In Pensacola, Florida, Derrick Scott and his fellow Democrats have been working frantically to achieve what seemed nearly impossible: transforming a conservative military bastion into a Democratic stronghold. This region, dominated by former President Donald Trump in the last election by a significant margin, came close to a shift as Democrat Gay Valimont contested for a congressional seat. While she didn’t secure a victory, her performance was noteworthy. For the first time in nearly thirty years, a Democrat vying for a federal seat in Escambia County, home to Pensacola, managed to garner remarkable support.
“To say I was surprised is an understatement,” expressed Scott, head of the Escambia County Democratic Party. This development around Pensacola, combined with tighter election margins in Florida’s Atlantic Coast districts, might indicate looming challenges for Republican candidates in the upcoming midterms, while simultaneously revealing new opportunities for Democrats.
Republicans, however, including Trump-endorsed figures, have cautioned Democrats against overconfidence. Candidates like Jimmy Patronis and Randy Fine emerged victorious with comfortable margins in special elections, which grew the Republican majority in the House to a 220-213 seat advantage. Despite the successes, the margins achieved were noticeably slimmer than those in previous elections, hinting at potential dissatisfaction among veterans and federal program beneficiaries who may be affected by aggressive government policies.
Choosing a recognized candidate who capitalized on past political endeavors helped Valimont and her party in the heavily militarized and veteran-populated Emerald Coast. Democrats benefited from significant financial backing, partly thanks to a political action committee led by a Navy veteran. “This is a wake-up call for Republicans, in Florida and nationwide,” remarked Nikki Fried, chair of the Florida Democratic Party. She emphasized the importance of issues affecting military families and the elderly as a growing concern among voters.
The Ehr Force PAC, crafted by Phil Ehr, a well-regarded figure in Pensacola politics, played a crucial role in mobilizing voters, particularly those who may have become disenchanted with Republican policies. “We’ve now seen that it is achievable,” noted Ehr, reflecting on the notable shift in voter allegiances.
Heather Lindsay, the Republican mayor of Milton in Santa Rosa County, publicly supported Valimont, citing the importance of a functioning democracy over party loyalty. Lindsay has critiqued the impact of policy changes under the previous administration, urging fellow Republicans not to discount the sentiments of Escambia County voters, many of whom receive federal benefits.
Historically, since Republicans seized control of the local seat in 1994, they have consistently captured over 61% of the vote. Yet, in this recent election, Patronis secured just 57%, with Valimont trailing closely behind. Sally Dutcher, a retired worker from Pensacola, attended Patronis’ watch party, where an air of unease filled the room amid early return updates. She believes these results may empower Democrats leading up to the midterms.
Elsewhere in Florida, Democrats made significant gains in Volusia County, which includes Daytona Beach and rural environs. While Randy Fine managed a narrow victory of less than 2 percentage points, a stark contrast to Trump’s earlier 21-point win, residents like William Bittorf expressed relief over Fine’s win, emphasizing the need for congressional support of the Republican agenda.
Conversely, Susan Spencer, an independent now leaning Democrat, cast her ballot with the hope of countering some Republican policies. “It’s a defining moment in our government,” she asserted, pointing out that most voters around her appeared likely to lean Republican. Spencer wondered if they shared her concerns or watched the same news.