presidential campaign, languishing far behind Donald Trump in public opinion polls, has injected a surge of energy into Democrats who have been desperately craving a boost. Actor Bradley Whitford, a prominent Democratic activist known for his role in the early-2000s television series “The West Wing,” delivered a riveting keynote speech at the gala, igniting the spirit of the Florida Democratic Party and launching scathing critiques of DeSantis. Whitford’s daring proclamation labeling DeSantis as a “f—– coward” elicited a thunderous standing ovation. He proceeded to assert, “He is afraid of history. He is afraid of people who are different from him. He is afraid of Donald Trump.” Whitford’s clever jibe at DeSantis’ political advertisement, “Top Gov,” depicting him as a fighter pilot reminiscent of Tom Cruise in the film “Top Gun,” was met with resounding applause. He humorously added, “That’s right, Top Gov is a bit of a bottom.” Whitford also relished in DeSantis’ dismal performance in polling against Trump, remarking, “The more people get to know Ronnie D… the less they seem to like him.” At the time of reporting, DeSantis’ campaign had not responded to requests for comment.
However, despite the celebratory ambiance at the gala, Florida Democrats continue to grapple with substantial institutional challenges as the 2024 election cycle unfolds. Republicans have achieved a historic feat by overtaking Democrats in voter registration for the first time in Florida’s political history. Previously, Democrats enjoyed an advantage of approximately 700,000 registered voters in the mid-2000s. Furthermore, the national Democratic Party has shifted its attention to states like Georgia, North Carolina, and Arizona, considering them more cost-effective and inclined toward blue politics. As a result, the Florida party is no longer considered a top-tier priority.
In addition, Florida Democrats find themselves without a candidate to challenge incumbent Republican Senator Rick Scott, rendering it the state’s most consequential non-presidential contest next year. Potential Democratic contenders include House Minority Leader Fentrice Driskell, Brevard County School Board member Jennifer Jenkins, and former Representative Debbie Mucarsel-Powell. Mucarsel-Powell was spotted at the Fontainbleau on Miami Beach, the venue of the gala, engaging in discussions with former Representative Val Demings, who unsuccessfully ran against Republican Senator Marco Rubio in 2022.
Since assuming office in January, Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried has made concerted efforts to infuse vitality into a party that has been perceived as stagnant in recent years. During her opening speech at the gala’s main event, Fried not only sought to rally party members but also aimed to challenge Republicans on issues typically associated with the political right. Declaring that conservatives do not possess an exclusive claim to the American flag, Fried emphatically stated, “Let me say this loud and clear, I am tired.” Pointing to the half dozen American flags adorning the stage behind her, she continued, “Well, they do not.” Fried’s entrance was accompanied by the iconic song “I Won’t Back Down” by Tom Petty, echoing the theme of her speech and reminiscent of “Never Back Down,” the name of the pro-DeSantis super PAC supporting his presidential aspirations. Fried also underscored the unexpected wave of momentum with which Florida Democrats embarked on the 2024 election cycle, particularly highlighting the surprise victory of Democrat Donna Deegan over DeSantis-backed Republican Daniel Davis in the mayoral race in Jacksonville. “Winning local races is crucial for building a statewide infrastructure,” Fried emphasized. “We need to win again.”
Throughout the evening, a recurring theme emerged, indicating that despite significant setbacks, Florida Democrats envision a pathway to relevance in what was once the nation’s largest swing state. Democratic Representative Fredricka Wilson stood on stage with the state’s Democratic congressional delegation, currently holding only eight of the state’s 28 congressional seats, and urged the audience not to give up on Florida. Fried concluded her speech by reaffirming her commitment to reintroducing the Democratic Party into conservative strongholds across the state. She couldn’t resist playfully mocking DeSantis’ choice of footwear, which has garnered increased attention on the presidential campaign trail due to speculation about his use of elevated boots and shoes to appear taller. Fried quipped, “What people see us doing matters. That’s why you will see me crisscrossing our state from Pensacola to Key West, showing up in places that this party has forgotten. I am not afraid to call out his bulls—-.” She added with a grin, “He has terrible taste in shoes… I just couldn’t resist.”