4-minute read
Vice President JD Vance spoke to a packed crowd at the SUN ‘n FUN Skylight Hangar A in Lakeland on Oct. 1, rallying support for the Republican ticket ahead of the midterm elections.
The rally comes as the gubernatorial race between Republican candidate Byron Donalds and Democratic opponent David Jolly tightens, with recent polling suggesting Republicans slipping in the polls.
Cheers echoed throughout the venue and supporters waved flags and signs in approval as Republicans addressed topics ranging from affordability to what they described as the “threat of socialism.” Donalds called for “common-sense conservatism.”
Other candidates took aim at their Democratic opponents, with incumbent Republican Sen. Ashley Moody targeting her challenger, Democratic state Rep. Angie Nixon, calling her a “cancer on this nation.”
“They are coming after the very foundation of this country,” said Moody of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), an organization which Nixon does not fully align with, despite her active membership. The DSA does not currently endorse Nixon, according to their website.
Applause and interruptions
Amid enthusiastic applause, multiple protestors interrupted Vance’s speech during the rally.
Vance fired back as one individual was escorted out: “That guy is a Democrat plant who wants to raise your taxes and release illegal aliens on the streets of Florida.”
Despite turnout from MAGA supporters, polls show divisions within the party persist.
Jesus Rivera-Diaz, 22, of Sanford, Fla., attended to see Vance and Donalds campaign together and hear their plans for Florida. His biggest concern was the conflict in Iran and its effects on affordability.
“Honestly, I just want this war to stop,” said Rivera-Diaz. “It’s raising our gas prices. It’s killing our troops. I just want all that to end.”
His frustrations about the war come as 47% of voters cite the cost of living as a leading issue heading into the midterms, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted in late August.
Opposition outside the rally
Across from the rally on Medulla Road, around a dozen protesters stood with megaphones and signs, drawing mixed reactions from cars passing by, with some honking in support and others waving obscene gestures.
“I have been a registered Republican my entire life. I changed that to Democrat,” said Rebecca McComis, 53. “I didn’t want to, but I did because I do not want to be associated with the Republican party the way it is today.”
Vance’s appearance on Thursday comes after Donalds’ campaign pulled images of President Donald Trump from its website, which were once displayed on the home page, following a decline in Trump’s approval ratings.
As Republicans ramp up efforts to energize their base ahead of Election Day, Trump is expected in Mobile, Alabama, on Oct. 2.
Vice President JD Vance rallies the hangar crowd from behind the Seal of the Vice President during a Republican midterm rally at Skylight Hangar A at Sun n’ Fun in Lakeland, Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026. | David Dickey Jr., LkldNow 
State Rep. Jennifer Canady, a Lakeland Republican, continues her remarks at the podium before a dense crowd of red-hatted supporters inside the hangar during a Republican midterm rally at Skylight Hangar A at Sun n’ Fun in Lakeland, Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026. | David Dickey Jr., LkldNow 
A curly-haired man in a white shirt and red patterned tie shouts while being escorted outdoors by a Lakeland Police officer during a Republican midterm rally at Skylight Hangar A at Sun n’ Fun in Lakeland, Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026. | David Dickey Jr., LkldNow 
Rep. Scott Franklin (R-Fla.) attended a Republican midterm rally at Skylight Hangar A at Sun n’ Fun in Lakeland, Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026. | David Dickey Jr., LkldNow 
Sen. Ashley Moody (R-Fla.) in a navy pantsuit over a red blouse, smiles and waves while walking the stage as supporters hold up phones and small American flags during a Republican midterm rally at Skylight Hangar A at Sun n’ Fun in Lakeland, Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026. | David Dickey Jr., LkldNow 
A man in a white shirt and red tie holding a phone on a selfie stick is restrained by a man in a dark suit and a Lakeland Police officer as he shouts to disrupt a Republican midterm rally at Skylight Hangar A at Sun n’ Fun in Lakeland, Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026. | David Dickey Jr., LkldNow 
An supporter in a decorated wheelchair attends a Republican midterm rally at Skylight Hangar A at Sun n’ Fun in Lakeland, Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026. | David Dickey Jr., LkldNow 
Conservative TV host Sean Hannity, in a dark suit and patterned red tie with an American flag lapel pin, smiles while speaking into a handheld microphone as he works the crowd during a Republican midterm rally at Skylight Hangar A at Sun n’ Fun in Lakeland, Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026. | David Dickey Jr., LkldNow 
Supporters wait in a long security line under moss-draped oak trees ahead of a Republican midterm rally featuring Vice President JD Vance in Lakeland on Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026. | David Dickey Jr., LkldNow 
Attendees in patriotic attire take photos of conservative TV host Sean Hannity, as he works the crowd during a Republican midterm rally at Skylight Hangar A at Sun n’ Fun in Lakeland, Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026. | David Dickey Jr., LkldNow 
Middle school age kids watch the Republican midterm rally on a large display at Sun n’ Fun in Lakeland, Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026. | David Dickey Jr., LkldNow 
Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) addresses the Lakeland hangar crowd during the midterm rally headlined by Vice President JD Vance during a Republican midterm rally at Skylight Hangar A at Sun n’ Fun in Lakeland, Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026. | David Dickey Jr., LkldNow 
Vice President JD Vance raises his right hand in a gesture while speaking at the Seal of the Vice President podium, with “Defend Our Future” stage banners and teleprompters framing the shot during a Republican midterm rally at Skylight Hangar A at Sun n’ Fun in Lakeland, Fla., Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026. | David Dickey Jr., LkldNow
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