This week, Democratic National Committee Chair Jaime Harrison traveled to Tallahassee, Florida, to celebrate the Florida Democratic Party’s historic success in recruiting candidates to contest every congressional and state legislative race in 2024. This is the first time in 30 years that Democrats have contested this many seats and is yet another example of the growing momentum for Democrats as we approach November.

During the press conference, Chair Harrison emphasized how Democrats in every corner of the Sunshine State will have a reason to head to the polls in November thanks to the record-breaking slate of candidates running this year. Chair Harrison also highlighted how MAGA Republicans’ unpopular extreme agenda is another motivator for voters this November, and already, polls are showing that Democrats are gaining traction in Florida. Finally, Chair Harrison made it clear that Democrats at the national and local levels know that Florida is in play this year, and they are committed to flipping the state this fall. 

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WFTS Tampa Bay: DNC Chair predicts ‘Florida, Florida, Florida in play’ come November

[6/18/24, Forrest Saunders]

Key Point: “‘Florida is in play,’ said Harrison in an exclusive interview. ‘That’s why I am here right now.’

“Harrison was emphatic that despite what you might think, Dems have a serious shot in Florida. He insisted that the national party was committing to a competitive race and that the beleaguered state party had a shot at success up and down the ballot.” 

Tallahassee Democrat: National, state Democratic leaders say they have a plan to break the GOP lock in 

[6/18/24, James Call]

Key Point: “In June, for the first time since the 1960s, the Democrats became the first Florida political party to field candidates in every legislative race. 

“Harrison, without mentioning any dollar amounts, pledged to assist the state party with a coordinated campaign through 12 Joe Biden-Kamala Harris reelection offices that will open across the state this summer. 

“‘Florida is important to us in in this equation. And so we’re going to try to do what we can to compete and win in this state,’ Harrison said.”  

WPTV West Palm Beach: DNC chair predicts Florida in play come November; Republican Party says think again

[6/19/2024, Forrest Saunders] 

Key Points: “Despite what you might think, Harrison was emphatic that Democrats have a serious shot in Florida. He insisted that the national party was committing to a competitive race and that the beleaguered state party had a shot at success up and down the ballot.” […] 

“His optimism was buoyed by this, last week’s announcement that Florida Democrats had fielded candidates for every legislative seat this year. It’s a first for the state party in at least 30 years. Something the state chair, Nikki Fried, felt could drive turnout.” […]

“‘The stars are aligning, the planets are aligning, and Florida, Florida, Florida is going to be in that mix,’ Harrison said. ‘And it’s going to be one of the states that people all across the country will be watching very closely in November.’

WCJB (ABC): Florida Democrats getting national support after fielding 140 legislative candidates 

[6/18/2024, Cody Butler] 

Key Point: “Democrats across the country are now saying Florida is in play now the party has candidates in every election to make up the next Florida Legislature. This hasn’t happened since the legislature flipped to Republican control nearly 30 years ago.

“Democrats are hoping to chip away at GOP control in November. The party has candidates running in all 140 seats up for grabs between the state House and Senate.” […]

“On the other hand, Republicans don’t have someone in every district which means a Democrat automatically wins some seats. Still, they’re not worried about losing their super-majority at the Florida Capitol.”

“Every House seat and only half the Senate will be on the ballot in November. Right now, of the 160 members of the Florida Legislature, only 48 are Democrats. Republicans left 22 seats unopposed.”

Tampa Bay Creative Loafing: Juneteenth goes unobserved by Florida state government

[6/19/2024,  Michael Moline] 

Key Point: “Democratic National Committee Chair Jaime Harrison, who insisted the national party wouldn’t ignore Florida.

“‘Florida is not an easy state to win, but we are organizing. We are doing the work. We’re doing the work that’s on the ground that will be needed to break the supermajority to elect Democrats up and down the ballot and take back Florida because when we organize, we win,’ he said.

“Beyond opening field offices, Harrison didn’t describe what the national investment in Florida would look like, despite multiple questions about that from reporters.

“‘Florida is important to us in this equation, so we’re going to try to do what we can to compete and win in the state,’ Harrison said. ‘And so, we’ll look and see what the numbers are, but Nikki knows that we’ve already opened a coordinated campaign office, that is, with Biden-Harris campaign staff. Again, we’re not going to waste resources that we don’t think we can win. We’re going to invest in the state, and we are going to compete to win.’”

Florida Phoenix: FL Democrats hope to use contests in every legislative race to undo GOP supermajority

[6/18/24, Jackie Llanos]

Key Point: “‘Today, we’re putting Republicans on notice. You’re not dealing with the same old Democrats. We’re creating a new era of Florida politics, and we are going to prove it this November and start down that path to taking back our state,’ Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried said during a press conference Tuesday.

“Also attending were candidates for seats all over the state plus Democratic National Committee Chair Jaime Harrison, who insisted the national party wouldn’t ignore Florida.

“‘Florida is not an easy state to win, but we are organizing. We are doing the work. We’re doing the work that’s on the ground that will be needed to break the supermajority to elect Democrats up and down the ballot and take back Florida because when we organize, we win,’ he said.”

WCJB: Florida Democrats getting national support after fielding 140 legislative candidates

[6/18/2024, Cody Butler]

Key Point: Democrats are hoping to chip away at GOP control in November. The party has candidates running in all 140 seats up for grabs between the state House and Senate.

“Folks, Democrats are about to take Florida back,” Democratic National Committee Chairman Jaime Harrison said.

“Harrison was in Tallahassee Tuesday promising support for Democratic candidates up and down the ballot in November.

“‘Florida is important to us in this equation. We’re going to try to do what we can to compete and win in this state,’ Harrison said.”

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Scripps News: Florida Democrats believe state is in play ahead of November presidential election

Key point: “‘Florida is in play. That’s why I am here right now… We’re opening offices. I feel good about the direction we’re going and I believe in November of this year, we’re going to be saying ‘Florida, Florida, Florida.’ [Chairman Jaime Harrison said.]”

WECP-TV Channel 7 News: DNC Chair Promising Support for Democratic Candidates Up and Down the Ballot 

Key point: “For nearly 30 years, the Florida legislature has been under Republican control, control Democrats are hoping to chip away at in November. The party has candidates running in all 140 seats up for grabs between the state House and Senate. ‘Well folks, Democrats are about to take Florida back,’ [said Chairman Jamie Harrison.”