The story of Erin Booth, featured in March in Health News Florida, hit me hard. His family had qualified for Medicaid thanks to a COVID-era program. His 9-year-old son, Landen, bravely fought and beat leukemia, but as Landen began recovering from chemo, the program was cut, leaving him unable to access critical therapies.
A planned expansion of Florida’s KidCare program would help families like Landen’s receive better coverage at lower cost. However, the state has delayed it, choosing political fights over children’s health, as it challenges a federal rule prohibiting dropping children from coverage if parents miss payments.
Erin’s story is heartbreakingly common. Florida has one of the highest uninsured rates nationwide, with more than 2.3 million people lacking coverage. Thousands struggle to afford healthcare for their children, yet those in power choose political theater while families lose hope.
For decades, Republicans have held near-total control of Florida, promising prosperity. But their policies have disproportionately benefited the wealthy and special interests, leaving working- and middle-class Floridians behind. Meanwhile, the Florida Democratic Party has fallen short, too often reacting to Republican policies instead of leading. I believe we can do better. We must move beyond opposition and present bold solutions that speak directly to everyday Floridians’ needs.
We’ve failed the people we claim to fight for. Our message is unclear and doesn’t resonate. While Republicans control the political narrative, we Democrats have struggled to define a clear vision for Florida’s future. Opposing bad policy simply isn’t enough, we must offer something better.
Take public education. Instead of investing in schools, Republicans wage culture wars while ignoring a deeper crisis: underfunded classrooms, Florida’s last place ranking in teacher pay, and students inevitably falling behind. Teachers are quitting in record numbers. Families worry about their children’s future.
Democrats have solutions – raising pay, modernizing curricula, expanding vocational training, and keeping politics out of classrooms – but we’re not communicating them effectively. To win back trust, we must speak plainly about how investing in education means a better future for our kids.
The pattern repeats with housing affordability. Republicans have passed laws protecting insurers while homeowners face some of the highest premiums in the nation. Meanwhile, corporate investors drive up housing prices, keeping homeownership out of reach for many. No Floridian should be outbid by Wall Street when trying to buy a home. Democrats must push for fair housing laws, stronger consumer protections, reinsurance programs to stabilize rates, and more affordable housing options.
Let’s be honest, many voters don’t know what we Democrats stand for beyond opposing Republicans. That must change. Floridians don’t want red tape, they want promising futures for their children, a strong economy, affordable homes, and access to quality healthcare that doesn’t break the bank. We must refocus on these issues that matter most, deliver our message consistently, and once again become the party for working families.
That means organizing year-round, not just during elections: listening, showing up, and earning trust on the ground. It means leading with solutions, not just criticism.
Too many Floridians struggle, not because they fail, but because the systems meant to support them are broken. Families drown in medical bills. Parents want to give their kids a good education but watch schools lose funding. Homeowners try to keep a roof over their heads but costs skyrocket. These aren’t abstract policy debates, they’re real-life challenges.
If we Democrats want to lead again, we must change ourselves. Our future isn’t written yet. I believe in a Florida where every child has healthcare, where public schools are the pride of our communities, and working families thrive and succeed. That future starts with leaders who listen, lead boldly, and never stop fighting for everyday people. It’s time we stop reacting and start building the Florida we deserve.
Patrick O’Bryant is an attorney practicing in Tallahassee.
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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: If we want a better Florida, Democrats need to step up | Opinion
Reporting by Patrick O’Bryant / Tallahassee Democrat
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