Florida, once considered a swing state, is firmly Republican – a social anthropologist explains what caused this shift

Florida has attracted new residents since the pandemic, as well as a growth in conservative politics. iStock / Getty Images Plus

Florida has undergone a dramatic political transformation over the past decade from a swing state to Republican stronghold.

Florida’s recent congressional special election on April 1, 2025, showcased the state’s increasingly conservative identity, when Republicans won both congressional seats.