With the 2022 midterm elections less than a year away, Florida's gubernatorial election is poised to be the most hotly contested election this midterm cycle. However, donor data is showing a reality starkly contrasted to the media's portrayal of a tight race. Currently, Governor DeSantis (R-FL) is outpacing the Democrat gubernatorial field in donations by tens of millions of dollars.
Commissioner of Agriculture Nikki Fried (D-FL), US Rep. Charlie Crist (D-FL), and State Senator Annette Taddeo (D-40) have all filed to run for governor in 2022.
The Friends of Ron DeSantis committee has raised about $70 million for the governor's reelection effort.
Out of the crowded field, Rep. Crist poses the biggest threat to the GOP's stronghold on the governorship, raising approximately $2,500,658 since May 3rd of 2021. Rep. Crist's money haul does surpass Governor DeSantis's $2,283,601 raised by his campaign. However, this is only of the governor's filings from November 5th of 2021 which almost equals Crist who started 6 months before.
Nikki Fried, who tends to be perceived as the Democratic Party's most progressive candidate, comes in second with roughly $1.2 million since June 1st. Senator Taddeo came in third raking in about $293,000.
Across the nation, the GOP is expected to outperform Democrats with only razor-thin majorities separating the two in the House and Senate. US Senator Rick Scott (R-FL), who heads up the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), is predicting a red wave in the 2022 midterms.
While taking in millions of dollars in donations, the rhetoric surrounding the campaign has already mounted to the highest levels of mudslinging. Just this week Fried compared the governor to the infamous Dictator, Adolf Hitler. Crist even went as far to accuse DeSantis of "aiding and abetting," the January 6th rioters.
Florida is looking to be the focal point of the midterm elections nationally. For the first time ever, registered Republicans outnumber registered Democrats in the state. With tense races such as the gubernatorial, senate and multiple house races, a purple Florida looks less and less likely.
