DeSantis Delivers His Closing Message: "Show Up November 3," Vote Republican Down the Ballot and Yes on Amendment 3
In a video statement put out by the Republican Party of Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis urged Republicans to vote on Election Day itself, back Republicans up and down the ballot and approve the property-tax amendment. The term-limited governor's own legacy is on the line in a state that has not elected a Democratic governor since 1994, with Rep. Byron Donalds hoping to succeed him.
Gov. Ron DeSantis delivered a closing message to Florida Republicans ahead of Election Day in a video statement put out by the Republican Party of Florida, The Floridian reports. "We've done so much in the great state of Florida. We've led the nation on so many things. We got to keep that momentum going," DeSantis said, as reported. "I'm asking you to vote for Republicans up and down the ballot." The party's own post carrying the message on Monday put it in capital letters: "SHOW UP November 3!" — an Election Day turnout pitch aimed at a party whose voters have traditionally preferred voting on the day itself.
The governor tied the turnout ask to the ballot's biggest tax question. "Vote yes on Amendment Three to lower your property taxes, do not give the Democrats an inch," DeSantis said, as reported. "They get an inch, they'll take a mile. We don't want to end up like California. We don't want to end up like Illinois." Amendment 3 would increase the homestead exemption for non-school property taxes to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028, and it requires 60 percent approval to pass — a threshold recent polling cited in the reporting suggests the measure may be short of, which is part of why the closing push matters.
DeSantis is term-limited and cannot seek a third consecutive term, so Tuesday also judges his legacy. Florida has not elected a Democratic governor since Lawton Chiles in 1994, and Republicans have held the office for four consecutive terms since 1999. U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds is hoping to make it five in a row against Democratic challenger David Jolly; Donalds would become the state's first Black governor in its 181-year history. Other Republicans on the statewide ticket include Sen. Ashley Moody, Attorney General James Uthmeier, Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia and Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson. "We've got to keep the momentum going. Please vote Republican on Tuesday," DeSantis concluded, as reported.
