THE VILLAGES, Fla. — The Villages, a largely Republican retirement community in Central Florida, has become a hotspot for political campaigning over the years.

Political candidates on both sides of the aisle come through during election season, and it doesn’t hurt that the retirees living there have the time and are more likely to vote.

“It’s interesting to be a part of that,” said Dale Smith, a Republican Villager. “Luckily, I guess I could say that I’m on the side that usually wins because most people are Republican.”

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Nikki Fried took her campaign bus and a caravan of supporters through The Villages on Friday morning. 

“We know that in order for us to win in the general election, we gotta go everywhere,” she told Spectrum News. “Regardless of what side of the political aisle you’re on, there’s energy here, there’s excitement here and it’s certainly a great place to come through and visit on a campaign tour. And we’ll be back here for the general election.”

Fried’s democratic opponent, Charlie Crist, also visited The Villages in April.

Jeannie Byler, a Democratic Villager and a Nikki Fried supporter who joined in her caravan, said bit by bit, she is seeing more Democrats in The Villages.

“We’re becoming more active,” she said. “At one time, yes, they were in the closet. They were afraid.”

When asked if she thinks Florida can swing blue for the gubernatorial election, she said putting in the effort is the best way to help that happen.

“We can’t do it unless we try and that’s why we’re here,” she said.