| | Florida is a swing state in presidential elections. The South Florida region ([[Miami]], [[Fort Lauderdale]], and [[Palm Beach]], along with the [[Florida Keys]]) along with the [[Tallahassee]] capital area, are heavily Democratic and the urban areas of [[Tampa]] and [[Orlando]] lean Democratic, while the northern parts of the state (especially the panhandle, due to the presence of significant military bases, but excluding the Tallahassee area), rural areas of central Florida, and the southwestern portion of the state ([[Naples]], [[Fort Myers, Florida|Fort Myers]], [[Punta Gorda, Florida|Punta Gorda]], and [[Sarasota, Florida|Sarasota]]) are heavily Republican. The swing state phenomenon was most pronounced during the 2000 presidential election when the margin of victory for eventual winner George W. Bush was a mere 537 votes (triggering a mandatory recount under Florida state law, an ensuing number of lawsuits and judicial rulings, and never-ending speculation as to the real winner). | | Florida is a swing state in presidential elections. The South Florida region ([[Miami]], [[Fort Lauderdale]], and [[Palm Beach]], along with the [[Florida Keys]]) along with the [[Tallahassee]] capital area, are heavily Democratic and the urban areas of [[Tampa]] and [[Orlando]] lean Democratic, while the northern parts of the state (especially the panhandle, due to the presence of significant military bases, but excluding the Tallahassee area), rural areas of central Florida, and the southwestern portion of the state ([[Naples]], [[Fort Myers, Florida|Fort Myers]], [[Punta Gorda, Florida|Punta Gorda]], and [[Sarasota, Florida|Sarasota]]) are heavily Republican. The swing state phenomenon was most pronounced during the 2000 presidential election when the margin of victory for eventual winner George W. Bush was a mere 537 votes (triggering a mandatory recount under Florida state law, an ensuing number of lawsuits and judicial rulings, and never-ending speculation as to the real winner). |
| − | Historically, Florida was a Democratic Party stronghold. This was the case until the 1960s and was especially the case in the early 20th Century. Due to the Dominance of the Democrats, the Democrat primaries were considered "the real election" during this time. In the party however, there were competing factions, and during the New Deal, a conservative-liberal divide within the Democratic Party emerged. As the Democratic Party became more liberal, and as different changes occurred in the state, conservative voters switched to the growing, more conservative Republican Party. Florida was originally part of the Solid South, as Democrats overwhelmingly won state and federal elections during the hundred years following the [[American Civil War|Civil War]]. | + | Historically, Florida was a Democratic Party stronghold. This was the case until the 1960s and was especially the case in the early 20th Century. Due to the Dominance of the Democrats, the Democrat primaries were considered "the real election" during this time. In the Party, however, there were competing factions, and during the New Deal, a conservative-liberal divide within the Democratic Party emerged. As the Democratic Party became more liberal, and as different changes occurred in the state, conservative voters switched to the growing, more conservative Republican Party. Florida was originally part of the Solid South, as Democrats overwhelmingly won state and federal elections during the hundred years following the [[American Civil War|Civil War]]. |