TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Malcolm Kenyatta serves as vice chair for the Democratic National Committee. He’s been in the role for less than a year. However, he has visited Florida several times to help re-energize Florida Democrats.
“I’ve been in no state more than Florida. It’s for a simple reason. I believe in Florida,” Kenyatta said.
Kenyatta is working to help Florida Democrats catch up to state Republicans who have an advantage of 1.4 million GOP registered voters along with all three branches of state government.
“I think the Democratic Party has to do the hard work that we are doing of building strong and resilient infrastructure on the ground,” Kenyatta said.
From July to October, Florida Republicans raised $6.2 million to support voter registration drives and endorsed candidates. Over the same period, state Democrats raised almost $540,000.
“At the DNC, we’ve gone from investing 8% of our budget into investments we make to state parties, particularly states that we have building to do, to now 24%,” Kenyatta said.
Democrats are also working to send a clearer message to voters on what they stand for ahead of the midterms. Kenyatta said it’s three words: make life better.
“What we believe, as Democrats, is that the wealthiest people in the country should pay their fair share and that we should not cut health care,” Kenyatta said.
Florida Republican Chair Evan Power is confident the GOP will keep its strong support in the state.
“What Florida is doing is winning and what we need to do is to continue to lead the way. What we are doing here in Florida should be contagious around the rest of the country,” Power said.
The Republican leader also weighed in about the additional Democratic dollars to help with efforts in Florida.
“The RNC, for the first time, has a massive money lead over the DNC. So, any money that they come and waste in Florida is good for the country,” Power said.
As for Democrats, Kenyatta said the focus will be on attracting candidates for municipal races too.
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