DeSantis Urges Florida Republicans to Back Donalds and Amendment 3

DeSantis, who is nearing the end of his time as governor, called on Florida Republicans to vote on November 3 and support the party’s candidates. In a video shared by the Florida GOP, he said Republicans should not give Democrats “an inch” and argued that Florida should maintain its current direction rather than follow California or Illinois.

He singled out Republican gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds and urged voters to approve Amendment 3. The proposal would raise the homestead exemption for non-school property taxes from about $50,000 to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028.

DeSantis said Florida property-tax revenues had risen nearly 100 percent across its 67 counties in seven years. He argued that local governments could reduce spending, as the state had, and described the amendment as a step toward eliminating property taxes on homesteaded homes.

The governor’s race pits Donalds against Democrat David Jolly. In the Senate contest, incumbent Republican Ashley Moody faces Democrat Angie Nixon.

About 3.3 million Floridians had voted early, according to the state Division of Elections: nearly 1.5 million Republicans and 1.2 million Democrats. Democrats had a narrow edge among voters who cast ballots by mail.

DeSantis Uses Midterm Push to Rally Republicans Behind Tax Amendment

With Florida’s midterm vote set for November 3, DeSantis is using his campaign message to rally Republicans behind gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds and a proposal to cut some homeowners’ property-tax bills. His appeal to deny Democrats “an inch” frames the election as a fight over the state’s political direction.

Amendment 3 would increase the homestead exemption for non-school property taxes from about $50,000 to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028. DeSantis says property-tax revenue across Florida’s 67 counties has nearly doubled in seven years and argues local governments can rein in spending. He presents the measure as immediate relief and a path toward eliminating property taxes on homesteaded homes.

The races include Donalds against Democrat David Jolly for governor and Republican Sen. Ashley Moody against Democrat Angie Nixon for the Senate. DeSantis’s call to vote Republican up and down the ballot makes clear he wants the tax proposal and his party’s candidates to advance together.

About 3.3 million people had voted early, including nearly 1.5 million Republicans and 1.2 million Democrats. Democrats held a narrow advantage among mail voters.

DeSantis Warns Florida Against Democratic Shift as Election Nears

DeSantis is making a blunt case to Florida Republicans ahead of the November 3 midterms: keep the state on its current course and do not hand Democrats ground. In a video shared by the Florida GOP, he urged voters to support Republicans across the ballot and specifically backed gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds.

He also pressed for Amendment 3, which would raise the homestead exemption for non-school property taxes from about $50,000 to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028. DeSantis points to property-tax revenues that he says have nearly doubled across Florida’s 67 counties in seven years, and argues local governments can reduce spending. He says the measure would provide relief and create a path to eliminating property taxes on homesteaded homes.

The governor’s race is between Donalds and Democrat David Jolly. In the Senate contest, Republican incumbent Ashley Moody faces Democrat Angie Nixon. DeSantis warned voters against what he described as the risk of Florida following California and Illinois, making the state’s direction central to his appeal.

Early voting had reached about 3.3 million people, with nearly 1.5 million Republicans and 1.2 million Democrats. Democrats had a slight lead among ballots cast by mail.