ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Polls are tightening between the two presidential candidates, including here in Florida.
But, as enthusiasm among Democrats surges for Kamala Harris, local party chairs have different attitudes on the state of the race and if they think Florida is in play. They do agree on this: Vice President Kamala Harris’s rise in the polls, including in Florida, is real.
“Florida is definitely in play,” Pinellas County Democratic Committee Chair Jennifer Griffith said. “The mood is lifted, the enthusiasm is up.”
“We're not too worried,” said Hillsborough County Republican Party Chair Tom Gaitens, adding that Harris still hasn’t held a formal press availability since the announcement President Biden was stepping aside. “No tough questioning. She's had this coronation for 29 days. She's going to get another week of it because of the convention.”
Gaitens admits Florida is currently a margin-of-error race, Florida Atlantic University's latest poll has former President Trump leading by three points. But, he says Democratic visions of victory are a mirage.
“From our standpoint, we want them to think that it's narrowing here in Florida,” he said. “Every dime they spend here is a dime they can't spend in Pennsylvania or some of the other more competitive states.”
Republicans recently increased their voter registration margin over Democrats to more than a million voters in Florida, 5.32 million to 4.32 million voters, respectively, with more than 3 million registered without party affiliation.
It's a red wall Democrats say will be tested with near-unprecedented gains in volunteers and donations since Harris took over the ticket.
“I definitely think the Republicans should be concerned,” Griffith said. “The sea is changing. The tides are shifting.”
Now the question is: will this high tide for Harris last through the fall?
“I’m not saying the surge is going to continue,” J. Edwin Benton, USF political science professor said. “But if it does, I think she's in reach of winning Florida.”
Key to Republican efforts will be if Trump's campaign can stay on the issues.
“Focus on inflation, illegal immigration, and Israel,” Gaitens said. “I think those are the three key issues to focus on and not focus on the personal politics.”
Adding another layer of intrigue are the two amendments on the ballot on abortion and marijuana access. Gaitens concedes it will narrow the race even more, but doesn't believe it makes the race winnable for Democrats.
Griffith thinks the amendments will drive more Democratic voters to the polls.
“Those amendments are going to help the ticket, help all of the ticket, all of our candidates, and help turnout as well,” she said. “Because there are many people who feel strongly about the right for reproductive freedom.”