More than a million new residents have moved to Florida since 2010, the first year the annual Sunshine State Survey was released.
The economy, education, crime, immigration and the environment remain top issues. But University of South Florida professor Susan McManus says the numbers shows the influx of new residents brings with it more liberal views.
“People moving into this state tend to be younger, not older, which a lot of people don’t realize", McManus said. "Younger people are much more diverse in their ideologies, but especially in their racial and ethnic composition."
She says these changes are a warning to politicians and special interest groups hoping to win in the next election.
“And you have to constantly be looking at changes in opinions", said McManus.