The hill Florida Democrats have to climb to office gets higher and higher every day thanks in part to the 1.3 million registered voter advantage Republicans have in the state.

NPAs make up 3.4 million of the more than 13.5 million eligible voters in Florida, and it’ll be interesting to hear what David Jolly—a recent Republican who now wants to represent the Ds in the gubernatorial race—has to say at this immigration town hall.

Jolly, who changed party affiliation in April, recently told WMNF public affairs program The Skinny that he would shut down the so-called “Alligator Alcatraz” detention center on day one and thinks immigration is where he might be able to contribute to the national dialog.

“Republicans have gotten away with conflating immigration and crime, and it’s gross and it’s wrong and it’s cruel. We can be a state and we should be a Democratic party that’s tough on crime but lifts up communities. Republican leadership right now is fighting communities, not fighting crime,” he added.

Rep. Kathy Castor is also on the panel along with La Gaceta publisher Patrick Manteiga, immigration attorney Danielle Hernandez and others.

Donations will be accepted for the immigration town hall at the Cuban Club in Ybor City on Tuesday, Aug. 19.

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This article appears in Aug 14-20, 2025.