Florida GOP withdraws lawsuit over Hope Florida ad. 'Our letters and lawsuit have... served their purpose," the state GOP said. USA TODAY NETWORK - Florida Oct. 21, 2026, 6:49 p.m. ET * The Republican Party of Florida withdrew a lawsuit demanding TV stations pull a political ad from Florida Democrats. * Republicans claimed victory as the ad was no longer airing, while Democrats stated the ad's run was already scheduled to end. * The ad in question focused on a leaked and later expunged grand jury report concerning the Hope Florida initiative. Days after filing a lawsuit demanding TV stations take down a Hope Florida-related television ad by Florida Democrats, the Republican Party of Florida withdrew its case Oct. 21, declaring "victory" now that the ad isn't airing anymore. But a Florida Democratic Party spokesperson said the political advertisement wasn't pulled because of the lawsuit, but because it was already planned to stop running by Oct. 20. The withdrawal comes after Republican officials condemned news media for reporting on a leaked grand jury report in August, later ordered "expunged" by a state appellate court in October. The report's findings alleged "political scheming" and "misappropriated" millions by the DeSantis administration, but the 1st District Court of Appeal said, among other things, that the allegations were unsupported by the evidence. Gov. Ron DeSantis then called for the prosecution of those responsible for leaking the grand jury report. On Oct. 21, more court documents in the 1st District became public, which show Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier asking the court on Oct. 16 to block the "illegal broadcast" before the state party's lawsuit, but the court denied him that same day. That means the state party's circuit court action, also filed Oct. 16, came after a higher state court already shut the matter down. Lawsuit's filing raised concerns over First Amendment freedoms. The complaint against TV stations and the Florida Democrats, including three candidates on the top of the midterm ballot, was widely characterized as an threat to free speech. First Amendment experts and Florida attorneys expressed concerns with the legal efforts taken by state Republicans to take down the ad, calling it a potential violation of press freedom weeks before a general election. Starting Oct. 21, the Florida Democratic Party also launched a new digital ad relating to Hope Florida, except this time it focuses on GOP U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody, previously the state's attorney general, for playing a role in redirecting the funds. In a statement, Florida Democratic Party chair Nikki Fried said these legal efforts were intended to "silence us" and "scare Floridians out of talking about Hope Florida." Because of the lawsuit, she added, "more Floridians are paying attention, and the pressure for answers keeps mounting." Stephany Matat's role covering First Amendment issues at the USA TODAY Network - Florida is made possible by a collaboration among Freedom Forum, Journalism Funding Partners and the USA TODAY Network. Freedom Forum does not provide editorial input. Reach Matat at [email protected] and @StephanyMatat on X. Deal of the Day Recommendations are independently chosen by our editors. Purchases you make through our links may earn us a commission.

Florida GOP withdraws lawsuit over Hope Florida ad. 'Its letters and lawsuit have... served their purpose," the state GOP said. USA TODAY NETWORK - Florida Oct. 21, 2026, 6:49 p.m. ET * The Republican Party of Florida withdrew a lawsuit demanding TV stations pull a political ad from Florida Democrats. * Republicans claimed victory as the ad was no longer airing, while Democrats stated the ad's run was already scheduled to end. * The ad in question focused on a leaked and later expunged grand jury report concerning the Hope Florida initiative. Days after filing a lawsuit demanding TV stations take down a Hope Florida-related television ad by Florida Democrats, the Republican Party of Florida withdrew its case Oct. 21, declaring "victory" now that the ad isn't airing anymore. But a Florida Democratic Party spokesperson said the political advertisement wasn't pulled because of the lawsuit, but because it was already planned to stop running by Oct. 20. The withdrawal comes after Republican officials condemned news media for reporting on a leaked grand jury report in August, later ordered "expunged" by a state appellate court in October. The report's findings alleged "political scheming" and "misappropriated" millions by the DeSantis administration, but the 1st District Court of Appeal said, among other things, that the allegations were unsupported by the evidence. Gov. Ron DeSantis then called for the prosecution of those responsible for leaking the grand jury report. On Oct. 21, more court documents in the 1st District became public, which show Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier asking the court on Oct. 16 to block the "illegal broadcast" before the state party's lawsuit, but the court denied him that same day. That means the state party's circuit court action, also filed Oct. 16, came after a higher state court already shut the matter down. Lawsuit's filing raised concerns over First Amendment freedoms. The complaint against TV stations and the Florida Democrats, including three candidates on the top of the midterm ballot, was widely characterized as an threat to free speech. First Amendment experts and Florida attorneys expressed concerns with the legal efforts taken by state Republicans to take down the ad, calling it a potential violation of press freedom weeks before a general election. Starting Oct. 21, the Florida Democratic Party also launched a new digital ad relating to Hope Florida, except this time it focuses on GOP U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody, previously the state's attorney general, for playing a role in redirecting the funds. In a statement, Florida Democratic Party chair Nikki Fried said these legal efforts were intended to "silence us" and "scare Floridians out of talking about Hope Florida." Because of the lawsuit, she added, "more Floridians are paying attention, and the pressure for answers keeps mounting." Stephany Matat's role covering First Amendment issues at the USA TODAY Network - Florida is made possible by a collaboration among Freedom Forum, Journalism Funding Partners and the USA TODAY Network. Freedom Forum does not provide editorial input. Reach Matat at [email protected] and @StephanyMatat on X.

FDP names marie Woodson to Haitian outreach role. By Florida Sun staff. 440 2 minutes read Leadership Blue announcement expands Florida Democratic Party's outreach to Haitian American voters. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - The Florida Democratic Party announced during Leadership Blue that State Rep. Marie Woodson (D-101) has been appointed Vice Chair for Haitian American Voter Engagement, a new leadership role focused on strengthening relationships with Haitian American communities and expanding civic participation across Florida. Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried said Woodson's background in public service and longstanding ties to the Haitian American community make her well suited for the position. "Representative Woodson has spent her career serving others with integrity, compassion, and purpose," Fried said in a statement. "Her leadership, deep roots in the Haitian American community, and unwavering commitment to public service make her exceptionally well suited to help lead this important work across Florida." Party leaders said the appointment also honors the legacy of Nancy Metayer, the late vice chair whose work helped shape the party's engagement with Haitian American voters. Executive Director Rachel Berger said Woodson will build upon the foundation Metayer established. "As the first Haitian American elected to the Florida Legislature from Broward County, Representative Woodson embodies the values of advocacy, resilience, and community," Berger said. "We are confident her leadership will strengthen our engagement with Haitian American voters." Woodson said she plans to continue the outreach work she has pursued throughout her public service career. "I'm honored by this appointment and ready to get to work," Woodson said. "I'm confident that together we will be able to reach and mobilize the more than 300,000 Haitian voters who call Florida home." A growing voting bloc. According to the Florida Democratic Party, more than 300,000 Haitian voters live in Florida, making the community one of the state's largest Caribbean voting blocs. South Florida - particularly Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach counties - is home to the largest concentration of Haitian Americans, though growing communities also live in Orange County and other parts of Central Florida. Political parties in Florida have increasingly expanded outreach to Haitian American voters, reflecting the community's growing influence in statewide and local elections. Similar engagement efforts targeting Caribbean and immigrant communities have also become more common in states such as New York, Massachusetts, and New Jersey, where Haitian American populations play an important role in civic life. Long career in public service. Woodson has spent more than three decades serving with Miami-Dade County, leading programs focused on early childhood education, senior services, and social services before her election to the Florida House in 2020. She made history as the first Haitian American elected to the Florida Legislature from Broward County and has sponsored legislation supporting seniors, veterans, children with special needs, homeless youth, and working families. The Florida Democratic Party said Woodson will lead efforts to engage, empower, and increase participation among Haitian American Democrats statewide. Loading... Digital Editor at The Florida Sun + CEO of Creative Street Marketing & Public Relations Group November 19, 2025 2 weeks ago 3 weeks ago May 26, 2026 April 22, 2026 April 9, 2026 March 31, 2026 March 28, 2026 March 27, 2026 March 23, 2026 November 19, 2025 2 weeks ago March 28, 2026 Hundreds gather in downtown orlando for "no kings" Rally. March 27, 2026 Ethics panel findings put Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick's seat at risk. March 23, 2026 Ya ya alert bill dies in senate committee, advocates plan to reintroduce school safety measure next year. November 19, 2025 Congressman maxwell frost appointed to critical transportation & infrastructure subcommittees. 2 weeks ago Florida Democrats target uthmeier after herald report. 3 weeks ago The lie that built the chains. May 26, 2026 Jolly pledges to restore civil rights protections. April 22, 2026 DeSantis signs law ending local DEI programs across Florida. April 9, 2026 Orange County mayor jerry demings visits Democratic club of solivita in gubernatorial bid. March 31, 2026 DeSantis signs law to rename Palm Beach airport after trump; no Democrats supported bill. March 28, 2026 March 27, 2026 March 23, 2026 November 19, 2025 2 weeks ago 3 weeks ago May 26, 2026 April 22, 2026 March 23, 2020 Check Also