(AmericanProsperity.com) – In a crushing blow to the liberal agenda, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis claimed victory as voters rejected constitutional amendments to legalize abortion and marijuana.
Florida voters decisively rejected two proposed amendments that would have legalized recreational marijuana and enshrined abortion rights in the state constitution.
Governor DeSantis announced the results: “With polls now closed in Florida — Amendment 3 has failed. Amendment 4 has failed.”
Both amendments fell short of the required 60% approval threshold, with the abortion measure receiving 57% support and the marijuana initiative securing nearly 56%.
This outcome represents a significant setback for liberal activists who poured millions into promoting these changes to Florida law.
Pro-life leaders celebrated the defeat of Amendment 4, which aimed to create a constitutional right to abortion up to fetal viability at around 21 weeks.
SBA Pro-Life America President Marjorie Dannenfelser praised DeSantis, stating, “The demise of pro-abortion Amendment 4 is a momentous victory for life in Florida and for our entire country.”
“Thanks to Gov. Ron DeSantis, when we wake up tomorrow, babies with beating hearts will still be protected in the free state of Florida,” she continued.
Furthermore, March for Life President Jeanne Mancini expressed that the organization “applauds the people of Florida for seeing through an onslaught of well-funded lies and rejecting the radical, destructive Amendment 4.”
She added:
“We are grateful to Governor DeSantis for remaining courageously steadfast in his support for the most vulnerable, including using his resources and platform to effectively combat the onslaught of disinformation from Amendment 4 backers whose massive spending advantage was not enough to get this deceptive and dangerous proposal across the finish line.”
The failure of Amendment 3 also marks a victory for those concerned about the negative impacts of drug legalization on communities and families.
DeSantis argued that legalizing marijuana could harm Florida’s tourism industry due to smell concerns.
Liberal groups and the marijuana industry poured massive funding into the initiatives. Abortion rights supporters raised over $110 million and major medical marijuana company Trulieve invested more than $140 million.
However, Florida voters stood firm and rejected these radical proposals, restating Florida’s status as a conservative stronghold.
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