NewsWUSF — Tampa Bay NPR (Politics)November 2, 2026Hillsborough County
Florida’s growing Asian American population’s untapped political potential
Photo: WUSF — Tampa Bay NPR (Politics)
Asian American organizations celebrated National Vote Early Day in Orlando on Oct. 24 as the state's AAPI population experiences rapid growth. Despite a 70.26% increase in the AAPI voting bloc between 2014 and 2024, community members and leaders report that many voters remain largely ignored by political campaigns.
Read the full story at WUSF — Tampa Bay NPR (Politics)Why It Matters
The AAPI voting bloc in Florida grew by over 70 percent in a decade, yet studies show high percentages of registered voters report receiving no contact from major political parties ahead of elections.
Key Facts
- Multiple Asian organizations celebrated National Vote Early Day in Orlando on Oct. 24.
- Florida's total AAPI voting bloc increased by 70.26% between 2014 and 2024 according to a joint study by APIAVote and AAPI Data.
- Between 2014 and 2024, Florida's total AAPI population grew by 48.4%, outpacing the national rate of around 32%.
- In 2024, the total AAPI population in the U.S. exceeded 27 million, with approximately 16 million eligible voters.
- A national poll found that 90% of AAPI registered voters plan to vote in the 2026 midterms, up from 84% in 2022 and 86% in 2018.
- Alachua County holds the highest share of Asian residents in Florida at 7.7%, followed by Orange County at 6.7%.
- Other Florida counties with large Asian populations include Broward, Hillsborough, Duval, and Miami-Dade.
- Studies of 2026 voter metrics by APIAVote and AAPI Data found 42% reporting no contact from the Democratic Party and 58% from the Republican Party.
- Mimi McAndrews served as the first Asian-American woman in the Florida Legislature from 1992 to 1994.
- Anna Lopez Brosche was the first Asian American woman elected to the Jacksonville City Council and later served as CFO of Jacksonville.
Who's Mentioned
locationDuval“County with a large Asian population.”OrganizationNational Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum“Organization where May Thach did door-to-door canvassing.”OrganizationJacksonville City Council“City council where Anna Lopez Brosche served.”PersonAngie Nixon“Florida Senate candidate.”OrganizationUniversity of Florida“University attended by Joaquin Rafaele Marcelino.”locationHillsborough“County with a large Asian population.”PersonDonald Trump“Former U.S. President noted regarding past AAPI outreach.”PersonAgnes Lopez“Founding board member of Jax Filipinos.”OrganizationJax Filipinos“Group serving Filipino populations in Jacksonville.”OrganizationThe Florida Trib“Publication featuring comments from Angie Nixon.”locationOrange County“County with an Asian population proportion of 6.7%.”PersonMimi McAndrews“First Asian-American woman elected to the Florida Legislature.”locationBroward“County with a large Asian population.”OrganizationFlorida House of Representatives“State legislative body where Mimi McAndrews and May Thach ran.”PersonRicky Ly“Vietnamese Chinese American co-founder of AAPI Coming Together.”OrganizationU.S. Census Bureau“Source for population growth statistics.”PersonCharlie Crist“Former official noted regarding past gubernatorial runs.”locationOrlando“City where National Vote Early Day was celebrated.”locationUniversity of California, Berkeley“Base for AAPI Data research organization.”OrganizationAAPI Data“Research organization based at the University of California, Berkeley.”OrganizationAAPI Coming Together“Nonpartisan nonprofit focused on increasing AAPI civic engagement.”locationMiami-Dade“County with a large Asian population.”locationTallahassee“Location of the Florida Capitol.”OrganizationBobas shops“Pop culture and business establishments appearing alongside other Asian business”OrganizationAPIAVote“Nonpartisan nonprofit that conducted a joint study on the AAPI voting bloc.”PersonJoaquin Rafaele Marcelino“Filipino-Chinese American student and graduate from the University of Florida.”PersonMay Thach“Democratic candidate for Florida House of Representatives District 61.”OrganizationRiverside Arts Market“Location hosting Philippine Independence Day events.”locationAlachua County“County holding the highest share of Asians in Florida at 7.7%.”PersonAnna Lopez Brosche“CFO of the city of Jacksonville and former Jacksonville City Council President.”