The Sunshine State, Florida, is undeniably a formidable force in the presidential elections, holding a whopping 30 electoral votes. As we gear up for the unofficial race between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump, the focus is now on their strategies to protect Social Security. This program is crucial to millions of Floridians who greatly rely on it for their day to day lives.
The Importance of Social Security in Florida
Promises on the campaign trail are one thing, but in order to win over Florida voters, candidates must demonstrate their commitment to fight for Social Security. Florida is home to the second highest population of people 50 and over in the country, second only to California. A significant portion of these people depend on or plan to depend on the Social Security benefits they’ve worked their entire lives to earn. To give you a figure, as of December 2022, over 4.9 million Floridians were receiving Social Security benefits.
It’s essential to understand that Social Security is a separate, taxpayer-funded program. It does not rely on general funds but has its own revenue stream. Any candidate hoping to secure a victory in November must promise to safeguard this program, which is indispensable not only to Floridians but to people across America.
Impact on the Election
Protecting Social Security is not only the right policy, but it’s also a strategic political move. Poll data consistently shows that Americans 65 and up are among the most likely voters, forming the largest demographic in the 2020 election. This is a crucial group that all candidates must win over if they hope to become the next commander-in-chief.
Candidates’ Stance on Social Security
In order to win the favor of Florida voters, presidential hopefuls must champion Social Security – a program that so many people in the state rely on. Former President Donald Trump, who is also a Florida resident, has historically promised not to cut Social Security if reelected. Despite a recent comment suggesting otherwise, he quickly reiterated his commitment to protect Social Security and Medicare. On the other hand, President Biden also expressed strong opinions about protecting Social Security in his State of the Union address. It’s safe to say that Floridians will be watching both candidates closely to ensure they stay on the right side of this issue.
As the general election approaches, any candidate who wants to make an impact in Florida must be unequivocal in their defense of Social Security. If they show any wavering in their stance as a staunch advocate of the program, they risk losing their ability to carry Florida on Election Day.
