Young Republicans aim to convert Democratic-held Florida county and establish chapter headquarters in Orlando, with the support of GOP chair.

This week, the Young Republicans National Federation expanded its presence with the establishment of a new state chapter headquarters in Orlando, Florida.

The selection of the office location was strategic in the hope of turning the predominantly blue area red before the 2024 presidential election.

According to Brandon Ludwig, a defense contractor and chairman of the Florida Young Republicans, investing in Orlando and completing twice the work in less time will have a significant impact.

Ludwig, a fifth-generation Floridian, was elected chairman in June 2023.

According to the World Population Review, Orange County's projected population for 2024 is 1,491,071.

According to the Florida Division of Elections, as of July 12, 2024, there were 805,510 registered voters in Orange County, with 214,177 registered Republicans and 322,541 registered Democrats.

According to Erin Huntley, Orange County GOP chair, about 39% of voters in a blue county are Democrat and 27% are Republican, as she shared with Planet Chronicle Digital over the phone.

According to Huntley, a voter registration analysis of Orange County from the previous year revealed that 10,000 voters registered as Republicans and 2,000 registered as Democrats.

When voter registration shifts, it indicates a surge of energy, desire, and momentum in our favor, according to Huntley.

The Young Republicans are targeting the young hospitality industry professionals in Orlando, specifically those working for Disney and Universal, as a key demographic for their recruiting efforts.

He stated that it would enable us to connect with various individuals in Orlando and make significant progress in addressing its diverse communities.

After Waukesha, Wisconsin, Florida is the second state to establish a Young Republican headquarters. The Young Republican National Federation's headquarters is located in Washington, D.C.

Ludwig and Huntley, along with others, devoted themselves to establishing a central hub for campaigning and organizing, collaborating with the county's GOP to maximize the impact of new Republican voters.

The Florida Young Republicans are concentrating on enlisting new members through door-to-door canvassing and organizing social and professional gatherings, among other strategies.

"Our networking operation is excellent, with a diverse group of individuals from various backgrounds. Although I am not involved in politics, we have members of Congress who are part of our organization, including Florida Young Republican members and former television stars."

In 2022, Ludwig's Young Republicans organization had eight chapters and 300 members in the Sunshine State. Now, Ludwig is proud to announce that the Young Republicans have grown to 20 chapters and over 1,000 members.

"Ludwig stated that Tampa is experiencing growth, with many people from California and northern states moving to the area. This is particularly interesting because many of these newcomers had not previously been involved in politics, but they left their previous homes due to political reasons."

While Young Republicans prioritize several political issues requiring change, the increasing cost of living and inflation are the top concerns among members.

"Ludwig stated that young people, who are the same age as him, are unable to buy a house due to being stuck in renting and lack of knowledge about their financial future. He added that although there are other concerns, this is the most frequently mentioned issue."

The new Florida headquarters will focus on increasing awareness in the area and throughout the state, while Orlando, as an international hub, has the potential to spread awareness beyond the state.

Ludwig stated that our impact will mainly occur in Florida.

""Orlando, being a major conference destination, will enable us to effectively connect with individuals on a state and national level," he stated."