Blue wave or blip? Democrats see promise in twin Florida upsets, GOP sees a fluke

Florida Democrats see promise in twin upsets while GOP sees a fluke

PEMBROKE PARK, Fla. — Florida Democrats pulled off a pair of upset wins Tuesday night, including one in President Donald Trump’s home district.

Now both parties are arguing over whether this was a fluke or a warning sign.

For Florida Democrats, it was more than a good night, it was a jolt, flipping two of three Republican-held seats in special elections.

They are Senate District 14 in Hillsborough County and House District 87 in Palm Beach County, where Trump’s home of Mar-a-Lago is.

“My theory of the case was always that my neighbors wanted the same things that I do, a fairer, kinder Florida that works for all of us,” said Gregory.

Gregory said voters were not looking for more political noise. They wanted help with the cost of living, housing, health care, and schools.

“This is how you build back the party apparatus,” said Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried.

Florida Democrats now have some much-needed momentum heading into the November midterms.

Fried said she’s hopeful it will translate into national investment and ultimately better infrastructure.

“It’s the only way to win Florida,” she said. “It’s not on the TVs, it is on the ground. Having those heart-to-heart conversations, regaining the trust of the voters here in our state.”

Republicans, meanwhile, are now playing the blame game on social media.

Some are saying it was inaction by the governor after creating the vacancies while others are knocking state party chair Evan Power, who was trying to tamp things down with a statement Wednesday, which read:

“We have seen this before; special elections are just that: special. It is not indicative of what can be expected in a general election.”

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Nicole Perez

Nicole Perez

Nicole Perez is the the primary co-anchor of Local 10 News at 4 p.m., 5 p.m., 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. She first joined Local 10 in July 2016 as the morning traffic reporter.