Five things to watch in Florida politics in 2026

FLORIDA Florida’s legislative session starting in two weeks could also have sweeping political implications for the rest of the year. Democrats plan to put affordability front and centre in November, as Republicans squabble over how to make property tax reform their answer to the problem

- Claire Heddles, Tribune News Service

After Trump's first year back in office, backlash to his immigration policies and affordability could become the defining issues in Florida politics next year.

As the campaign cycle kicks into high gear in the race to replace Gov. Ron DeSantis and the national battle over control of Congress, the question of how the governor and first lady will exert their influence and what happens with Florida’s redistricting process are the other biggest political unknowns heading into 2026. Florida’s legislative session starting in two weeks could also have sweeping political implications for the rest of the year. Democrats plan to put affordability front and centre in November, as Republicans squabble over how to make property tax reform their answer to the problem. Plus, there's the prospect of another spending war over a marijuana ballot amendment.

Here are five political indicators to watch in 2026:

Immigration backlash: Immigration enforcement has gone from being one of Trump's primary campaign platforms in 2024 to one of the biggest landmines for Republicans heading into 2026, according to former Florida Republican Congressman Carlos Curbelo. “The immigration issue, remarkably, has become toxic for Republicans,” Curbelo told the Herald. “Just a little over a year ago, it was extremely toxic for Democrats, and Republicans have turned that issue over in a year’s time.” Trump has not indicated a planned shift in strategy next year, leaving Florida Republicans to grapple with how to campaign to voters that think the hardline policies have gone too far. Latinas for Trump co-founder Ileana Garcia, a state senator, called Trump's mass deportation agenda “not what we voted for.”