'Do Not Give the Democrats an Inch': DeSantis Delivers His Closing Message — Republicans Down the Ballot, and Yes on Amendment 3
The term-limited governor's legacy rides on Tuesday too. In a closing video for the Republican Party of Florida, Ron DeSantis asked his party to show up, back the whole ticket and pass the property-tax amendment.
Governor Ron DeSantis has delivered his closing message of the 2026 midterms, in a video statement put out by the Republican Party of Florida. '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. 'I'm asking you to vote for Republicans up and down the ballot.'
The governor put the property-tax amendment at the center of the ask. 'Vote yes on Amendment Three to lower your property taxes, do not give the Democrats an inch,' he said. '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.' The amendment would raise the homestead exemption for non-school property taxes to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028, and it needs 60 percent approval to pass.
DeSantis is term-limited and cannot seek a third consecutive term, which puts his legacy on the line alongside the candidates. Florida has not elected a Democratic governor since Lawton Chiles in 1994 and has had four consecutive Republican governors since 1999. U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds is hoping to make it five in a row against Democrat David Jolly — and would become the state's first Black governor in its 181-year history.
'We've got to keep the momentum going. Please vote Republican on Tuesday,' DeSantis added. The rest of the Republican ticket he is asking voters to carry includes Sen. Ashley Moody, Attorney General James Uthmeier, Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia and Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson in their respective races. Polls open statewide at 7 a.m. Tuesday.
