There’s a clear shift to both extremes in American politics, especially in the current political climate.
That shift has some moderates wondering what happened to the center.
There are more than 3.4 million voters in Florida who don’t belong to any party. But when it comes to races such as the gubernatorial race, some are feeling stuck in the middle. Others describe it as being “politically homeless."
U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis is endorsed by President Trump, and Mayor Andrew Gillum has the support of Sen. Bernie Sanders.
“There’s not really much middle ground here,” said voter Rebecca Bellino.
On the night of the primary elections, a Facebook post caught the eye of Action News Jax. The person who wrote the post gave us permission to use it but declined to be identified. It said, in part, "I have never felt more politically homeless than I do right now. Either way, our beloved Florida will be fine.”
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“This is something we’ve been seeing nationwide,” said Flagler College political science associate professor Art Vanden Houten. “For the last 40 or 50 years, the divisions are pretty strong and pretty stark, and moderates are often left looking for a home, a place where they can, you know, identify strongly, and they’re left, ultimately, having to make choices that, to many of them we know, prove to be pretty dissatisfying.”
Vanden Houten said that, despite the move toward both extremes, those in the middle are still a powerful force. He said candidates will face a balancing act in the fall.
“This becomes the trick: Can you, in fact, appeal to your base in such a way where you don't turn off moderates?” said Vanden Houten.
Samantha Mason said she can relate to feeling “politically homeless."
“I have more conservative economic things but then I don’t agree with everything on that side and I don’t agree with everything on the Democratic side either,” said Mason.
Mason said she’s not letting that stop her from going to the polls.
“I just have to do more research on my candidates and make sure they’re supporting what’s most important to me,” said Mason.
Conservative John Tarantowicz said moderates could be key.
“It’s so polarizing on both ends and the only hope for either party is the moderates. So you’re going to have to appeal to the moderates,” said Tarantowicz.
The increasing polarization could potentially make way for the Reform Party candidate for governor, Jacksonville’s own Darcy Richardson.
Although some believe that if Richardson’s campaign gets traction, he could take votes away from the Democratic ticket.
Regardless of what side you choose, Tarantowicz said you can’t afford to just sit this one out.
“I vote all the time. Too many guys died for it, and women,” he said.
Cox Media Group
