HOLLYWOOD— After suffering catastrophic statewide losses to Republicans over the past several election cycles, the Florida Democratic Party appears to have found its political mojo and believes that they are in a position to regain past political prowess that it lost. Florida Democrats are back, but can they deliver victories?
During their annual Leadership Blue Gala, which was held at the Hardrock Hotel and Casino (the same place Florida Republicans held their annual ”Victory Dinner” fundraising event last September), Florida Democrats led by Chairwoman Nikki Fried, Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Kentucky Gov. Beshear, and U.S. Senator Cory Booker, all expressed hope and confidence in the new “game plan” that will be used to put the embattled Democratic Party back on track to winning elections.
Unlike prior Democratic Party events, the gala had an aura of confidence, and Democrats appeared genuinely confident that better days were ahead.
Rep. Wasserman Schultz, arguably the Florida Democrats’ loudest advocate, kicked off the festivities.
In true form, Rep. Wasserman Schultz fired up the Democratic Party faithful, unleashing a barrage of attacks against President Donald Trump and the “DOGE-bags” in his administration.
“Are you ready to get off the God-damn sidelines?” questioned Wasserman Schultz.
During the recent congressional special elections in Florida, where Reps. Randy Fine and Jimmy Patronis were elected to the House of Representatives, Democrats pointed to the gains the appeared to make in very Republican districts, or as Wasserman Schultz called them, “Ruby-red seats.”
“We flipped red states by double digits. Let’s not forget the chills we sent up MAGA spines by overperforming in our own two ruby red seats this year,” said Wasserman Schultz.
Rep. Jared Moskowitz, a popular centrist Democrat, highlighted the need for Democrats to hold “MAGA accountable,” but also emphasized that, “The most important thing for House Democrats is to make Hakeem Jeffries Speaker of the House.”
“We must flip the house blue…our failure not to flip it in 24’ has been catastrophic,” added Rep. Moskowitz before teeing off on the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
“Name one thing that they have made more efficient. DOGE is dead; it's been a complete and utter failure. I know a disaster when I see one,” added Moskowitz.
Chairwoman Fried delivered a not-so-subtle threat against Republican lawmakers and candidates for elected office who push President Trump’s America First agenda.
“If you put Trump before your constituents, we are coming for you in November 2026. We know we are the underdogs. We are going up against a 30-year corrupt Republican machine,” said Fried.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear compared Democrats to Republicans on governing, accusing Republicans of lacking governing skills
“We do something the Republican Party has shown it can’t, we govern well. They are not governing well. We will win over voters who are skeptical of the Democratic brand,” said Gov. Beshear.
But aside from the pro-Democratic hyperbole that was expressed, Florida Democrats backed up their big talk by unveiling their grassroots “game plan” for 2026.
Shortly before the gala began, The Floridian spoke to Chairwoman Fried and asked her how Democrats were going to counter the 1 million+ Republican voter registration advantage they face.
Fried unveiled he political party's “Pendulum” grassroots campaign.
“It’s very simple, it's organizing. It's organizing year round, in every part of our state and doing it now,” said Fried. “We have to make sure that we're getting back on the doors, we're making the phone calls, we're getting into our communities, and so we are launching this tonight, a program called Pendulum.”
During midterm elections, the political party in control tends to concede seats, but in Florida, Republicans have actually won.
During the 2022 midterm elections, Both Gov. Ron DeSantis and then-Senator Marco Rubio won their respective states, and Republicans picked up 4 congressional seats.
