The 2022 election season is kicking into high gear as candidates across the state are beginning their final push to gain support. The Election is coming, and the highly contested races for U.S. senator and governor have each side traveling the state to ensure that no voter is left untouched. 

Early voting has been underway since Oct. 24, and continues through Sunday. Five Central Florida county leaders announced they were concerned that the number of early voters is lower than it was during the 2018 midterm elections.

As far as registration numbers are concerned, there has been a slight increase across Florida in registered Republican voters, as well as a slight decline in voters who registered as a Democrat. Out of the state’s 14.5 million registered voters, Republicans make up slightly more than 36%, Democrats make up 34%, and those with no party affiliation constitute nearly 28%. 

Race for Governor

The race for governor is between incumbent Gov. Ron DeSantis, who served the last four years in the state’s top post, and former Florida Gov. Charlie Crist, who is currently serving in the House of Representatives in Washington. 

Ron DeSantis

The Friday before election day was a busy one for the DeSantis campaign. His team released a new black-and-white ad via Twitter. In the ad, a voice-over says that God made a fighter to protect people's rights over pictures of DeSantis. The campaign also released a statement saying that workers and volunteers have knocked on a total of 2 million doors so far in their push to get out the vote and motivate Republicans to the ballot box. 

“We are seeing such overwhelming enthusiasm because of the policy accomplishments we've been able to deliver for the people of Florida," DeSantis said in a statement. "We have ensured parental rights in education, provided the largest tax relief package in state history, kept our communities safe, and restored our Everglades and natural resources. We've achieved so much in the past four years for Florida, and we've only just begun. Together, we will Keep Florida Free!"

DeSantis visited three stops in his "Don't Treat on Florida" tour Friday. He made stops in Clay, Brevard and Broward counties. On Saturday, he will also make stops in Volusia, St. Lucie, Seminole and Pinellas counties. On Sunday, he will continue his tour in Hillsborough, Sarasota and Lee counties, the last of which was hit hard by Hurricane Ian. 

Charlie Crist

Crist was also busy on Friday. His running mate, Karla Hernández, had two stops in St. Petersburg and Haines City before she stopped in Brooksville for a block party and tour caravan. She then went to a "Salsa to the Polls" event in Kissimmee. 

Crist began his day with a summit in Jacksonville with Operation Save Our Sons to discuss the impacts of gun violence with local residents. Then, he attended a lunch with Jacksonville community leaders. He then visited a local barber to meet with residents before attending a fish fry aimed at getting out the vote. 

The campaign also announced an endorsement from the governor of Puerto Rico, who campaigned with the team in Kissimmee. 

"I’m honored to earn the endorsement of Gov. Pierluisi and Puerto Rican leaders across the aisle who are ready for a partner in Florida," said Crist. "Boricuas across our Sunshine State deserve a leader who cares about their families on and off the island — I vow to be that leader."

Crist will continue his "Choose Freedom Tour" Saturday at the Bethune Cookman Homecoming Parade before heading to "Get Out the Vote" efforts in Orlando and Tampa. 

The campaign also announced a final rally in Broward County that will take place in Hollywood on Monday. 

Race for U.S. Senate

The race for Senate this year is between incumbent Sen. Marco Rubio, who has served 11 years over two terms, and U.S. Rep. Val Demings, who has served in Washington for the past five years over three terms. 

Val Demings

Demings spent the Friday before election day in Jacksonville, where she attended a public event with voters. The stop is the first on her "The Last Ride" tour of the state that will include stops in Tampa, Orlando and Hollywood before the election. 

She focused on school safety and guns in her messaging Friday. 

"Four and a half years later, and the survivors and families of the Parkland shooting are still fighting for the safety of our children," she said on Twitter. "I stand with every member of our community who is fighting for gun safety in America."

Her campaign also released an ad that plays several quotes of former President Donald Trump's attacks on Rubio. The attacks range from asserting that Rubio doesn't attend votes in Congress to saying that he's too sweaty. 

Her campaign also announced that she planned to hold an election night watch party on Tuesday. 

Marco Rubio

This weekend, Rubio is scheduled to attend an event with Trump. DeSantis is not scheduled to appear at the event. 

He is then scheduled to make an appearance in Ocala on Saturday as part of his "Getting Things Done" tour.