Florida AG Calls for End to Abortion as Governor’s Race Sidesteps the Debate
FLORIDA — Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier called for going “above and beyond” the state’s six-week abortion ban, saying Florida should use every available legal and regulatory tool against abortion clinics and abortion pills while advancing fetal personhood and ultimately seeking an end to abortion in the state.
In an interview with Live Action founder Lila Rose released Oct. 14, Uthmeier described Florida’s current heartbeat law as only one part of the state’s fight over abortion.
“I’m excited to go fight for truth, fight for life, and take the enemy down using any tool we have above and beyond just our heartbeat bill,” Uthmeier said.
Uthmeier pointed to lawsuits against Planned Parenthood and abortion-pill manufacturers, efforts to stop abortion medication from entering Florida in violation of state law and enforcement actions against abortion clinics.
“We’re going to use every tool we can to go after the abortion clinics that are killing babies,” he said.
Asked directly whether he believed Florida could see an end to abortion in his lifetime or in the near future, Uthmeier responded, “I certainly pray so.”
The comments come as Uthmeier seeks election to a full term as attorney general and as Florida’s race for governor has taken a more cautious approach to further abortion restrictions.
Earlier this year, several pro-life leaders, including Brevard-area organizers Seth Tweeddale of Citizens Defending Freedom and Jason Storms of Operation Save America and White Rose Action, organized the “Who Will Stand For Life?” 2026 Florida Governor Candidate Forum.
Republican primary candidates Paul Renner and James Fishback participated while Byron Donalds declined.
Asked in a viral primary campaign clip whether he would commit to a full abortion ban as governor, Donalds said, “Right now we’re gonna keep the law as it is.”
Donalds has also previously declined to say whether he would have signed Florida’s six-week ban had he been governor when Gov. Ron DeSantis approved it.
"Honestly, that's something where you have to deal with your legislature on that. You have to look at your legislature, you have to deal with the people in your state, and you figure out what that process is gonna be," Donalds said in response during a May 2023 interview with NBC’s Meet the Press. “Abortion politics is very personal, it’s very, very personal.”
Donalds has since called the six-week law the “right move,” but has not campaigned on taking Florida to a further abortion restriction.
His Democratic opponent, David Jolly, identifies as pro-choice and says he would seek to replace the six-week law with what his campaign calls the “Roe framework,” permitting abortion until fetal viability, around 23 to 24 weeks, with regulation afterward where necessary to protect maternal life or health.
Jolly’s current position marks a major shift from his earlier political career. As a Republican congressman, he supported abortion restrictions, efforts to defund Planned Parenthood and legislation recognizing unborn children as entitled to legal protection.
That history has drawn scrutiny even from abortion-rights advocates. In a 2025 Miami Herald op-ed, Florida Women’s Freedom Coalition Executive Director Anna Hochkammer questioned whether voters should trust Jolly’s current position given his earlier record and noted that abortion had received relatively little attention from him during his political transition.
Regardless of the election results, the governor cannot unilaterally change Florida’s abortion law. Repealing the current six-week ban or enacting further restrictions would require approval from the Legislature. Republicans currently hold strong majorities in both the Florida House and Senate.
Meanwhile, Uthmeier also faces election uncertainties in a race against Democrat José Javier Rodríguez, a former state legislator and labor attorney endorsed by Planned Parenthood Florida Action. Rodríguez supports abortion rights and has opposed Florida’s parental-consent requirement for minors seeking abortions, while his attorney general campaign has focused more broadly on consumer protection, corruption and public safety.
— Christians of Brevard is a multi-church initiative that seeks to amplify the voices of local churches and ministries for the purpose of encouraging the local body of Christ and advancing the Kingdom of God. Join our Facebook community @ChristiansOfBrevard
