Prominent Orlando trial attorney John Morgan could be considered the kingmaker of Democratic-focused initiatives, having poured millions of dollars of his own money into successfully getting medical marijuana and a minimum wage increase passed.
But when it comes to the push in Florida that aims to create a right to abortion up to at least 24 weeks of pregnancy — and undo the state’s 6-week ban — Morgan said he’s not getting involved.
“I am pro-choice but this is not my fight,” he said via email when he was asked if he would come out of retirement from funding ballot initiatives.
Morgan encapsulates the problems Florida Democrats and activists face with the current abortion initiative. They want to protect access to abortion, but are struggling to fund the initiative and gather enough signatures by Feb. 1 to qualify to get it on the ballot.
Despite abortion rights advocates this week notching huge wins in state elections — including voters in conservative-leaning Ohio passing a constitutional amendment guaranteeing access to abortions — activists in Florida can’t seem to capture the same level of urgency and excitement, even with crucial deadlines looming.
No, that makes sense. I didn’t realize it was a 60% threshold. Thank God Ohio didn’t pass issue 1 in August and completely doom the state not only for this past election but all the future ones.