Florida has officially replaced New York as the third most populated state in the United States and with its new position, Florida becomes an even greater political target in the 2016 Presidential year.

For the first time in its history the Sunshine State even has two realistic Presidential hopefuls in former Governor Jeb Bush and U. S. Senator  Marco Rubio.  Both have the extra advantage of being attractive to Hispanic voters.

Despite’s its booming population growth and national image Florida has never produced a Presidential candidate although the state could brag its first Territorial Governor became President.  Andrew Jackson, however,  ran from his home state of Tennessee.

Part of Florida’s weak national political history is the reality the state was the least populated state in the South as recently as 1920.  The other factor is that “The Rich Boy of the South” has a distinctive history since the Florida Land Boom that has turned from  its Southern roots.

Ask a person in Alabama or Georgia is Florida is a “Southern” state, they will bluntly tell you “No.”  Neither is Florida a Northern state.  People view Florida as Florida and its stand alone status has meant that Floridians are not identified with any region of the nation, but as a unique and separate entity.

That could be both good and bad for Florida’s Presidential candidates. At least now everyone across the nation will know Florida is now one of the Big Three.