Chris Dawson, Attorney, GrayRobinson
Floridians flocked to the polls in November’s highly anticipated general election with an estimated 79 percent turnout statewide. President Trump’s commanding comeback re-election to secure a second term as U.S. President dominated headlines but many key races and issues of statewide impact were also decided by Florida voters. As we close out 2024, let’s recap the key state issues determined in the election that will shape state policy and politics for the next two years.
Florida Democrats’ efforts to dig out of relative political irrelevance in Tallahassee fell far short of hopes and expectations, failing to net five seats in the Florida House of Representatives to break the Republican supermajority. Over in the Florida Senate, Republicans also returned a supermajority for the next two years. In the highly anticipated Senate District 3 race, incumbent Republican Senator Corey Simon (R – Tallahassee) beat challenger Daryl Parks by 11 percentage points in the most closely-watched legislative race of the cycle. Democratic woes included upsets of Rep. Tom Keen (D – 35) by Republican challenger and former Osceola School Board Member Erica Booth as well as an upset of incumbent Rep. Katherine Waldron (D – 94) by Republican challenger Meg Weinberger.
Four of the six state constitutional amendments on the November ballot fell short of the 60 percent voter approval threshold for passage. Among the casualties were two controversial, nine-figure expenditure initiatives focused on recreational marijuana and abortion access. Governor Ron DeSantis pegged his political legacy on defeating both measures – despite President Trump’s support of recreational marijuana – along with significant investment from the Republican Party of Florida. Returns for each amendment broke down as follows:
■ Amendment 1: Partisan Election of School Board Members – FAILED 54.9% to 45.1%
■ Amendment 2: Right to Fish and Hunt – PASSED 67.35% to 32.65%
■ Amendment 3: Adult Use of Personal Marijuana – FAILED 55.89% to 44.11%
■ Amendment 4: Limit Government Interference with Abortion – FAILED 57.15% to 42.85%
■ Amendment 5: Adjustments to Value Homestead Exemptions – PASSED 66.02% to 33.98%
■ Amendment 6: Repeal Public Campaign Financing Requirement – FAILED 50.39% to 49.61%
The Legislature will have an opportunity to enact enabling legislation for Amendments 2 and 5 during the 2025 Regular Session.
Florida’s “Junior” Senator Rick Scott (R – FL) was the big man on campus come election night, cruising to re-election with the largest electorate advantage of his political career. He bested former U.S. Representative Debbie Marcurasel-Powell by a stunning 12.8 points, a far cry from his previous razor thin victories, catapulting him back to the U.S. Senate and potentially the Majority Leader role. One can’t ignore FRSA’s endorsement of Senator Scott over the summer and must wonder whether the industry boost sent his re-election prospects soaring.
Chris Dawson is an Attorney and professional Lobbyist for GrayRobinson’s Orlando office and is licensed to practice law in both Florida and Alabama. He primarily focuses on lobbying and government relations for public and private sector clients at the executive and legislative levels of state government. He is credentialed as a Designated Professional Lobbyist by the Florida Association of Professional Lobbyists. Chris also holds two degrees in Civil Engineering and has experience in construction litigation and design professional malpractice defense.
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