TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida Republicans are directing millions of dollars and a flood of campaign ads toward competitive legislative races as Democrats try to cut into the GOP’s control of the state Capitol. The stakes are more than symbolic: Republicans’ supermajorities have made it easier to advance their agenda, while Democrats say breaking that dominance would give their voters more influence. Republicans are still expected to retain control of the Legislature, but political headwinds and several closely watched races have prompted an aggressive defense. Miami hedge fund billionaire Ken Griffin has donated $8 million this election cycle to Republican legislative leadership funds. Senate Republicans have spent more than $14 million on television advertising in key races in South Florida, Tampa and Central Florida, according to ad-tracking firm AdImpact. Leadership funds on both sides have also paid for campaign staffing and polling. Incoming House Speaker Sam Garrison, a Republican from Fleming Island, acknowledged the tougher environment. Independent voters have shifted toward Democrats amid concerns including gas prices, the war in Iran and economic uncertainty, and Republicans may not enjoy the turnout advantage they had in the last two elections. Gov. Ron DeSantis won reelection by nearly 20 points in 2022. “We’ve got headwinds this cycle,” Garrison said, adding that Republican leaders are focused on helping candidates communicate directly with voters. The Legislature has 160 seats. Republicans hold 26 seats in the 40-member Senate, one short of a two-thirds supermajority. That total reflects the vacancy left when Bryan Avila resigned this summer after being selected by U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds to run for lieutenant governor. DeSantis has not scheduled a special election to fill the seat. In the 120-member House, Democrats hold 34 seats and need to gain seven to end the GOP supermajority. Two seats now held by Republicans were occupied by Democrats who switched parties after the 2024 elections; those districts are considered potential Democratic pickup opportunities. Other contests around Tampa Bay, Central Florida and South Florida could also be competitive. One high-profile race is House District 87, which includes Mar-a-Lago. Democratic state Rep. Emily Gregory won the seat in a March special election and is now facing Republican Jon Maples in a rematch. Garrison said Republicans consider the district important and intend to provide Maples with resources to reach voters. Campaigns in the district have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on advertising. Republican messaging in legislative races has attacked Democratic candidates as liberal or tied to socialists, and criticized some for opposing a proposed property-tax overhaul on the November ballot. Other GOP ads say their candidates will challenge insurance companies or developers. Democrats, who are outspent on advertising, are emphasizing the cost of living. Incoming House Democratic leader Christine Hunschofsky said the party recruited candidates who understand the financial strain many Floridians face. She described them as ordinary residents motivated to run because “something has to change.” Senate contests are drawing heavy spending, too. Two Miami-area Republican seats are at stake, along with Senate District 10 in Central Florida, which narrowly backed Donald Trump in 2024. Republican incumbent Jason Brodeur is facing Maitland Mayor John Lowndes. Brodeur has appeared in an ad endorsed by DeSantis, while other ads have attacked Lowndes over his record as mayor and his legal clients. Republicans are also spending millions to try to recapture Senate District 14, centered on Tampa, which Democrats won in a special election earlier this year. Democrat Brian Nathan is facing former Republican state Rep. Josie Tomkow in a rematch. Ads have portrayed Nathan as an “extreme liberal.” Incoming Senate Democratic leader Tracie Davis criticized the GOP’s negative advertising and said Democrats intend to break the Senate supermajority. The campaign fight will test whether Republican fundraising and turnout operations can hold their advantage as affordability concerns and competitive districts put more seats in play.