A Democratic boost in a conservative retirement hub
THE VILLAGES, Fla. — The Villages, one of the world’s largest retirement communities and long known as a conservative stronghold, has seen a small but enthusiastic Democratic presence become more visible as Vice President Kamala Harris has emerged as the Democratic Party’s presidential candidate, the Associated Press reported.
AP said the political shift is tied to residents feeling more confident about expressing their views publicly. It described how, before Harris’ candidacy, left-leaning residents in the central Florida enclave tended to keep their political preferences private, fearing they could face social blowback such as being excluded from clubs or activities.
Membership growth and a new willingness to speak
Diane Foley, president of the Villages Democratic Club, said the group’s members are now more likely to believe they have a voice. “They are beginning to realize that they have a voice and they can use it,” Foley said, according to AP. She also said earlier Democrats had tended to stay quiet because they felt “overwhelmed by the Republican party,” adding, “Democrats have been inclined to be quiet and to not broadcast their political preferences because we were so overwhelmed by the Republican party.”
AP reported the club’s membership has nearly doubled since the 2020 election cycle to around 1,500 people. It said that, in addition to the growing club roster, some residents are making their support visible through campaign-themed gestures.
Harris-themed visibility, Emhoff visit
AP reported that parades of golf carts decorated in support of Harris have rolled through the streets of The Villages. It also said second gentleman Doug Emhoff recently paid a visit to the community.
The AP report said Democrats who chose to wear Harris T-shirts or put up lawn signs sometimes encountered neighbors approaching them with relief. In one example cited by AP, a resident told a Harris supporter, “We thought we were the only ones.”
Still, many residents avoid open politics
Even with that increased confidence, AP said most residents still avoid openly discussing politics to reduce tension in the Wildwood-The Villages area, officially described as a census-designated, master-planned metro area of more than 151,000 people.
Foley told AP that neighbors are generally friendly and that residents prefer to avoid political friction: “You want to get along with your neighbors. They’re nice people. So we just don’t talk about it.”
A Republican-turned-volunteer describes cautious support
AP also described the experience of retired lawyer Howard Underwood, 71, and his wife Janet, 74. The report said they were Republicans for four decades until Donald Trump became the candidate in 2016.
Underwood told AP that he and his wife now describe themselves as not affiliated with either major party, and that he volunteers with the Democrats club to support Harris. He said, “We’ve made common cause with the Democrats, even though I don’t share a whole lot of Kamala’s ideas on things,” and added, “The alternative is unthinkable.”
Underwood said he does not want to escalate matters for himself personally, telling AP that he will not put a bumper sticker on his car “for fear of blowback.” Still, he said the presence of Democrats in The Villages has become more noticeable, adding with a laugh, “Democrats in The Villages has kind of become a thing.”
Party colors, quiet coexistence
In the AP account, Underwood described a pattern of private understanding among long-time friends with different party affiliations. He told AP, “Most of our best friends are conservative. We know they are red, and they know we are blue, and we all just don’t talk about it.”
He also said residents are largely focused on retirement life, telling AP, “We’re all here for one reason, we’re retired. We’re relaxing… trying to.”
At the same time, AP reported that the political atmosphere has included intimidation. In a final excerpt of Underwood’s comments, AP said, “We have gotten death threats about who we are going to vote for,” — highlighting that even in a community built around leisure, national campaigns can bring heightened pressure to local conversations.