Florida’s Red Deepens in 2024

The Moore Agency?

In the 2024 elections, Florida solidified its status as a Republican stronghold, with the GOP expanding control at both federal and state levels.??

At the federal level, President Donald Trump won his adopted home state of Florida by a 13-point margin, the largest for a presidential candidate in 36 years. Republicans also successfully re-elected Senator Rick Scott to a second term and retained all 20 GOP-held Congressional seats. In a significant shift, Miami-Dade County, traditionally a Democratic stronghold, flipped to Republican control.?

In state legislative races, Republicans maintained their supermajorities in both chambers:?

• State Senate: 28 Republicans, 12 Democrats?

• State House: 85 Republicans, 35 Democrats?

The two high-profile constitutional amendments in Florida's 2024 election — one to legalize recreational marijuana and another to establish broad abortion rights — both failed to pass. While these measures garnered significant support, neither achieved the required 60% supermajority threshold for approval. Despite majority support, strong opposition from Governor Ron DeSantis and his Republican allies, as well as the high threshold for passage, contributed to both amendments falling short of the required supermajority. The amendments' failure maintains the status quo: marijuana remains available only for medical use, and existing abortion restrictions, including the six-week ban, remain in place.?

The election saw moderate turnout in Florida, with some analysts suggesting the constitutional amendments may have increased voter participation, particularly among younger voters and women. However, this increased engagement did not significantly alter the overall political landscape of Florida, which remains firmly under Republican control at both the state and federal levels.?

Florida lawmakers face significant challenges in 2025, including potential budget deficits from 2026, necessitating a focus on long-term fiscal sustainability through reassessment of spending priorities and tax policies. Key areas of concern include:?

• Ongoing efforts to stabilize the property insurance market and manage rising premiums??

• Healthcare, with emphasis on Medicaid funding and addressing workforce shortages?

• Education, where debates over school choice programs, teacher compensation, and parental rights in curriculum decisions are likely to continue.??

Additionally, environmental issues such as water quality, Everglades restoration, and managing the impacts of population growth on natural resources will remain critical.?