Malcolm Rivera
Vice President Kamala Harris' performance in Florida is a key indicator of her campaign's success. Florida has been a Republican-leaning state in recent years, with Democrats facing an uphill battle to win over voters. While Harris has been competitive in some polls, others show her trailing former President Donald Trump, who is seeking a third consecutive term. Harris' campaign has focused on issues like abortion rights, which are also important to some Florida voters, and she has a lead among independent voters in the state. With Florida's large number of electoral votes, her performance there could significantly impact the election outcome.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Florida's status as a battleground state | Doubtful; Florida has been regarded as a reliable state for Republicans in recent years |
| Number of registered Republicans vs. Democrats | 1 million more registered Republicans than Democrats |
| Harris' performance in Florida polls | Harris is down 3.6 percentage points to Trump (49.3% to 45.6%) according to FiveThirtyEight's polling averages; other polls show similar results |
| Harris' performance among independent voters | Harris is leading Trump by 14 points among independents, with 55% support compared to Trump's 41% |
| Harris' performance among voters who have already cast their ballots | Harris is leading Trump among voters whose ballots are already in |
| Harris' performance among women in Florida | Despite the Democrat's potential to make history, women in Florida are breaking for the Republican nominee |
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What You'll Learn
Florida Democrats' support for Kamala Harris
Florida Democrats have shown their support for Kamala Harris, with the Florida Democratic Party chair, Nikki Fried, stating that Harris "keeps Florida in play". Fried also emphasised the importance of unity among Democrats to defeat Donald Trump in the upcoming election. Florida Democrats are hoping that enthusiasm for Harris will help turn Florida blue again, despite the state having more registered Republicans than Democrats by about a million voters.
Florida House Democratic Leader Fentrice Driskell expressed her support for Harris, highlighting her experience as a governing partner to President Biden and her ability to energise the electorate. State Senator Shevrin Jones urged Florida Democrats to unite behind Harris, stating that infighting only serves the Republicans. Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz also endorsed Harris, calling her the "most accomplished and qualified candidate" and the best-positioned Democrat to beat Trump.
Florida Senate Democratic Leader Lauren Book praised Harris's leadership and vision, stating that she has the experience to lead the country forward with compassion and competence. Donna Deegan, the first woman to serve as mayor of Jacksonville, also voiced her support for Harris, expressing gratitude for Biden's leadership and confidence in Harris as the next president. Senator-elect Carlos Guillermo Smith shared his optimism about Harris, believing that she will re-energise the Democratic coalition and defeat Trump.
According to polls, Harris leads Trump among independent voters in Florida, although Trump maintains an overall lead in the state. Despite this, Harris has the support of Democrats in Florida, who believe in her ability to unite the party and win the election.
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Harris' lead over Trump in Florida
Kamala Harris, the current Vice President of the United States and the Democratic nominee for President in the 2024 election, has made numerous visits to Florida during her time in office. Harris has visited Florida 12 times as vice president, with a 13th visit planned for July 2024 that was postponed due to the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump.
Harris has focused on several key issues during her visits to Florida, including abortion, gun violence, education, and climate change. She has been a vocal critic of Florida's abortion restrictions, blaming Trump for the state's six-week abortion ban and pledging to fight for reproductive freedom. Harris has also addressed gun violence, particularly in the wake of the tragic school shooting in Parkland that claimed the lives of 17 people. In terms of education, Harris has criticized Republican-led changes to the Florida education system, including the revision of Black history curriculum taught in schools. Additionally, she has discussed the state's efforts to address rising sea levels and protect low-lying neighborhoods from storm surges.
Harris' campaign has launched a bus tour in Florida focused on reproductive rights, with multiple stops planned in battleground states. The tour aims to emphasize the contrast between Harris and her running mate, Governor Walz, who support reproductive freedom, and Trump and his running mate, who have demonstrated support for abortion restrictions. The campaign hopes to appeal to Floridians opposed to the state's abortion ban and garner more votes for the Harris-Walz ticket.
While there are no direct polls comparing Harris and Trump in Florida, it is worth noting that Florida is a state that is trending increasingly red. Harris faces an uphill battle in the state, but her multiple visits and focus on issues important to Floridians could help her gain support. It is also important to consider the broader national context and the performance of both candidates in other battleground states when assessing the race in Florida.
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Harris' public appearances in Florida
In May 2024, then-Vice President Kamala Harris made a public appearance in Jacksonville, Florida, as part of her "Fight for Reproductive Freedoms" tour. The visit was timed to coincide with the state's six-week abortion ban taking effect, and Harris used the opportunity to discuss the dangers of state abortion bans and to blame "Donald Trump [for] this."
In July 2024, Harris's campaign in Florida geared up with an "action weekend" of community-building and voter outreach activities. This included meet-and-greets in Pensacola, Fort Walton Beach, and Panama City, as well as a "Black Leaders Roundtable" in Quincy hosted by Gadsden County Commissioner Brenda Holt. The campaign also deployed 1,765 volunteers to 16 phone banks to introduce Harris to independent voters and encourage inactive voters to participate again. The goal was to build community, expand the Democrats' base, and mobilize a surge of new volunteers.
On the same weekend, Florida Democrats began working to secure the state's 30 presidential electoral votes for Harris in the November election. They rallied in cities from Pensacola to Miami with training sessions, phone banks, an ice cream social, and a mile-long golf cart caravan. Harris was in a close race against former President Donald Trump, who was favored by experts to win Florida. However, a poll at the time showed Harris with a slight lead over Trump.
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Golf cart rallies for Harris in Florida
Vice President Kamala Harris is leading former President Donald Trump among independent voters in Florida, according to a recent poll. The Marist Poll shows Harris ahead by 14 points among independents, with 55% support compared to Trump's 41%. This lead is significant, as Florida was once a pivotal swing state, and a strong showing here could have important implications for the election.
To capitalize on this support, Harris' campaign has organized a series of golf cart rallies throughout Florida's retirement communities, a key demographic for her campaign. The rallies have been well-received, with enthusiastic participation from residents. The events have been a creative way to engage voters and encourage them to get involved in the political process.
One such rally took place in The Villages, Florida's largest retirement community. Hundreds of residents turned out to show their support for Harris, donning campaign t-shirts and waving flags as they paraded through the community's wide streets in their golf carts. The event concluded with a speech from a local Democratic representative, who emphasized the importance of the resident's votes in this election.
Another rally was held in Boca Raton, where a similar scene unfolded. The event began with a moment of silence for those affected by the recent hurricanes, followed by an energetic golf cart procession. The participants, many of whom were women, expressed their support for Harris and her policies, particularly her stance on abortion rights.
These golf cart rallies have been a unique and effective way to engage Florida's independent and retired voters, two crucial demographics for the Harris campaign. The rallies have generated a sense of excitement and community, and the campaign hopes that this momentum will translate into votes on election day.
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Threats against Harris in Florida
In late March 2025, Franklin Jarrell, a 59-year-old Florida man, was arrested on charges of sending threatening communications and making threats against a federal official. Jarrell allegedly posted threatening comments on TikTok, targeting Harris and Representative Ilhan Omar. In one instance, he wrote that he would "blow [Harris'] head off with a sniper rifle." The Secret Service, upon discovering these threats, traced the comments back to Jarrell and brought charges against him. This incident sparked conversations about the increasing frequency of threats against public servants and the need for equal justice and vigorous defence of free speech without condoning violent rhetoric.
The Jarrell case also highlights the troubling pattern of threats against conservative figures receiving less media attention and a seemingly less urgent response from authorities. Some commentators argue that threats against liberal politicians receive immediate condemnation and swift action, while threats against conservatives often disappear from headlines within days. This discrepancy raises questions about the equal application of justice across the political spectrum.
In the context of the 2024 election, Florida was a key state, with both the Trump and Harris campaigns vying for its electoral votes. While Trump held a lead in the state, Harris was favoured among independent voters, according to polls. The state's shift from a pivotal swing state to a conservative bastion added complexity to the electoral landscape.
The threats against Harris in Florida underscore the challenges faced by women and minorities in politics, where they are subjected to heightened scrutiny and often face disproportionate criticism and threats. It is crucial that all Americans feel safe to participate in the political process, and that threats of violence are addressed swiftly and justly, regardless of political differences.
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Frequently asked questions
Kamala Harris is doing well in Florida, leading former President Donald Trump among independent voters in the state, according to a Marist Poll. However, other polls show Trump leading Harris by a few percentage points.
Florida is considered a crucial state for any presidential candidate, with its large number of electoral votes. Although it has become a conservative bastion in recent years, Harris' team believes that issues like abortion may make the state competitive for Democrats in the upcoming election.
Florida has 30 electoral votes, making it a significant prize for any presidential candidate.
Kamala Harris has made abortion rights a central issue in her campaign. She has spoken out against Florida's new six-week abortion ban and believes that Democrats can compete in the state due to this issue.
Florida has become increasingly challenging for Democratic candidates in recent years, with the state leaning more towards the Republican Party. In 2020, President Joe Biden lost to Donald Trump in Florida by 3.3 percentage points, despite winning the national election.
