Red, blue, or neither? The changing color of Florida politics

Red, Blue, or Neither? The Changing Color of Florida Politics

Florida was a predominantly blue state for decades before shifting to a swing state. Now, more than 40 percent of registered voters identify as red. However, experts caution it might not be as red as it seems.

Two-Party Dominance and Third Parties

The two-party system, consisting of Democrats and Republicans, became firmly established between 1824 and 1840. Other political groups, such as Independents and Libertarians, also exist. Still, a third-party candidate has not won a state in a presidential election for over 50 years according to the Pew Research Center. In Florida, the last time was back in 1848 when Zachary Taylor of the Whig Party became president.

Florida's Political Shifts

The Sunshine State was largely blue for decades, with Democrats holding the majority of registered voters from 1972 to 2020. In 2021, Republicans took the lead and have steadily expanded their margin since then. Despite that, some local elections recently flipped to blue, indicating the state's political landscape remains competitive.

Personal Perspectives

“I haven't changed that much, but I feel like the party has. And, you know, the party (kind of) abandoned me.”

Teri H., who grew up Republican, shared this sentiment after joining the military and then becoming chair of the College Republicans at the University of North Florida. Teri asked that his last name not be used to avoid job-related retaliation.

Summary

Florida's political identity continues to evolve, reflecting complex voter shifts beyond simple red or blue labels.

WLRN — 2025-11-07