Democrats Aim to Regain Latino Voters in South Florida

Party sees opportunity to win back Cuban and Venezuelan American voters in key region.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 11:43am

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Democrats are hoping to make inroads with Latino voters in southern Florida, a region that has trended Republican in recent elections. The party believes it can win back support from Cuban and Venezuelan American voters who have increasingly aligned with the GOP in recent years.

Why it matters

South Florida is a crucial battleground in statewide and national elections, and the Latino vote there could be a deciding factor. Democrats are eager to reverse their losses with this key demographic and regain their footing in a region that has become more conservative.

The details

Republicans have made significant gains with Cuban and Venezuelan American voters in southern Florida, who have been drawn to the party's hardline stance on issues like socialism and U.S. relations with Cuba and Venezuela. Democrats believe they can win back some of these voters by focusing on economic and quality-of-life issues that may resonate more broadly with the Latino community.

  • The 2026 midterm elections will be a key test for Democrats' efforts to reconnect with Latino voters in southern Florida.
  • In the 2024 presidential election, the Latino vote in Florida was a major factor in the Republican victory in the state.

The players

Democratic Party

The center-left political party in the United States, currently the minority party in Congress but seeking to regain control of the federal government.

Cuban American voters

A key demographic in southern Florida, many of whom have historically supported Republican candidates due to the party's hardline stance on Cuba.

Venezuelan American voters

Another important Latino voting bloc in southern Florida, who have also trended Republican in recent elections due to the party's opposition to the socialist government in Venezuela.

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What they’re saying

“We know we have work to do to reconnect with Latino voters in this region, but we believe our message on economic issues and quality of life will resonate.”

— Representative Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, Florida Democratic Party Chair

“The Republican Party has done a better job of speaking to the concerns of Cuban and Venezuelan Americans in recent years, and we're not going to cede that ground easily.”

— Mario Diaz-Balart, Republican Congressman from Florida's 25th district

What’s next

Democrats will be closely watching the results of the 2026 midterm elections in Florida to gauge the success of their outreach efforts to Latino voters in southern parts of the state.

The takeaway

The battle for the Latino vote in southern Florida remains a key strategic priority for both political parties, as the region's demographics and voting patterns continue to evolve. The outcome could have significant implications for statewide and national elections.