Despite Florida's recent shift towards conservatism, Democrats are optimistic that a ballot initiative aimed at protecting abortion rights could make the state a key battleground in the upcoming presidential election, regaining its status as the largest swing state.
The state Supreme Court's rulings on Monday have reinvigorated supporters of abortion rights.
One ruling allows for a six-week abortion ban, while the other gives voters the chance to repeal the ban alongside the presidential election.
"This puts Florida in play," noted Republican pollster Neil Newhouse
The significance extends beyond the national abortion debate, which has favored Democrats in other states.
Florida voters will be living with the newly imposed strict abortion restrictions leading up to the November election.
Despite the success of abortion rights advocates in other states, Florida has a history of turning potential victories into losses for Democrats. Governor Ron DeSantis won reelection by a wide margin in 2022, even after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.
DeSantis signed new abortion restrictions, a move Democrats warned would further erode abortion rights.
Republican pollster Adam Geller, who worked for Trump's campaign in 2019, pointed out that while the abortion issue has energized voters in some states, Florida leans more Republican.
Geller believes that Biden's need to defend his record over the past four years will overshadow the abortion debate.
Support for abortion rights has shown bipartisan appeal, winning in states that voted for Trump and have Republican-controlled legislatures.
Seven states, including Kansas, Kentucky, and Ohio, have supported abortion rights since Roe v. Wade was overturned.
Democrats have historically been cautious about investing heavily in Florida, but they have ramped up efforts following Monday's rulings.
Biden's campaign has already included Florida in its advertising, targeting Trump on abortion rights.
Despite Trump's role in appointing justices who overturned Roe v. Wade, he has criticized fellow Republicans for being too extreme on abortion, suggesting a nuanced approach to the issue.
Democrats have been striving for relevance in Florida since 1999 when Republicans took control of the state government.
While Democrats have often seen opportunities to regain power, they have been repeatedly disappointed in elections. Republicans have consistently won statewide races, though often by narrow margins.
The state's political landscape has seen numerous shifts, with Democrats believing they were on the brink of victory only to be thwarted at the last moment.
Issues such as education, healthcare, and candidate appeal have failed to deliver the expected outcomes for Democrats in Florida.
Despite these challenges, Democrats remain hopeful that Florida could once again become a battleground state, highlighting the unpredictable nature of politics in the state.