Florida’s 4th Congressional District: Who Will Win the House Seat

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, speaking at a Jacksonville news conference, addressed his role in Amendment 3, the November ballot measure that would significantly reduce property taxes on homesteaded properties statewide. DeSantis said he won't lead the campaign for the measure, noting it was altered from his original proposal, but expects to stay involved in some capacity.

Critics warn the cuts could strain local governments, particularly in rural counties, by cutting core services like police, fire, and libraries; legislative analysts estimate nearly $12 billion in lost local revenue by fiscal year 2031-32. DeSantis argued the state's budget surplus could offset losses, though a fund he originally proposed for that purpose was dropped from the final version. Amendment 3 would raise homestead exemptions for non-school taxes, create a phased-in exemption for new residents, and cap non-homestead assessment growth at 5%. The measure needs 60% voter approval on Nov. 3 to take effect Jan. 1, 2027.

A federal judge sentenced Jacksonville resident Jennifer Cruz, 41, to 15 months in prison plus two years of supervised release for assaulting law enforcement officers during a Jan. 13 immigration enforcement operation. Cruz pleaded guilty in June after a traffic stop escalated when troopers discovered her license was suspended and moved to tow her vehicle; she punched a Florida Highway Patrol trooper in the face and later kicked two federal officers as they tried to place her in a patrol vehicle.

At Wednesday's hearing, the injured trooper described a broken finger requiring physical therapy and orthopedic care, lingering difficulty with everyday tasks, and distress from viral video of the incident. Cruz apologized directly to the trooper and accepted responsibility, while her daughter, employer and attorney urged leniency, citing her family role and remorse. The judge ordered prison time along with mental health treatment, substance abuse testing, and an anger management program, citing the need for accountability.

Jacksonville City Council President Nick Howland is facing scrutiny after flying on a private jet owned by billionaire developer Patrick Zalupski to a Tampa Bay Rays game. Zalupski is founder and CEO of Dream Finders Homes, a company with registered lobbyists at Jacksonville City Hall, and is also a part owner of the Rays. Howland says the trip was tied to fundraising for his political committee, Florida Freedom PAC, and that all related monetary and in-kind contributions will be disclosed in campaign finance reports as required by Florida law.

City Council member Jimmy Peluso criticized the arrangement, questioning how much, if anything, Howland paid for the flight and box-suite access. Florida ethics law caps gifts to officials at $100, but campaign finance rules permit private-aircraft travel to be reported as an in-kind contribution valued at comparable commercial airfare. Political analyst Rick Mullaney said no ethics laws appear to have been broken, but the optics are unpopular and likely to become a talking point ahead of Jacksonville's spring elections.

A federal judge has found William Upham, a former Marine and former state prosecutor from Jacksonville, Florida, not competent to stand trial on a charge of threatening to kill President Donald Trump. Upham was indicted in July after posting social media videos in military uniform calling for a "call to arms" and an overthrow of the administration, describing a shooting method, calling Trump the "Antichrist," and emailing a third party saying he would kill Trump "at the time God chooses." A psychiatric exam found him unfit to proceed; the judge ordered him transferred for competency restoration, with status reports due every 90 days. Trial is now set for February. The charge carries up to five years in prison.