TAMPA, Fla. — Both presidential candidates are hoping to sway undecided voters, and the Chairman of the Florida Independent Party says Tuesday night's debate is a first step.
Ernie Bach said there are 258,000 registered independents in Florida.
Bach said many of them are calling him for recommendations on a vote.
“Most of them say, who should we vote for? They come right out with it. They waste no time,” Bach said.
Bach has been an independent since Ross Perot ran for president in 1992. He said this election cycle, he has an issue with both parties.
“Neither one of them are really soliciting the independent vote,” he said. “They are talking about (how) the independent voters are important, they’re throwing words out there, but nobody is doing anything about really making the case to independents,” Bach said.
He said he is looking forward to hearing how Vice President Kamala Harris and former president Donald Trump will handle some of the top concerns of voters during Tuesday night’s debate. That includes immigration, affordable housing and the economy.
"Items that I was buying at regular price, $7.99 and $8.99 just a year and a half ago (are) $10.99 today. That’s price gouging," he said.
Bach asked independent voters to keep a score card during the debate, adding points for what voters liked and what they did not like about the candidate. Bach is hoping to use the information to create a database that focuses on voters in his party.
