A4 would make Florida a “tourist hot spot for abortions.”

TAMPA, Fla. – One of Florida’s most powerful political operatives is working hard to enforce the state’s six-week abortion restrictions.

Chief of Staff James Uthmeier said Wednesday that this year’s abortion ballot measure is too dangerous for Florida and is arguing against it. That’s how Amendment 4 supporters call his efforts “bull.”

Amendment 4 faces a high bar in this election. While similar measures have been successful in other states, Florida needs at least 60% support. That’s the most for any state looking to overturn a ban, causing a lot of anxiety on both sides of the issue.

In the final weeks before election night, so was Governor Ron DeSantis to travel the state with Florida doctors, who organized press conferences denouncing Amendment 4. The man behind the man, Uthmeier, explained why the government got involved.

“When it comes to defending Florida’s laws and Florida’s welfare, this is nothing new,” said Uthmeier, who is also an attorney. “Boards have fought for generations to defend state laws and oppose changes that we believe will harm our way of life.”

Typically averse to the spotlight, Uthmeier now joins a string of state officials who oppose Amendment 4, such as First Lady Casey DeSantis, Surgeon General Dr. Joe Ladapo, AHCA Secretary Jason Weida and others.

“It would invalidate any law that seeks to protect women and children in the context of abortion,” Uthmeier said.

Their argument boils down to Amendment 4 being too vague and therefore too dangerous, Florida lawmakers said. The amendment does not include definitions for viability or health exceptions as determined by a “health care provider.” It retains the parental notice, but says nothing about consent in its language.

“This would be no doctors, no limits on abortions at any time, for almost any reason,” Uthmeier said.

Supporters of Amendment 4 have withdrawn. The yes on four campaign and others have said the state code has the “missing” definitions. They also believe that consent remains protected. However, legal experts think it will likely take one or two lawsuits to sort everything out.

In addition, proponents of the amendments have another major problem: why are government officials involved in the first place?

Florida Health has sent letters to TV stations, including Scripps, threatening criminal action for running a Yes On Four ad that the state has deemed “false” and misleading.

“There are still lawsuits pending,” Uthmeier said. “The letters that were sent warned stations that unfair material is being distributed. The state health department has a duty to protect people from misinformation that could endanger women.”

Recently a federal judge ordered the letters to stop. Northern District Judge Mark Walker said in an order: “To put it simply for the state of Florida, it’s the First Amendment, dumbass.”

Florida Democratic Chairman Nikki Fried is one of the loudest voices supporting Amendment 4. In a conversation this week, she called state officials’ attempts to undermine the ballot initiative “bullsh*t and illegal.”

“I have never in my life, not only in politics but in my study of politics, seen such an overreach of government, such a use of public funds,” Fried said. “I think John Morgan said it best when he said they’re stealing our money.”

Fried believed Florida voters were frustrated with the state’s current abortion law and were ready for change. Even as the governor’s office uses its influence without a safety net.

“If the judges won’t do it, if the prosecutors won’t do it, if fellow Republicans won’t do it, if the Legislature won’t do it, then the people have to do it,” Fried said. “Be part of this coalition we are building. Restore real democracy here in our state, because if we stay home, you’re giving them the green light to keep doing this.”

Opinion polls for Amendment 4 are mixed. Some have shown it just above 60%, others below. Uthmeier, meanwhile, remained passionate about his mission.

“We’ve been working for the last six years to make Florida something of a beacon of hope for the rest of the country,” he said. “I don’t think people want us to become an abortion tourist attraction. And because this is written into the Constitution, it would be permanent. We would probably have to deal with this forever. So if we have a problem, we have to address it now.”