Biden Campaign Sees Florida as ‘Winnable’ After State’s 6-Week Abortion Ban Threatens Women in the Southeast

The campaign noted that Florida's near-total abortion ban will be a central issue in Florida’s election cycle, as it will prevent women in the region from having close access to abortion care

Joe Biden’s campaign believes he has a chance to win Florida in the 2024 presidential election.

The president’s campaign manager, Julie Chávez Rodríguez, said in a memo obtained by PEOPLE that she sees a pathway to winning Florida — despite former President Donald Trump winning the state in the past two elections — due in part to its contentious, near-total abortion ban being implemented.

Related: Florida's 6-Week Abortion Ban Will Now Take Effect in 30 Days, Court Rules

“President Biden is in a stronger position to win Florida this cycle than he was in 2020,” said Rodríguez, who cited a couple of Democrats who have over-performed in the state since Roe v. Wade was reversed. “Make no mistake: Florida is not an easy state to win, but it is a winnable one for President Biden, especially given Trump’s weak, cash-strapped campaign, and serious vulnerabilities within his coalition.”

The campaign noted that the impending six-week abortion ban will be a central issue in Florida’s election cycle as it will prevent women in the Southeast from getting an abortion unless they travel hundreds or thousands of miles over state lines to reach parts of the U.S. where abortion is legal.

Related: Joe Biden's 2024 Message to Never-Trump Republicans? 'Save America, Join Us'

The memo also said polls show that an “overwhelming majority” of Florida residents support abortion rights, including a University of North Florida poll in November which determined that 62% of respondents would vote in favor of a state ballot amendment to enshrine abortion protections. There is an amendment of that nature slated to appear on the 2024 ballot, and Biden's campaign is hoping it will help Democrats down-ballot.

The campaign claimed that along with restricting abortion rights, Florida has made several other “unpopular” moves — such as having lenient gun laws, banning certain books and targeting vulnerable populations with legislation. Plus, housing costs are rising fast in the state, the campaign said, and it is ranked low for health insurance access.

Related: Ron DeSantis Defends New Florida Curriculum to Teach Slavery’s ‘Benefit,’ Says ‘Scholars’ Are Behind It

The memo also boasted that Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has spent $15.6 billion funding 581 projects in the state to improve roads, bridges, clean water and high speed internet, and that Florida “leads the nation” with enrollment in the Affordable Care Act, as 4.2 million Floridians have signed up for health insurance so far.

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However, Republicans have shown to be the more popular option in Florida elections in recent years, with far-right Gov. Ron DeSantis leading the state since 2019. The GOP has also garnered a more than 800,000 voter registration lead over Democrats, according to NBC News.

New Florida GOP Chairman Evan Power told NBC that he remains confident Florida voters will sway to their side again.

“It seems the only thing consistent in the world these days is Democrats claiming they will somehow have a shot at winning Florida,” Power said. “Floridians have rejected the radical left policies of Joe Biden. It’s why Republicans have gone from down 100,000 net voters to nearly a 900,000 advantage in just four years."

“Rest assured, Florida will deliver a resounding victory for President Trump and our Republican team in November,” he added.

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