Florida is a state that often defies political expectations and stereotypes. It is a diverse and dynamic state, with a population of over 21 million people and a GDP of over $1 trillion. It is a swing state that has voted for both Republican and Democratic presidents in recent decades, sometimes by razor-thin margins. It is a state that has produced influential national figures, such as former Presidents Donald Trump and Barack Obama, current Governor Ron DeSantis, Senators Marco Rubio and Rick Scott, and Representatives Matt Gaetz and Val Demings.

But Florida is also a state that has experienced conflict and controversy over its politics, policies and governance. It is a state that has been divided by regional, racial, ethnic, cultural and ideological differences. It is a state that has faced challenges such as immigration, climate change, health care, education, voting rights and corruption. It is a state that has witnessed protests, lawsuits, scandals and recounts over its political outcomes.

What are some of the factors that shape Florida politics? How do they affect the state’s elections, legislation and leadership? How do they influence the state’s role and reputation in the national political arena? Here are some of the key aspects of Florida politics that you need to know:

• Geography: Florida is composed of 67 counties and 10 media markets that cover different political cultures and issues. According to The Washington Post¹, most of the state’s electorate lives in just four of those markets — South Florida around Miami and Fort Lauderdale, the Orlando area, the Tampa Bay area, and the Jacksonville area. These areas tend to be more urban, diverse and Democratic-leaning than the rest of the state. The other six markets — Panama City, Pensacola, Tallahassee, Gainesville, Fort Myers and West Palm Beach — tend to be more rural, white and Republican-leaning. These areas are often referred to as the “red wall” or the “red tide” that counterbalances the “blue wave” from the urban areas.
• Demographics: Florida is a racially and ethnically diverse state, with 53% of the population being white, 26% being Hispanic or Latino, 17% being black or African American, 3% being Asian and 1% being other races². The Hispanic population is especially heterogeneous, with different origins, cultures and political views. For example, Cuban Americans tend to be more conservative and Republican-leaning than Puerto Rican Americans or Mexican Americans. The black population is also diverse, with African Americans, Haitian Americans and Caribbean Americans having different histories and perspectives. The white population is also not monolithic, with variations in age, education, income and religion affecting their political preferences.
• History: Florida has a long and complex history that has influenced its politics over time. It was the first part of the continental US to be explored by Europeans in the 16th century. It was ruled by Spain, France and Britain before becoming part of the US in 1821. It was one of the original Confederate states during the Civil War and was under Reconstruction until 1877. It experienced rapid growth and development in the 20th century due to tourism, agriculture, industry and immigration. It became a swing state in presidential elections since 1960s due to its large electoral votes (currently 29) and its changing demographics. It gained national attention in 2000 when its disputed vote count decided the outcome of the presidential election between George W. Bush and Al Gore.
• Issues: Florida faces many issues that affect its politics at the state and national level. Some of these issues are:
  • Immigration: Florida is one of the top destinations for immigrants in the US, with over 4 million foreign-born residents². Immigration is a contentious issue in Florida politics, with debates over border security, legalization, citizenship, refugees and asylum seekers. Some politicians have used anti-immigrant rhetoric to appeal to their base voters, while others have advocated for more humane and comprehensive immigration reform.
  • Climate change: Florida is one of the most vulnerable states to the effects of climate change, such as sea level rise, coastal erosion, flooding, hurricanes and droughts. Climate change is an urgent issue in Florida politics, with implications for the environment, economy, public health and national security. Some politicians have denied or downplayed the reality of climate change or opposed any regulations or actions to mitigate it, while others have acknowledged the threat and supported measures to adapt and reduce emissions.
  • Health care: Florida is one of the states that has not expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), leaving over 800,000 low-income residents without health insurance³. Health care is a critical issue in Florida politics, with debates over the cost, quality and access of health care services and coverage. Some politicians have opposed the ACA or any government involvement in health care, while others have supported the ACA or advocated for more reforms such as a public option or Medicare for All.
  • Education: Florida is one of the states that has implemented various school choice programs, such as vouchers, charter schools and tax credit scholarships, that allow parents to send their children to private or alternative schools using public funds. Education is a divisive issue in Florida politics, with arguments over the funding, accountability and performance of public and private schools. Some politicians have championed school choice as a way to empower parents and improve education outcomes, while others have criticized school choice as a way to undermine public education and promote segregation and inequality.
  • Voting rights: Florida is one of the states that has enacted restrictive voting laws, such as voter ID requirements, limits on mail-in ballots and drop boxes, and bans on ballot harvesting and giving water to voters in line⁴. Voting rights is a fundamental issue in Florida politics, with implications for the participation, representation and legitimacy of the electoral process. Some politicians have justified these laws as a way to prevent voter fraud and ensure election integrity, while others have denounced these laws as a way to suppress voter turnout and disenfranchise marginalized groups.

Florida politics is a fascinating and complex phenomenon that reflects the state’s diversity, dynamism and challenges. It is a state that can make or break the fortunes of politicians and parties at the state and national level. It is a state that can shape the direction and destiny of the country and the world.

Florida is one of the most populous and politically influential states in the nation, with 29 electoral votes and a history of close and contentious elections. In 2022, Florida voters will have the opportunity to elect several statewide officials, including the governor, the lieutenant governor, the attorney general, the chief financial officer and the agriculture commissioner. These offices are responsible for various aspects of the state’s executive branch, such as implementing laws, enforcing regulations, managing finances and overseeing programs. In this blog post, we will provide an overview of the candidates and issues that will shape the 2022 elections for Florida statewide positions.

Governor and Lieutenant Governor

The governor is the head of the state’s executive branch and has the power to appoint officials, veto bills, propose budgets, declare emergencies and grant pardons. The lieutenant governor is the second-in-command and serves as the president of the state senate. The governor and lieutenant governor run on a joint ticket and are elected for four-year terms, with a limit of two consecutive terms.

The incumbent governor is Ron DeSantis ®, who was elected in 2018 by a margin of 0.4 percentage points over Democrat Andrew Gillum. DeSantis is a former U.S. representative and Navy veteran who has aligned himself with former President Donald Trump and his policies. DeSantis has gained national attention for his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has been praised by some conservatives for being pro-business and pro-freedom, but criticized by some liberals and health experts for being reckless and irresponsible. DeSantis has also championed issues such as election integrity, school choice, anti-riot laws and banning critical race theory in schools.

DeSantis is running for re-election in 2022 with his current lieutenant governor, Jeanette Nuñez ®, who is a former state representative and health care executive. DeSantis faces no serious primary challengers and is widely expected to win the Republican nomination.

The Democratic field for governor is more crowded and competitive, with two major candidates vying for the nomination: Charlie Crist and Nikki Fried. Crist is a former governor of Florida who served from 2007 to 2011 as a Republican, but switched parties in 2012 after losing a U.S. Senate race to Marco Rubio ®. Crist then ran for governor again in 2014 as a Democrat, but lost to Rick Scott ® by 1 percentage point. Crist is currently a U.S. representative for Florida’s 13th congressional district, which covers parts of Pinellas County. Crist has positioned himself as a moderate Democrat who can appeal to independent and crossover voters. He has criticized DeSantis for his response to the pandemic, his ties to Trump and his divisive agenda.

Fried is the current agriculture commissioner of Florida, who was elected in 2018 by a margin of 0.08 percentage points over Republican Matt Caldwell. Fried is the only statewide elected Democrat in Florida and the first woman to serve as agriculture commissioner. Fried is a former attorney and lobbyist who has focused on issues such as consumer protection, environmental conservation, medical marijuana and gun safety. Fried has portrayed herself as a progressive Democrat who can energize the base and challenge DeSantis on his record. She has accused DeSantis of being corrupt, incompetent and authoritarian.

Other candidates who have filed or expressed interest in running for governor as Democrats include Cadance Daniel, Robert Willis, Daniel Uhlfelder and Annette Taddeo.

Attorney General

The attorney general is the chief legal officer of the state and has the authority to prosecute crimes, defend state laws, represent state agencies and protect consumers. The attorney general is elected for four-year terms, with a limit of two consecutive terms.

The incumbent attorney general is Ashley Moody ®, who was elected in 2018 by a margin of 6.4 percentage points over Democrat Sean Shaw. Moody is a former judge and prosecutor who has aligned herself with DeSantis and Trump on various issues. Moody has sued the Biden administration over immigration policies, joined other Republican attorneys general in challenging the 2020 presidential election results and supported anti-riot laws and election integrity measures.

Moody is running for re-election in 2022 and faces no serious primary challengers. She is widely expected to win the Republican nomination.

The Democratic field for attorney general is more crowded and competitive, with three major candidates vying for the nomination: Aramis Ayala, Jim Lewis and Daniel Uhlfelder. Ayala is a former state attorney for the Ninth Judicial Circuit, which covers Orange and Osceola counties. She was elected in 2016 as the first African American state attorney in Florida, but did not seek re-election in 2020 after facing backlash from some law enforcement officials and politicians for her decision to not pursue the death penalty in any cases. Ayala has positioned herself as a progressive Democrat who can reform the criminal justice system and protect civil rights.

Lewis is a criminal defense attorney and former prosecutor who has run for various offices in the past, including attorney general in 2010 and 2014. Lewis has focused on issues such as environmental protection, consumer protection and marijuana legalization.

Uhlfelder is an attorney and activist who gained national attention for dressing up as the Grim Reaper and protesting at Florida beaches during the COVID-19 pandemic. Uhlfelder has campaigned on issues such as health care, voting rights and accountability.

Other candidates who have filed or expressed interest in running for attorney general as Democrats include Ryan Torrens and Perry Thurston.

Chief Financial Officer

The chief financial officer is the chief fiscal officer of the state and has the responsibility to oversee the state’s finances, audit state agencies, regulate insurance and banking, manage state funds and administer the state’s fire marshal office. The chief financial officer is elected for four-year terms, with a limit of two consecutive terms.

The incumbent chief financial officer is Jimmy Patronis ®, who was appointed to the office by Scott in 2017 after Jeff Atwater ® resigned to take a position at Florida Atlantic University. Patronis was then elected to a full term in 2018 by a margin of 3.8 percentage points over Democrat Jeremy Ring. Patronis is a former state representative and restaurateur who has supported DeSantis and Trump on various issues. Patronis has advocated for lower taxes, less regulation, more transparency and more accountability.

Patronis is running for re-election in 2022 and faces no serious primary challengers. He is widely expected to win the Republican nomination.

The Democratic field for chief financial officer is less crowded and competitive, with one major candidate vying for the nomination: William Rankin. Rankin is a former U.S. Army officer and auditor who ran for chief financial officer in 2014, but lost to Atwater by 18.5 percentage points. Rankin has campaigned on issues such as fiscal responsibility, consumer protection and veterans’ affairs.

Other candidates who have filed or expressed interest in running for chief financial officer as Democrats include Allie Braswell.

Agriculture Commissioner

The agriculture commissioner is the head of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, which regulates and promotes the state’s agriculture industry, protects consumers from fraud and unsafe products, manages state forests and administers school nutrition programs. The agriculture commissioner is elected for four-year terms, with a limit of two consecutive terms.

The incumbent agriculture commissioner is Nikki Fried (D), who was elected in 2018 by a margin of 0.08 percentage points over Republican Matt Caldwell. Fried is a former attorney and lobbyist who has focused on issues such as consumer protection, environmental conservation, medical marijuana and gun safety. Fried is also running for governor in 2022, leaving the agriculture commissioner seat open.

The Republican field for agriculture commissioner is more crowded and competitive, with three major candidates vying for the nomination: James Shaw Jr., Ryan Petty and Berny Jacques. Shaw Jr. is a former state representative and attorney who ran for attorney general in 2018, but lost to Moody by 6.4 percentage points. Shaw Jr. has emphasized his experience in agriculture law and policy, as well as his support for rural communities and small businesses.

Petty is a school safety activist and businessman who lost his daughter in the 2018 Parkland shooting. Petty has advocated for improving mental health services, enhancing school security and protecting Second Amendment rights.

Jacques is a former prosecutor and conservative commentator who ran for state house in 2018, but lost in the Republican primary. Jacques has campaigned on issues such as lowering taxes, reducing regulations, supporting law enforcement and defending constitutional rights.

Other candidates who have filed or expressed interest in running for agriculture commissioner as Republicans include Mike McCalister, Paul Paulson and Thad Hamilton.

The Democratic field for agriculture commissioner is less crowded and competitive, with one major candidate vying for the nomination: Thaddeus Hamilton. Hamilton is a former U.S. Department of Agriculture official and veteran who ran for agriculture commissioner in 2014 and 2018, but lost in the Democratic primaries both times. Hamilton has focused on issues such as food security, water quality, climate change and social justice.

Other candidates who have filed or expressed interest in running for agriculture commissioner as Democrats include David Walker.

Conclusion

Florida statewide positions are important offices that affect various aspects of the state’s government and society. In 2022, Florida voters will have the chance to elect new or re-elect current officials who will shape the direction of the state for the next four years