Great article Shannon. Welcome to Florida. We moved here from California back in 2002 when Florida was still a Democratic Blue State. Then gradually all Red Republican New Yorkers and mid westerners moved here and took over. With the GOP gerrymandering and advocating for voter suppression its becoming harder and harder to see the blue light here in Florida. Thanks for moving here because we need every democrat to fight the good fight.
Jacksonville here. JoAnn employee till the end of the week :( (thank you Private Equity) People ask what I'm going to do. Simple: work my other job, spend more time at the gym, and protest.
There are some wonderful blue bubbles in FL. We moved to Gainesville at the height of the pandemic, a decision that was also met with confusion by many! Folks here know we’ve been the test case for lots of Project 2025 efforts and have been fighting for a long while. Equality Florida is particularly effective. You’re a household name, but if I can be useful, let me know!
I, too, am a blue dot on the red map of Florida. Thanks for coming! We need you. Meanwhile, our teeth will be rotting as Gov. DeSatan outlaws fluoride. Let’s get rid of him!
I've been thinking about your move since you first mentioned it, and that's honestly how I feel about staying in the United States at all. If we all bail, we surrender the ship entirely. To that end, my uncle is a political strategist, based in St. Pete where we all grew up. His name is Barry Edwards. He is abrasive, uncouth, and I do not agree with most of his political opinions or philosophies. But he works with politicians on both sides of the aisle and is very well-connected, so he could be useful. It might be worth talking to him. (If not, I'm sorry, lol!)
I commend you, Shannon, for this big move! I've lived in Georgia for most of my life (although I've always lived in metro Atlanta, so it's always been a Blue area), and I've always been frustrated with living in a red State. I've been disgusted with our republican politicians and polices for far too long. All I can offer is find your people. The ones who will stand with you while you're trying to make change so you don't have to do it alone. Best of luck in Florida! If anyone can make change happen in a deeply red state, it's you! 💪🔥
Want advice, Shannon…Work your magic by working with teachers. As a retired educator and administrator, I look back on the freedom I had to makes sure my young students had a running start on civics and history and the arts as well as Reading and Math. I knew the importance of making them aware of their innate resources and tangible ones to help them make goals and plan backwards to come up with a way to accomplish the goal.
People wonder why education is being so attacked. Well, that’s a major goal of autocrats in this country. Erase history. Do not let literature be available. Ban books. Belittle the great foundation that public education is.
Fastest road to purple or blue….empower the people teaching the children. If the children are warriors for democracy….so democracy lives on.
Depends. Florida is many different pockets within the state. I grew up there and I am back for a bit for some family stuff, after 14 years of living in sort of purple Georgia. South Florida and north Florida and central Florida - 3 very different places. The beaches? All different vibes (New Smyrna has been my beach since I was an infant, and remains my go-to).
If we are not far apart, I’d love to help with organizing, activities (the Seminole County Dems are very active), or hire on as your assistant. ☺️ Florida does desperately need more progressive thinkers (who actually act on their hopes for improvement)!
All the angry people moved there during Covid. I survived the great flotillas of 2020. And lasted just over a year. Best of luck! I do hope it goes back purple, it was much redder than I expected.
Welcome to Florida! Hope you find some things to love about it, and I’m sure you’ll find some friends working to change the things you don’t. Delighted you are here!
I have no advice for you. I just know we are lucky to have you.
Florida is better now that you are here!!!
Great article Shannon. Welcome to Florida. We moved here from California back in 2002 when Florida was still a Democratic Blue State. Then gradually all Red Republican New Yorkers and mid westerners moved here and took over. With the GOP gerrymandering and advocating for voter suppression its becoming harder and harder to see the blue light here in Florida. Thanks for moving here because we need every democrat to fight the good fight.
Jacksonville here. JoAnn employee till the end of the week :( (thank you Private Equity) People ask what I'm going to do. Simple: work my other job, spend more time at the gym, and protest.
There are some wonderful blue bubbles in FL. We moved to Gainesville at the height of the pandemic, a decision that was also met with confusion by many! Folks here know we’ve been the test case for lots of Project 2025 efforts and have been fighting for a long while. Equality Florida is particularly effective. You’re a household name, but if I can be useful, let me know!
Yes! you will make a difference Shannon, you always do! I just hope you run for Congress in Florida one day ;-)
I, too, am a blue dot on the red map of Florida. Thanks for coming! We need you. Meanwhile, our teeth will be rotting as Gov. DeSatan outlaws fluoride. Let’s get rid of him!
Born and raised Floridian here, very happy to have you! It’s not easy…but it’s definitely worth it!
I've been thinking about your move since you first mentioned it, and that's honestly how I feel about staying in the United States at all. If we all bail, we surrender the ship entirely. To that end, my uncle is a political strategist, based in St. Pete where we all grew up. His name is Barry Edwards. He is abrasive, uncouth, and I do not agree with most of his political opinions or philosophies. But he works with politicians on both sides of the aisle and is very well-connected, so he could be useful. It might be worth talking to him. (If not, I'm sorry, lol!)
I commend you, Shannon, for this big move! I've lived in Georgia for most of my life (although I've always lived in metro Atlanta, so it's always been a Blue area), and I've always been frustrated with living in a red State. I've been disgusted with our republican politicians and polices for far too long. All I can offer is find your people. The ones who will stand with you while you're trying to make change so you don't have to do it alone. Best of luck in Florida! If anyone can make change happen in a deeply red state, it's you! 💪🔥
Welcome to Florida Shannon!
We’ve been in the blue puddle that is ALACHUA County/Gainesville for 36years.
Find like-minded people. They are there.
Want advice, Shannon…Work your magic by working with teachers. As a retired educator and administrator, I look back on the freedom I had to makes sure my young students had a running start on civics and history and the arts as well as Reading and Math. I knew the importance of making them aware of their innate resources and tangible ones to help them make goals and plan backwards to come up with a way to accomplish the goal.
People wonder why education is being so attacked. Well, that’s a major goal of autocrats in this country. Erase history. Do not let literature be available. Ban books. Belittle the great foundation that public education is.
Fastest road to purple or blue….empower the people teaching the children. If the children are warriors for democracy….so democracy lives on.
Salud, Shannon. And thank you!
🗽💜
Depends. Florida is many different pockets within the state. I grew up there and I am back for a bit for some family stuff, after 14 years of living in sort of purple Georgia. South Florida and north Florida and central Florida - 3 very different places. The beaches? All different vibes (New Smyrna has been my beach since I was an infant, and remains my go-to).
If we are not far apart, I’d love to help with organizing, activities (the Seminole County Dems are very active), or hire on as your assistant. ☺️ Florida does desperately need more progressive thinkers (who actually act on their hopes for improvement)!
All the angry people moved there during Covid. I survived the great flotillas of 2020. And lasted just over a year. Best of luck! I do hope it goes back purple, it was much redder than I expected.
Shared this to a group of Blue friends in south Florida. They’re fun.
Welcome to Florida! Hope you find some things to love about it, and I’m sure you’ll find some friends working to change the things you don’t. Delighted you are here!