arlier this year, Long Play examines the divisions and shifting political alignments in various Southern states. After concluding its first season with trips to Georgia, Texas and other Southern states, the show kicks off its second season ahead of the midterms with a Florida episode.

Five flagship and three bonus episodes are planned, straddling both sides of the midterms and set in Texas and Georgia, where close Senate races are unfolding, among other states. The overall goal remains to recalibrate perceptions of the region as a GOP stronghold, which principals say is far too simplistic and out of date.

In Florida, Donalds has looked to court the Black vote to gain the governorship.  You've been faithful to that [Democratic] party, have they been faithful to you?,  he recently told an audience at HBCU Florida A M. Donalds would be Florida's first Black governor, though has struggled to gain support of large numbers of Black voters, even losing 17 counties in August's primary to white opponents.

As for the Senate, flipping a Florida seat blue (the seat Nixon is seeking is currently held by Moody, who was appointed two years ago when Marco Rubio was named Secretary of State), is a nice-to-have for Florida Democrats but not seen as essential in retaking control of the Senate.

Nixon says on the show that she thinks a win for her is viable.  So, honestly, there's a whole bunch of polls,  says Nixon, as she seeks to become both the first Black senator and first female Democratic Senator in Florida's history.  There are some ranging from tied to seven points. Recently, one was two, I was two points down, like, yesterday. And so the only poll that matters is the Election Day poll. 

In an email, Palmieri said that  My takeaway is neither party can ever write off Florida. It's too big, too dynamic to take for granted…any outcome is possible.  Added Haines:  The 2026 midterm cycle has been unpredictable - and Florida is arguably one of the biggest examples of that unpredictability. 

Palmieri, a former Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama comms exec who also cohosted Showtime staple The Circus, and Haines, editor-at-large for The 19th, co-host the show with contributions from former NOLA mayor Mitch Landrieu. Circus producer Left/Right produces, and Crooked Media fixture Jon Favreau exec produces. A companion podcast will also be released.