Florida Supreme Court closer to abortion ruling, maybe deciding Ron DeSantis' political future
Florida Politics
The Florida Supreme Court is drawing nearer to deciding whether the Florida Constitution protects the right to abortion. If the justices conclude it does not, they could boost Gov. Ron DeSantis standing among Republican presidential Primary voters.
Or not. Political observers tend to agree that a ruling along those lines could alienate the Governor from the broader electorate should he make it to the 2024 general election. But even large numbers of Republicans think DeSantis went too far in signing Floridas ban on the procedure after six weeks gestation.
DeSantis seems to understand his dilemma. He hasnt been emphasizing abortion politics as he campaigns in early-contest states like Iowa, New Hampshire, and soon in South Carolina and Texas. The topic certainly appears to have spooked some potential financial supporters, according to news accounts including a Washington Post report.
Heres the evidence: In a University of North Florida poll released in March, 77% of the respondents opposed the six-week ban, including 62% of Republicans. And even in Floridas highly accommodating Republican-dominated Legislature, seven Republicans voted against SB 300, enacting the ban in the Florida House and two did the same in the state Senate.
Political analysts told the Phoenix earlier this year they see the same dynamic in presidential swing states.