Jill Biden to visit Tampa for campaign speech Monday
Jill Biden will make a run through Florida to help boost vaccine rates.

Jill Biden
The Sunshine State stop comes at a pivotal time for President Joe Biden.

First Lady Jill Biden is coming to Tampa on Monday for a speech supporting her husband’s re-election effort.

President Joe Biden’s campaign offered little detail about the visit in an advisory sent to media outlets Saturday. The First Lady will “deliver remarks at a campaign event,” the press note said, adding that “more details” would be provided to members of the press who RSVP by 3 p.m. Sunday.

Jill Biden’s stop in the Sunshine State comes at a pivotal time for the President, whose poor debate performance late last month left many questioning whether he should stay in the race or step aside and allow a younger substitute to compete against Donald Trump.

For her part, the First Lady has remained steadfast in advocating for her husband to remain the Democratic nominee.

The Monday campaign stop also follows irresolute messaging in recent months from the Biden campaign about how it views Florida in the coming election.

In April, Julie Chavez Rodriguez, Biden’s Campaign Manager, said in April that winning Florida this year was a longshot, the campaign believed that “Trump does not have it in the bag.” A memo the campaign issued that month detailed how hot-button issues like Florida’s six-week abortion ban, rising costs of living and censorship in schools would help drive progressives to the polls.

But in June, Biden’s Campaign Chair, Jen O’Malley Dillon, offered a conflicting take. Asked whether Florida is a battleground state this year, she replied simply, “No.” That blunt comment was an “unnecessary, demoralizing gut punch” for Democratic staffers, consultants and organizers, Florida-based communications consultant Kevin Cate said on X.

As reporting and consternation about Dillon’s comment spread, the Democratic Party leaped into damage control. Florida Democrats Chair Nikki Fried implored voters, “Don’t count Florida out.”

“We’re not naïve about the challenges ahead,” she said in a statement, “but we’re building the foundation of Democratic success, not just for this cycle, but for the years and decades to come.”

By the numbers, Democrats in Florida face a tough path ahead this year. As of May 31, there were nearly 931,000 more registered Republicans than Democrats in the state — up 24,000 from the month before and 151,000 from the year prior.

Biden also trails Trump in polls at the national and state levels. Some county-level surveys among residents of Florida’s more historically Democrat-leaning areas reveal vulnerabilities for Biden.

That’s not to say Trump isn’t without weaknesses. A recent survey of under-30 voters in a dozen key election states, including Florida, found that three-quarters of Democrats, Republicans and independents believe Trump’s felony convictions should prohibit him from returning to the White House.

Jesse Scheckner

Jesse Scheckner has covered South Florida with a focus on Miami-Dade County since 2012. His work has been recognized by the Hearst Foundation, Society of Professional Journalists, Florida Society of News Editors, Florida MMA Awards and Miami New Times. Email him at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @JesseScheckner.


8 comments

  • Paul Passarelli

    July 7, 2024 at 11:38 am

    the article states: “For her part, the First Lady has remained steadfast in advocating for her husband to remain the Democratic nominee.”

    I submit that Dr. Jill is finally getting even for being “sniffed” by Creepy Joe when she was the babysitter. After all, *revenge* is a dish best served cold.

    As a student of literature, I can relate, but I’m dismayed that she’s also destroying the country in the process. Prove me wrong.

    • Impeach Biden

      July 7, 2024 at 11:43 am

      I would never address her as Dr.

      • Charlene

        July 7, 2024 at 1:04 pm

        I have made $200 reliably in one day.That was my ideal day in my life and my boss was to a great degree content with me..CNN is additionally awed from my work and is outstandingly happy..check also unpretentious parts by open the affiliation and tap on HOME TECH OR MEDIA………

        Begin here>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Payathome9.Com

      • Paul Passarelli

        July 7, 2024 at 5:08 pm

        Neither would I.

        You missed my point. Sleepy Joe got himself lined up for a government job at his earliest opportunity. He’s spend his life wallowing in mediocrity and failure.

        With Jill’s help he was ‘encouraged’ to seek the office of POTUS, and the Democrat Party was successful in installing him.

        His final act is going to be deposed in the biggest landslide since Reagan, he’s already humiliated. Getting him to push on way way way after he’s all used up and effectively worthless, will be the ultimate failure anyone can lay on the shoulders of another.

        The Biden family name is literally worth less than old shit. And for good reasons.

  • Hologram Joe

    July 7, 2024 at 12:49 pm

    Pelosi with a blond wig. Drunk on power

  • Michael K

    July 7, 2024 at 1:22 pm

    Ms Pushaw is really having conversations with herself today. We should call her Cybil. Charlene is a new one.

    • My Take

      July 7, 2024 at 4:42 pm

      Multiple personality syndrome ?
      Or just shabby shilling?

      • Impeach Biden

        July 7, 2024 at 6:43 pm

        No sense of humor from the zombie squad. Okay. Try a comedy club sometime. If you can laugh at yourself you will have a good time

Comments are closed.


#FlaPol

Florida Politics is a statewide, new media platform covering campaigns, elections, government, policy, and lobbying in Florida. This platform and all of its content are owned by Extensive Enterprises Media.

Publisher: Peter Schorsch @PeterSchorschFL

Contributors & reporters: Phil Ammann, Drew Dixon, Roseanne Dunkelberger, A.G. Gancarski, Anne Geggis, Ryan Nicol, Jacob Ogles, Cole Pepper, Gray Rohrer, Jesse Scheckner, Christine Sexton, Drew Wilson, and Mike Wright.

Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @PeterSchorschFL
Phone: (727) 642-3162
Address: 204 37th Avenue North #182
St. Petersburg, Florida 33704