JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The battle over abortion in Florida continues as Gov. Ron DeSantis faces criticism for holding press conferences where he encourages people to vote 'no' on Amendment 4.
On Monday, Gov. DeSantis was joined by doctors for a press conference in Miami advocating against Amendment 4. Then on Tuesday, he made two stops: one in Jacksonville and one in Winter Garden. Those appearances were also held with doctors advocating against the amendment.
“Once it’s in the constitution there really is no going back, practically speaking you won’t be able to fix any problems that will inevitability come out when you have these kinds of things," DeSantis said during a press conference on Oct. 22.
According to reporting by the Associated Press, DeSantis held these press conferences in his official capacity as governor, meaning state resources were used for planning and travel. First Coast News is still working to independently verify whether taxpayer money was used and how much was spent on these appearances. The governor's office has not responded to multiple requests over the last two days.
The use of state resources is being criticized by some groups, including Floridians Protecting Freedom, the amendment's sponsor, and the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida. Keisha Mulfort, the senior communications strategist for ACLU Florida, called the governor's actions dangerous.
"These politicians are not having to live day to day like some of us are, but it is dangerous that we are spending money against a process that's embedded in our constitution. So we say we're a state of law and order, what about this?" Mulfort said.
The latest polling data from the University of North Florida show 60% of respondents would vote 'yes' on the amendment. DeSantis has repeatedly expressed his disapproval of the amendment's language calling it vague and grotesque. Mulfort argues his claims are misleading.
"This is a political campaign. He is touring Florida two weeks after we have suffered devastation, and this campaign against amendments is undemocratic," Mulfort said.
While DeSantis has not announced whether any more of these press conferences will be held ahead of election day, Mulfort believes this is setting a bad precedent for future state leaders.
"The supporters of this amendment are not Democrats, they are women and men and Floridians who want the government out of women's health care, who are sick and tired of government interference. So what we are seeing is a precedent that anyone can come in after this leadership and just do whatever they want if they disagree with the vantage point," Mulfort explained.
First Coast News reached out to the Secretary of State's Office and the Attorney General's Office for clarification on whether a sitting governor can legally use state resources to advocate for or against a ballot measure. Neither office has responded.