Monday, October 19, 2026

Sunburn — The morning read of what’s hot in Florida politics — 10.19.26 — Burnin’ today: Early Voting, Trump, Salazar & Rodriguez, Donalds & Jolly, Uthmeier, AI, Rockwell & Boo Bash



The morning scorecard of what's up (or down) in Florida Politics. ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

Good Monday morning.

To commemorate the opening of Early Voting across the state this week, the Florida House Republican Campaign Committee honored Norman Rockwell’s 1944 “America at the Polls” with an updated version for Florida’s 2026 General Election.

Norman Rockwell’s 'America at the Polls' gets a Florida election-season encore. Image via Saturday Evening Post.

Norman Rockwell’s 'America at the Polls' gets a Florida election-season encore. Image via Saturday Evening Post.

___

Sunday’s Brunch, our pop-up newsletter about the 2026 Election Cycle and more, posted a 40% open rate, one of the highest for any Florida Politics newsletter this year. Thank you for reading.

Next Sunday’s edition comes out Oct. 25, nine days before Election Day and the first Sunday of early voting. Campaigns, send us your plan for that day: where the candidate will be, what events are on the calendar, and who is out knocking doors.

Consultants, that includes the races you are running for clients.

Email peter@floridapolitics.com by Friday afternoon.

___

The Republican Party of Florida is greeting the start of early voting with a new digital ad that turns David Jolly’s own words about Gov. Ron DeSantis against him.

The spot, “David Jolly Would Undo What Ron DeSantis Built,” is cut from Jolly’s years of cable news commentary: “I don’t think Ron DeSantis is the smartest person in the state,” “a uniquely unlikable person on the campaign trail,” and “Ron DeSantis actually lies about his COVID record.” He also said, “I don’t support Ron DeSantis, and I do think Ron DeSantis’ agenda is dangerous,” and accused the Governor of being “determined to run for the White House to represent white America.”

The party will run the ad statewide to Republican voters, pairing it with a push to vote early.

“Ron DeSantis turned Florida into the free state of America. He stood up to (Dr. Anthony) Fauci, kept Florida open, cut taxes, and fixed our schools and universities, and families from across the country moved here because of it,” RPOF Chair Evan Power said. “David Jolly has spent years attacking every bit of that record on cable news, and now he wants the keys to the Governor’s Mansion so he can undo it. Florida Republicans know what’s at stake. Early voting starts today, and we will turn out to keep Florida free by electing Byron Donalds.”

To watch the ad, please click the image below:

David Jolly’s past criticism of Ron DeSantis becomes ammunition in a new Republican Party of Florida ad.

David Jolly’s past criticism of Ron DeSantis becomes ammunition in a new Republican Party of Florida ad.

  Situational awareness  

—@Pontifex: I would like to thank all those who have prayed for me in recent days. I wish to express my particular gratitude to the doctors, nurses and all the staff of the Gemelli Hospital. This experience has made me feel particularly close to all those who are living with illness or infirmity. Now that I have overcome this delicate phase, I will gradually resume my activities, always with God’s help and your prayers.

Tweet, tweet:

Tweet Bernie Sanders

Tweet, tweet:

Tweet Kingston booke

—@AshleyMoodyFL: My opponent, a socialist, runs a bookstore called Cafe Resistance, quotes the communist manifesto, and celebrates those that attack police. What you see in France, communists taking to the streets, burning buildings to the ground, and attacking the police, starts like this.

Tweet, tweet:

Tweet Jenkins

—@ESPNInsights: Miami will play a game as the No. 1 team for the first time since first time 2003 BCS National Championship Game. 🙌 This is the first time there has been three different No. 1 teams in a three-week span of a single season since Nov. 2012.

  Days until  

'Six Kings Slam' on Netflix — 2; Florida TaxWatch Fiscal Accountability Leadership Summit begins — 2; FEC Pre-General Report due — 3; General Election ballot request deadline — 3; Mandatory General early voting begins — 5; Meta’s new political and issue ad freeze begins — 8; General Election — 15; ‘Godzilla Minus Zero’ premieres — 18; ‘Wild Horse Nine’ premieres — 18; Florida Automated Vehicles Summit — 23; 'Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol' starring Johnny Depp premieres — 25; 'Paper Tiger' starring Adam Driver premieres — 25; Joe Biden’s memoir, ‘Promise Me, America’ is released — 29; New legislator training sessions — 29; Senate convenes for general organization and selection of officers — 29; ‘Madden’ premieres — 30; ‘The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping’ premieres — 32; 'Blade Runner 2099' premieres on Prime Video — 37; ‘The Further Mis-Adventures of Cliff Booth,’ with Brad Pitt, directed by David Fincher and written by Quentin Tarantino, premieres in IMAX — 37; Committee Week #1 — 42; ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ premieres — 60; ‘Dune: Part 3,’ directed by Denis Villeneuve, premieres — 60; Committee Week #2 — 77; Committee Week #3 — 84; 'Ahsoka' season 2 premieres — 93; College Football Playoff national championship game in Las Vegas — 98; Committee Week #4 — 105; The 2027 Florida State Fair begins — 108; 'Remain,' directed by M. Night Shyamalan, premieres — 109; Grammys — 111; Committee Week #5 — 112; Super Bowl LXI — 118; Committee Week #6 — 119; Opening day of the 2027 Regular Legislative Session — 134; Tampa Mayoral Election — 134; ‘The Thomas Crown Affair,’ directed by and starring Michael B. Jordan premieres — 137; Jacksonville First Election — 141; Oscars — 146; Miami Marlins Opening Day/Home Opener — vs. New York Mets — 157; Tampa Bay Rays Opening Day/Home Opener — vs. Baltimore Orioles — 157; Democratic Mayors Association 2027 annual summit in Miami begins — 177; Jacksonville General Election — 211; 'Star Wars: Starfighter' premieres — 221; ‘Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse’ premieres — 242; Citrus Series — Tampa Bay Rays at Miami Marlins — 270; 'The Bluey Movie' premieres — 291; Citrus Series — Miami Marlins at Tampa Bay Rays — 326; ‘Avengers: Secret Wars’ premieres — 424; 2028 South Carolina Democratic Presidential Primary — 460; College Football Playoff national championship game in New Orleans — 462; 2028 Nevada Presidential Primary — 470; 2028 New Hampshire Democratic Presidential Primary — 477; 2028 New Mexico Democratic Presidential Primary — 484; ‘The Batman Part II’ premieres — 487; 2028 Michigan Democratic Presidential Primary — 491; 2028 Virginia Democratic Presidential Primary — 498; Oscars — 503; 'X-Men' premieres — 564; ‘Miami Vice '85’ reboot premieres — 578; ‘Lilo & Stitch 2’ premieres — 585; 'Days of Thunder' sequel with Tom Cruise and Anne Hathaway premieres — 592; ‘Incredibles 3’ premieres — 606; 2028 Los Angeles Olympics Opening Ceremony — 634; 'Ghost Rider' premieres — 648; 2028 U.S. Presidential Election — 750; ‘Black Panther 3’ directed by Ryan Coogler premieres — 788; College Football Playoff national championship game in Tampa — 826; ‘Avatar 4’ premieres — 1,159; ‘Avatar 5’ premieres — 1,887.

  Top story  

“How Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown gave Florida Democrats a chance” via Daniel Castro of The New Yorker — President Trump’s immigration crackdown is reshaping Miami’s political landscape, creating an opening for Democrats in Florida’s 27th Congressional District. Democratic challenger Eliott Rodriguez, a former television news anchor, is challenging Republican U.S. Rep. María Elvira Salazar in a majority-Hispanic District Trump carried in 2024. Deportations, economic pressures and growing dissatisfaction among Latino voters have complicated Salazar’s re-election campaign.

David Jolly’s past criticism of Ron DeSantis becomes ammunition in a new Republican Party of Florida ad.

Eliott Rodriguez challenges María Elvira Salazar amid shifting attitudes toward immigration enforcement in Miami.

Salazar initially embraced Trump’s immigration agenda, defending detention conditions at Alligator Alcatraz and avoiding criticism of decisions ending Temporary Protected Status for several immigrant communities. More recently, she released an advertisement warning Trump that immigration enforcement had gone too far, acknowledging concerns among Latino supporters.

The shift drew criticism from Trump, who amplified online attacks against Salazar. Rodriguez, meanwhile, reported increased fundraising interest as national political forecasters moved the District into a more competitive category.

Rodriguez is concentrating on independent voters, who account for approximately 30% of District registrations. His campaign emphasizes affordability, immigration enforcement and personal connections developed during decades covering Miami news.

Immigration activist Arianne Betancourt confronted Salazar over her father’s detention at Alligator Alcatraz. Betancourt disputed the assistance Salazar’s office provided, while the Congresswoman’s staff maintained it had offered help and resolved numerous immigration cases.

Despite Democratic enthusiasm, Republicans retain substantial organizational and registration advantages. Latino voters remain divided over immigration, economic policy and cultural issues. The contest illustrates how dissatisfaction with enforcement policies could influence voters without necessarily changing long-standing partisan loyalties.

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19 de octubre Cápsula de oración


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October 19 Prayer Pod

Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. – NIV

We all want to pray but sometimes we find it difficult to begin our prayer.  Many Pastors and Ministers suggest you begin your prayer by praying back God’s words from Scripture.

These daily prayer PODs are constructed to help you in your prayer life.

October 19 
Pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name, Your Kingdom  come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Lord hear Your words: Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. 

Lord hear my request: (Say your needs, wants, fears, thanksgivings) -  In Jesus name I pray – Amen. 

READ THE NEW TESTAMENT IN A YEAR….
Today’s Reading for: October 19 Hebrews 3:1-19

To learn more about accepting 
Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior click here:
SALVATION CONNECTION

 

  



 
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Sunday, October 18, 2026

18 de octubre Cápsula de oración




http://dlvr.it/TVyR5y

October 18 Prayer Pod

Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. – NIV

We all want to pray but sometimes we find it difficult to begin our prayer.  Many Pastors and Ministers suggest you begin your prayer by praying back God’s words from Scripture.

These daily prayer PODs are constructed to help you in your prayer life.

October 18 
Pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name, Your Kingdom  come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Lord hear Your words: Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us. 

Lord hear my request: (Say your needs, wants, fears, thanksgivings) -  In Jesus name I pray – Amen. 

READ THE NEW TESTAMENT IN A YEAR….
Today’s Reading for: October 18 Hebrews 2:1-18

To learn more about accepting 
Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior click here:
SALVATION CONNECTION

 

  




 

PLEASE SHARE TO YOUR FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM  

Saturday, October 17, 2026

Takeaways from Tallahassee — There’s No Place Like the Hill

AMU Homecoming brings the magic to Tallahassee ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

From: Extensive Media Enterprises

The best party in town.

This Oct. 18-25, Florida A&M University (FAMU) Homecoming is back with the theme “There’s No Place Like the Hill,” drawing inspiration and spirit from the beloved Oscar-nominated film “The Wiz” — itself a reimagining of the classic “The Wizard of Oz” — and putting Rattler culture center stage.

FAMU Homecoming is a nationally revered celebration for students, alumni, and the Tallahassee community alike to come together once again and “ease on down the road.” There’s nothing quite like the FAMUly getting together for an event shaped by creativity, pride and love for that Green and Orange.

“Stepping into this role, I knew all eyes were on me, especially for homecoming,” said Caitlin Smith, Student Government Association vice president and Homecoming Committee Chair.

“We wanted to create a week that brings generations of Rattlers together and gives everyone a reason to reconnect with the place we call home. From the traditions we cherish to the new memories we’ll make, we wanted that FAMU pride to shine through every event. I truly hope that people see the hard work, commitment and true spirit throughout the week that I, along with my committee, created because, in the end, we want everyone to remember there’s truly no place like The Hill.”

The week’s activities kick off with the Coronation & Ball honoring Mister and Miss FAMU at 5:30 p.m. in Gaither Gym.

Head to the Quad for Market Monday or the “Taste of a Rattler: SGA Crab Boil” on Tuesday at 12 p.m. at the Will Packer Amphitheater, followed by the Fashion & Art Show at 7 p.m. in the Lawson Center.

All Roads Lead Home for FAMU Homecoming 2026, ‘There’s No Place Like the Hill.’ Image via FAMU.

The week continues with a pep rally, the Walmart 5K Run/Walk, Homecoming Convocation, FAMFest Homecoming, and the NPHC Step Show.

“Each year, thousands of Rattlers return to the Hill, bringing generations of memories, traditions, and an unwavering love for Florida A&M University. Homecoming is our opportunity to reconnect, celebrate our accomplishments, and strengthen our collective commitment to the future of this great institution. No matter where life takes us, the Hill will always be home. Together, we are moving FAMU forward, and together, we are FAMU forever,” said Brandi Tatum-Fedrick, the Senior Vice President for University Advancement, Strategic Partnerships and Innovation.

But for many, the crown jewel is the Homecoming Concert at 7 p.m. in the Lawson Center on Thursday. This year’s lineup includes Belly Gang Kushington, Grammy winner T.I., and Grammy nominees Summer Walker and Gunna — major star power and radio airplay with those four.

Saturday starts with the Homecoming Parade at 8 a.m. along a campus-wide route, followed by the Strike Zone Tailgate at 11 a.m. on Gibbs Lawn and the Rattler Walk at 12:40 p.m. at the Village Breezeway. Then it’s gridiron time as FAMU faces the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff at Bragg Memorial Stadium at 3 p.m.

Stick around for Sunday, though: FAMU volleyball plays Alcorn State at noon in the Lawson Center, and then you can be taken to church for a Gospel Concert at 4:30 p.m. in Lee Hall Auditorium.

Eight fun days of Rattlers from different generations calling The Hill home once again.

___

Coming up, the usual assortment of news, intel, and observations from the week that was in Florida's capital city by Peter Schorsch, Drew Wilson, Drew Dixon, Liam Fineout and the staff of Florida Politics.

But first, the "Takeaway 5" — the Top 5 stories from the week that was:

  Take 5  

POTUS comes to town — President Donald Trump will rally voters in his home state ahead of the Midterm Elections. The Commander-in-Chief will hold an event in Fort Myers on Oct. 23. A venue will be announced later, and tickets will be available online through the Republican National Committee. Doors will open for the rally at 10:30 a.m., with programming beginning around 12:30 p.m. Trump is expected to take the stage and address the crowd at 2 p.m. In Florida, Trump’s official state of residency, several competitive federal races are on the ballot this year. That includes a U.S. Senate race, where Republican U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody faces Democratic challenger Angie Nixon, as well as a nationally watched race for Governor between Republican U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds and Democrat David Jolly, a former Congressman. Polls show both races within the margin of error despite Republicans holding a large voter registration edge.

Meh — Yet another statewide poll shows unpromising numbers for a measure on the Nov. 3 ballot that would significantly hike homestead exemptions on property taxes, to the detriment of local government budgets. New survey figures from South Florida-based consulting firms EDGE Communications and MDW Communications show support for Amendment 3 at 50% — 10 percentage points shy of what it needs to pass. Twenty-seven percent of voters oppose the proposal, and 23% are undecided with less than three weeks until Election Day. EDGE and MDW’s findings on Amendment 3 agree with polling released this week by Associated Industries of Florida, which showed support at 53% among voters who read the measure’s full language.

RIP — Hurricane Isaias is blamed for six deaths in Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis said during a storm update. “We’re sad to say that,” DeSantis said, describing four new deaths: two people killed in a car crash at an intersection where the traffic signal wasn’t working and two who died after “disruptions to some of their medical treatment.” Officials previously disclosed two deaths in Escambia County: a woman killed when a tree fell on her home and a man who died after a generator ran inside his garage. DeSantis said the death toll has been higher in past storms and credited local officials for sounding the alarm for people to take the hurricane seriously. “I think people did take precautions and I think the local officials did a really good job of helping spread the word,” he said.

Whoops — When Lake County sent out vote-by-mail ballots in Florida’s 6th Congressional District, one qualified candidate’s name was missing from the ballot. Voters who received incomplete ballots are getting postcards explaining the mishap. “You are receiving this notice because the name of one of the candidates for Congressional District 6 was omitted from the ballot you previously received. The ballot you received should have included the name, Andrew Parrott (LPF). We apologize for this omission!” each card reads. Election officials then explain that anyone who wants to support Libertarian Andrew Parrott and vote by mail must request a new ballot from the Lake County Supervisor of Elections Office. They can provide it in person at the offices or mail it to voters' homes.

Poopy water — Future toilet flushes in Florida won’t just clear the commode. They also could cool data centers, if Republican gubernatorial candidate Donalds has anything to say about it. During an event at a Christian school in Pinellas County, Donalds suggested data centers use reclaimed water instead of fresh water. “I’ve been talking with Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson. He’s been saying, well, if they do get built, why don’t we require them to use reclaimed water from the water treatment plants? That makes sense. Let them use the poopy water. Because we’re not doing anything with the poopy water anyway. So let them use it to cool servers,” Donalds said. Reclaimed water is already used industrially, so this isn’t an expansion of purpose. Donalds has been the more data-center-friendly candidate this cycle, a position Jolly, his Democratic opponent, has exploited.

  We clean up nice  

♫♫ “Don’t you forget about me.” ♫♫

On Oct. 14, DeSantis announced that a $1 million investment through VISIT FLORIDA will soon support tourism recovery efforts in Northwest Florida following Hurricane Isaias. The funding will go to the Northwest Florida Tourism Council to resume its Northwest Florida Beaches marketing campaign, which has helped increase visitation and support local businesses throughout the Panhandle.

“Today, I was proud to announce that VISIT FLORIDA is awarding $1 million to the Northwest Florida Tourism Council to resume their successful marketing campaign following Hurricane Isaias,” DeSantis said.

“This investment comes from a dedicated disaster recovery budget that is set aside to help Florida’s tourism industry. The returns are proven to be great: For every dollar invested in this strategic tourism marketing effort in 2024-25, Northwest Florida generated $58.95 in total economic impact.”

The recovery campaign builds on a partnership between VISIT FLORIDA and the Northwest Florida Tourism Council, which represents eight Gulf Coast counties.

Recently, a similar marketing initiative, funded in part by Triumph Gulf Coast, Inc., generated more than 2 million additional visitors between 2024 and 2025, contributed $327 million in additional visitor spending, and supported nearly 3,000 jobs.

Ron DeSantis is directing $1 million in tourism cash to Northwest Florida.

“When a community is ready to welcome visitors again after a storm, good marketing is essential. Our partnership with the Northwest Florida Tourism Council has built an effective Panhandle-focused campaign, and VISIT FLORIDA is stepping in to keep that work funded so Northwest Florida can recover quickly,” said Bryan Griffin, President and CEO of VISIT FLORIDA.

The $1 million will help fund the Northwest Florida Beaches brand campaign, highlighting the region's beaches, outdoor recreation and unique visitor experiences. This year's campaign will emphasize Fall and Winter drive-market travel and further support the most affected counties.

"On behalf of the Northwest Florida Tourism Council and the eight counties we proudly represent, I extend our heartfelt gratitude to Gov. DeSantis and VISIT FLORIDA for their support following Hurricane Isaias. As our communities come together, we are confident in our ability to emerge stronger than ever, and look forward to welcoming visitors to experience the unforgettable adventures that make our region so unique,” added Matt Algarin, Tourism Director for Walton County and Northwest Florida Tourism Council Chair.

  1492  

Gov. DeSantis unveiled a statue of Christopher Columbus in Naples on Thursday, adding the explorer to Florida’s America250 commemoration ahead of the nation’s 250th anniversary.

DeSantis used the ceremony to deliver an unqualified defense of Columbus, whose legacy has become a recurring flashpoint in disputes over how the United States commemorates European exploration and colonization.

“In the Free State of Florida, Christopher Columbus is a hero. End of story,” DeSantis said.

The Genoese explorer in all his glory.

The Governor’s Office said the statue recognizes Columbus’ role in opening an era of Atlantic voyages that preceded Spanish exploration and settlement of Florida. Michele Mistò, Italy’s consul general in Miami, participated in the unveiling and connected the monument to Italian-American Heritage Month and the Italian community’s contributions to Florida.

The release pointed to Naples’ shared name with the Italian city as one reason the Southwest Florida community was a fitting home for the monument.

The statue is the latest piece of DeSantis’ America250 initiative. In February 2025, he announced plans to install statues of the Founding Fathers. The initiative has since expanded to include Frederick Douglass, Abraham Lincoln, Calvin Coolidge, Ronald Reagan, Andrew Jackson and Lady Columbia.

 

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