TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — After spending a month informing Floridians about hurricanes, Governor Ron DeSantis is shifting his focus to opposing an amendment that would secure abortion rights. This change comes as he organizes a rally resembling a campaign event, using state resources just two weeks ahead of the election.
On Monday, DeSantis hosted an event that featured a prayer by the Archbishop of Miami, along with comments from the lieutenant governor urging attendees to avoid making decisions that could appear non-religious. These activities occurred after a significant resignation at the Department of Health, where the chief attorney stepped down following what he claimed was pressure from the governor’s office to send a letter intended to quash a pro-Amendment 4 advertisement.
During the rally, DeSantis asserted, “When you’re dealing with constitutional amendments your default should always be no.” He emphasized the permanence of constitutional changes, arguing that altering such changes is exceedingly difficult compared to regular policies and legislation. The event saw attendance from medical professionals who share opposition to the abortion rights amendment.
Prior to the rally, former Department of Health attorney John Wilson provided an affidavit detailing how he was instructed by legal advisors for DeSantis to send a threatening letter to television stations regarding the advertisement supporting the amendment. Wilson expressed that he chose to resign instead of sending additional correspondence. Recently, a judge intervened to prevent the department from further intimidating TV stations over these ads. In response, the group behind the advertisement, Floridians Protecting Freedom, initiated a lawsuit concerning the state’s communications with the media.
“This affidavit exposes state interference at the highest level,” said Lauren Brenzel, director of the Yes on 4 campaign. She condemned the state’s actions as being overtly antagonistic towards the amendment, framing it as an anti-democratic move to uphold a widely disapproved abortion ban. The measure, which is among nine similar proposals nationwide, stands out as the most financially intensive campaign thus far, with expenditure on ads reaching approximately $160 million. To pass, it requires a 60% majority from voters and would counteract the current Florida law that restricts abortion after the first six weeks of pregnancy, a timeline before many women even recognize their pregnancy.
DeSantis’ administration has actively campaigned against this ballot initiative. Attendees at Monday’s rally enthusiastically supported DeSantis’ remarks. However, the loudest commendations were reserved for Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nunez. Responding to a physician’s claim that his opposition to the amendment was not religious in nature, Nunez distinctly articulated her perspective: “We cannot go to church and pray like Christians and turn around and vote like atheists,” prompting a prolonged standing ovation from the crowd.
The event culminated with a prayer from Archbishop Thomas Wenski, who prayed for Floridians to honor life and the sanctity of human existence.
A group critical of DeSantis responded to the gathering by denouncing the utilization of state resources for the political message against Amendment 4. Anders Croy, a spokesman for DeSantis Watch, stated, “DeSantis has weaponized state resources against constituents by orchestrating a taxpayer-funded press conference aligning with his political campaign opposing Amendment 4, thereby attempting to silence the voices of those affected by Florida’s stringent abortion law.”