Democratic campaigners have drastically cut spending in Florida, a state long considered pivotal in national elections, as polls show former President Donald Trump leading Vice President Kamala Harris by a significant margin.

Democrats have significantly reduced their financial investment in Florida, with current ad spending falling well below previous election efforts marking a shift from past election cycles when Florida was a battleground for both parties, as Breitbart reports.

In the 2020 election, the Biden campaign spent $38 million on TV ads in the state, nearly double Trump’s $19 million investment.

However, in the 2024 cycle, Democrats have spent a mere $2.1 million on television advertisements in the state, raising concerns about their competitiveness.

Democrats’ Reduced Spending Reflects New Strategy

In recent midterm elections, national Democratic organizations also showed reduced interest in Florida, spending just $2 million in 2022. This was a stark contrast to the nearly $60 million spent in the previous midterm cycle. Analysts at AdImpact have attributed this decline in spending to the perceived lack of competitiveness in statewide races, with ratings from Cook Political Report supporting this conclusion.

NBC political analyst Matt Dixon highlighted this as the first time in modern political memory that Democrats have treated Florida as a "comparative afterthought." The state's importance as a swing state seems to have diminished, raising questions about the Democrats' national strategy.

Florida Democrats Push Back on Narrative of Inactivity

Despite these shifts, Florida Democratic Party communications director Eden Giagnorio argued that the state remains competitive and that grassroots efforts are gaining momentum. "Now imagine what we could achieve with real investment," Giagnorio stated, expressing hope for more financial backing in the lead-up to the 2024 election.

However, some in the party remain skeptical. A recent memo from the Florida Democratic Party acknowledged the concerns but emphasized the organizing efforts on the ground. It noted that the party’s apparatus had already scored a key victory by defeating Ron DeSantis-endorsed school board candidates in the August 20 primary, portraying the state's political landscape as more dynamic than national spending trends might suggest.

Polls Show Trump Leading Harris in Florida

Polling data from multiple sources indicates that Trump holds a clear advantage over Harris in Florida. A McLaughlin & Associates poll conducted in early August among 800 voters showed Trump leading Harris by eight percentage points. Similarly, a USA TODAY/Suffolk University/WSVN-TV poll of 500 likely voters found Trump ahead by five points, with a 47% to 42% margin.

These numbers align with the broader narrative of Florida leaning Republican in recent elections. Trump adviser Danielle Alvarez dismissed any concerns about the state's competitiveness, describing Florida as "Trump Country."

Harris Campaign Adopts Different Tactic in Florida

Vice President Kamala Harris has not visited Florida since officially becoming the Democratic presidential nominee in July. Instead, her husband, Doug Emhoff, is scheduled to visit the state on a tour of key battlegrounds, signaling a shift in the Harris campaign's approach to Florida. This has raised questions among some Florida Democrats about the campaign's commitment to winning the state.

Florida Democratic operative Steve Schale offered a sobering assessment of Harris' chances in the Sunshine State. "To the folks who keep asking me if Harris can win here, the answer is complicated," Schale said. He pointed out that Florida may no longer be essential to the Democratic path to victory in 2024, especially without a significant financial investment in the state.

Grassroots Organizing Versus Financial Power

While the Harris campaign has focused on other swing states, Florida Democrats are working to maintain enthusiasm on the ground. Giagnorio and other local party leaders believe that grassroots organizing can make a difference, but without additional financial resources, their ability to sway undecided voters remains limited.

This contrast between local efforts and national priorities has left some Florida Democrats frustrated. The August memo from the Florida Democratic Party criticized the lack of outside financial support but argued that the state remains winnable if Democrats invest more heavily in the final stretch before Election Day.

Political Landscape Shifts as Midterms Set the Stage

Florida's political landscape has shifted significantly over the past several election cycles. While Democrats once viewed the state as essential to winning the presidency, recent trends suggest that national attention may be turning elsewhere. The 2022 midterms offered a preview of this shift, with Democrats spending significantly less on statewide races than in previous years.

The memo from the Florida Democratic Party touted the victory over DeSantis-endorsed candidates as a sign that the state's political dynamics are still in flux. However, the reduced spending from national Democratic organizations indicates a broader strategic decision to allocate resources to other battleground states.

Looking Ahead to November 2024

As the 2024 election approaches, Florida remains a crucial state to watch. Despite the drop in national Democratic spending, grassroots efforts and key races within the state could still shape the outcome. Trump’s clear lead in the polls suggests that Republicans remain dominant in Florida, but the state’s political future is far from certain.

Vice President Harris' absence from the state underscores the challenges facing Democrats in Florida. Without a significant change in strategy or a dramatic increase in financial support, the party may continue to struggle in this once-critical swing state.