State Rep. Ashley Gantt has a new television ad in her campaign for state senate.
And if you didn’t know any better, you’d think she was already running in November.
Against Ron DeSantis.
Not because the governor is suddenly seeking a seat in the Florida Senate.
But because Gantt’s latest campaign commercial spends its time drawing contrasts with the Republican governor rather than with either of the Democrats standing between her and the general election.
“While Ron DeSantis chose fights over culture wars, I’ve stayed focused on what families and Miami-Dade County actually need,” Gantt says in the 
new spot, touting her record on education, families and what not what she calls political distractions.
In the Florida House, I saw Ron DeSatis play politics with our kids’ classrooms while the real problems go ignored,” Gantt says in the 30-second spot that can be seen on YouTube.
“I proudly stood up to that agenda. Fighting for our schools. Our families. Our freedom to live our lives. Now I’m ready to take that fight to the Florida Senate.”
It’s the second ad in which the former teacher takes aim at the guv. And it’s a perfectly logical message. For November.
But it’s still August. And there are still three names on the Democratic primary ballot.
Read related: Here come the ads: Danielle Cohen Higgins, Ashley Gantt hit the airwaves
Officially, Gantt is competing against Democrats Shannan Ighodaro and Christine Sanon-Jules Olivo for the nomination in Senate District 34, the seat being vacated by Sen. Shevrin Jones as he runs for Congress in the seat vacated by Frederica Wilson, who is retiring.
Ighodaro is a former Miami Gardens councilwoman who spent years building connections in the district’s political, civic and church communities. While Gantt has the establishment lined up behind her, Ighodaro is trying to position herself as the grassroots alternative.
But unofficially? Gantt appears to be campaigning as though the nomination is already in her pocket.
That’s not necessarily arrogance. It may simply be reality.
Neither of her Democratic opponents has built anything close to the campaign Gantt has assembled. While they have struggled to gain traction, Gantt has rolled out television advertising, piled up endorsements and raised enough money to behave like someone who has already graduated to the next round of the tournament.
Maybe that’s because, politically speaking, she has.
If endorsements won elections outright, Gantt would probably already be picking out office furniture.
She’s backed by Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, Miami Mayor Eileen Higgins, North Miami Mayor Alix Desulme, Miami Gardens Mayor Rodney Harris, North Bay Village Mayor Rachel Streitfeld and Opa-locka Mayor John Taylor.
Gantt also has the support of the Florida Professional Firefighters, Ruth’s List, the Florida Medical Association, the Associated Builders and Contractors. And, perhaps most importantly, the entire Florida Senate Democratic Caucus.
Not most. All.
When every Democratic senator in Tallahassee lines up behind one House member before the primary is even over, they’re sending a pretty unmistakable message to donors, activists and voters: The party has made its choice.
So why spend money now? Television isn’t cheap. Every dollar spent before Aug. 18 is a dollar unavailable for November. Why go up on television against opponents who have barely registered on the political radar?
Because campaigns don’t just buy votes. They buy momentum. And, frankly, November is just an exercise in process.
Read related: Frederica Wilson drops the mic = North Miami-Dade’s musical chairs begins
If Gantt wins big in the primary, she’s basically won the seat in what has become a predominantly Democratic district.
The Republican nominee, Elizabeth Jeanty, is a great candidate — in the wrong race. She is Haitian. Latina. Black. She hosts a radio show and 
has small business consultant as well a state licensed real estate professional. She is president of the Haitian American Historical Society and, according to her website, has 20 years experience in the non-profit sector.
But Gantt, who defeated James Bush III and Roy Hardemon in the Democratic primary for Florida House of Representatives District 109 two years ago, is seen as the clear frontrunner.
So, why spend so much time and effort on a sure thing? Especially so early, when Democratic voters will care much more about contrasts with Ron DeSantis, public education, reproductive rights and the direction of the state. Those themes practically write themselves for a Democratic general-election campaign. Which is why seeing them dominate a primary ad feels, um, premature.
One reason could be that it sends a message to voters, donors and interest groups that she’s the undisputed Democratic standard-bearer heading into the general election.
It’s also possible she’s doing what experienced campaigns often do. Using the primary to define herself before somebody else gets the chance.
The ad itself isn’t surprising. Ashley Gantt is running exactly the campaign you’d expect from a well-funded incumbent with the backing of virtually 
every major Democratic player in South Florida.
What’s surprising is the timing. It’s almost as though her campaign has skipped ahead two chapters.
While her opponents are still trying to convince Democrats they’re the better choice, Gantt is already introducing herself to November voters. Maybe that’s confidence. Maybe it’s strategy. Or maybe she’s already thinking ahead and positioning herself as a state Democratic leader.
Because Ron DeSantis remains an interesting choice for a campaign foil.
Especially considering he isn’t actually running in Senate District 34.
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