Florida Democrats went into the 2024 election season focused on reducing the Republicans’ supermajority in the state Legislature. With Republicans holding significant control in both the House and Senate, Democratic candidates fought to gain enough seats to create a more balanced legislative environment.
Tuesday’s results revealed a challenging reality for the party, as Republicans maintained their hold over both chambers, limiting Democrats’ legislative influence in 2025 and beyond.
The Florida Democratic Party approached the election with determination, launching various efforts to boost voter engagement and encourage Floridians to vote blue across the board.
The Take Back Florida Coordinated Campaign, launched in April under the direction of political strategist Lisa Path, focused on rebuilding the party’s influence statewide by engaging local communities and motivating them to challenge years of Republican control in Florida.
“As a lifelong Floridian, I’ve felt firsthand the effects of 30 years of Republican leadership in Tallahassee — but the incredible work being done by Democrats across Florida in the face of those challenges has always given me hope,” Path said in an April news release, expressing optimism about the party’s renewed focus.
Despite this optimism, Democrats were unable to make substantial gains. They needed to flip at least five House seats but failed to do so, leaving Republicans holding 20 of the 28 seats. In the Florida Senate, the GOP held a 28-12 advantage before the election and succeeded in keeping their stronghold.
In statewide races, Republican United States Senator Rick Scott won re-election by a landslide, and the controversial amendments regarding abortion rights and marijuana failed after Governor Ron DeSantis opposed them. Also, Trump won Florida by a margin of 13%, a significant lead over Vice President Harris.
Among those in the spotlight was Daryl Parks, a well-known Tallahassee attorney and the Democratic candidate for Florida’s Senate District 3. While campaigning on the south side Tuesday afternoon, he expressed concerns about the consequences of a one-sided Legislature.
“We want to see that the government has the proper checks and balances. And so when one group has total power it’s never good,” he said. Despite strong support from the Tallahassee community, Parks was unable to secure a victory against his opponent, Corey Simon.
At polling locations throughout Tallahassee, voters expressed varying perspectives on the state’s political future. Many voiced frustrations over a perceived lack of representation within the Legislature.
“If we get people coming together, working for the good of Florida, working for the United States of America and working for the good of the city of Tallahassee, great things can happen. But we must work together,” long-term Tallahassee resident and voter Connie Jenkins-Pye said. expressing the concerns of many who feel a Republican-controlled supermajority has sidelined local needs in favor of broader partisan goals.
Democrats faced significant setbacks in this election cycle. With Republicans maintaining their dominance, Florida’s political landscape remains firmly in their control heading into the next legislative session.