Speaking at the Citizenship and Constitutional Government conference at the University of Notre Dame on Friday, Governor Ron DeSantis took aim at Florida Democrats, humorously criticizing their recent logo change.
The party rebranded the endangered Florida panther as its new symbol in May of this year, a move that DeSantis suggested was a fitting metaphor for their current state.
“On Election night, nobody was worrying about how Florida was going to turn out,” DeSantis quipped, referencing the Republican stronghold in recent elections. “In fact, the Florida Democratic Party recently changed its mascot to a very beautiful Florida panther. The only problem is, it’s an endangered species — but it’s telling because that’s exactly what they’ve become in the Sunshine State.”
In a sweeping victory in Florida’s 2024 presidential election, Republican candidate Donald Trump garnered approximately 6.1 million votes, carrying 61 of the state’s 67 counties.
READ: ‘The View’ Panel Explodes Into Shouting Match Debating Why Americans Voted For Trump
According to unofficial results from the Florida Division of Elections, Trump captured 56.11% of the vote, while Democratic opponent Kamala Harris received 42.97%.
Trump’s dominance spanned across the state, with Harris managing to secure wins only in traditionally Democratic-leaning counties, including Alachua, Broward, Gadsden, Leon, Orange, and Palm Beach.
Even in Palm Beach County, a stronghold for Democrats, Harris’s margin over Trump was narrow—winning by just 5,511 votes out of a total of 738,553 cast.
The substantial win for Trump in Florida reflects a strong Republican presence in the state, which has been trending red in recent election cycles. Trump’s campaign centered on economic growth, border security, and national security, resonating with many Floridians who backed him in 2016 and 2020.
READ :Trump Defeats VP Harris In Historic Comeback Victory Amid Unprecedented Election Season
Florida, with its 30 electoral votes, has become an essential component of any path to the presidency. Trump’s consistent support in suburban and rural areas, coupled with strong backing from the Cuban-American and Venezuelan-American communities in Miami-Dade, played a significant role in his statewide success.
Additionally, Harris’s margin in densely populated urban areas like Broward and Orange counties was not enough to overcome Trump’s widespread support in other regions.
READ: CNN Host, Harry Enten Marvel At Trump’s ‘Surprising’ And ‘Impressive’ Gains With Key Voting Blocs
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