Fight For Florida: The Biggest Prize Of The Battle Ground States
Follow CBSMIAMI.COM: Facebook | Twitter
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – With 29 electoral votes, Florida is the biggest prize of the battle ground states. But the difference between winning and losing here is often very small.
"In 2012, Obama just won Florida over Romney by 0.9 percent. This is a fiercely fought for state," said Susan MacManus, a political science professor at the University of South Florida.
There are currently roughly 4.4 million registered Republicans and close to 4.6 million Democrats. But the Florida voters both campaigns want are the nearly three million independents.
Data shows they're young – part of the influx of new residents drawn here to work rather than retire.
"If you take the youngest generation, the millennials, which are the 18 to 34 year olds, plus the Gen Xers which are the generation right ahead of them, they make up around 47 percent of Florida's registered voters," MacManus said.
These swing voters include Hispanics – not traditional right-leaning Cuban-Americans but Puerto Ricans with different politics. Their numbers are growing fast.
Republican organizers say they have been paying close attention to these new arrivals.
"The Republican party we're focused on the economy and really how we can help them really achieve that American dream that most Puerto Ricans are looking for," said Sofia Boza, the Deputy Hispanic Media Press Secretary for the RNC.
Hillary Clinton's campaign also is making a big push for Hispanic voters here – relying on Hispanic volunteers and selecting a running mate, Tim Kaine, who is fluent in Spanish.
Since early June, more money has been spent on TV ads in Florida than in any other state. With Clinton forces outspending Donald Trump and his allies 12-to-1. That's $20 million versus $1.6 million.
The Clinton campaign is also going after republican voters.
"We have a lot of Republicans particularly in South Florida who are not happy with their nominee who we're having conversation with," said Hillary Clinton for America Senior Advisor Scott Arceneaux.
For more on Campaign 2016, click here.
