Monday, December 9, 2024

Republican Candidates Get Ready To Take On The Florida Primaries

 

Republican presidential candidate Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas speaks during the Values Voter Summit, held by the Family Research Council Action, Friday, Sept. 25, 2015, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Trump, Rubio and Cruz are heavily campaigning in Florida as they go up against each other in tomorrow’s primary election. Due to the popularity of early-voting in Florida, last minute campaigning does not have the greatest amount of impact, so starting early is key. About a million republicans have already casted ballots in the state with about 42 percent being new voters who did not participate in the 2012 elections.

Trump has been campaigning heavily in Florida and holding events in his many properties around the state. According to Donald Trump’s co-chair, Joe Gruters, “No other campaign’s been on the ground [in Florida] because they’ve been focused on other states, and they haven’t been able to have the resources here, but since October Donald Trump’s been moving forward.”

Trump’s deep rooted history of investments in Florida gives him popularity and puts a lot of pressure on Rubio to prove his place in his home state. Rubio has had support from local news outlets and many of the GOP elite even though he did not start opening offices in Florida until early this month.

A spokesman for Rubio’s campaign, Alex Burgos, said “This is Marco’s hometown base, this is Marco’s geographic base. We want to make sure there is strong turnout throughout Florida, but especially among the people who know him best in South Florida.” Southern Florida is known for its prevalent population of Cuban-American republicans, a large target group for Rubio.

As for Ted Cruz, while he is not projected to win Florida, he hold steadfast to view that he is the best candidate to beat Trump and stands as another roadblock for Rubio. Cruz’s campaign has stated that it has ten Florida offices operating. Campaign events were held by all three candidates on Friday as they await the tomorrow’s primary.

NPR