For the Republican Party to be successful in the various Senate and governor races it hopes to win in November, the GOP will need to have a high voter turnout, says Kevin Derby, senior political reporter for the Sunshine State News.
"It's going to depend on turnout," Derby told Ed Berliner on "MidPoint" on
Newsmax TV Tuesday. "Can the Republicans get their base out or can the Democrats get their base out?"
Story continues below video.
Note: Watch Newsmax TV now on DIRECTV Ch. 349 and DISH Ch. 223
Get Newsmax TV on your cable system – Click Here Now
As for the Sunshine State, "Republicans have won every gubernatorial election in Florida since [Sen.] Lawton Chiles beat [former Gov.] Jeb Bush back in 1994."
"They have the organizational upper hand, if this race is as tight as we think it is, that could help [Gov.] Rick Scott prevail come November," he explained.
"Polls are showing this as a toss-up," he said. "Some polls are showing a lot of momentum towards Rick Scott with a slight lead, one to two percent" over former Gov. Charlie Crist.
"Less than six months ago Rick Scott was down by about eight to 10 points, 18 months ago he was down by almost 20 points," he added. "Rick Scott has gone on the attack and it has paid off big time for him against Charlie Crist."
As for the gubernatorial race in Maine between Republican Gov. Paul LePage and Democrat Mike Michaud, Derby says that it will come "down to Elliot Cutler, the third party candidate who right now is at about 15 percent."
"Cutler almost defeated LePage back in 2010, he is a staunch liberal who is a former aide to Ed Muskie," he explained. "His numbers are starting to shrink."
"If Cutler's numbers keep collapsing like they are right now that's going to help the Democrats pick up the governorship up there in Maine," he said.
Derby says that another interesting governor's race to watch in November will be in Arkansas between Republican Rep. Asa Hutchinson and Democratic Rep. Mike Ross.
"This one is going to be close; it's going to be ugly," he said.
"Mike Ross, the Democrat long-time member of Congress is bringing in Bill Clinton next week," he explained. "We'll see how that goes."
"Congressman Hutchinson is bringing in Jeb Bush," he added.
"When push comes to shove, Arkansas is going red and Hutchinson prevails by the skin of his teeth in November."
© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.