DeSantis Wants Pro-Life Advocate Rep. Jenna Persons-Mulicka to Have Another Term

TALLAHASSEE, FL—Governor Ron DeSantis endorsed Rep. Jenna Persons-Mulicka for a third term in the state House of Representatives, Persons-Mulicka revealed Tuesday morning.

"Jenna Persons-Mulicka has been a proven conservative for Lee County in the Florida Legislature and I’m happy to endorse her election," DeSantis said in a quote Persons-Mulicka posted to her X account. "Jenna has fought alongside us to support legislation that protects life, law enforcement, and small business. I look forward to having her represent District 78 once again."

Running to once again represent HD 78, which encompasses a large swath of Fort Myers, Persons-Mulicka was originally contested by businesswoman Susan Frantz for the Republican nomination. However, on the last day to qualify, Frantz dropped out of the race, explaining that she would support Persons-Mulicka but hopes to one day be the HD 78 Representative.

So, there will be no GOP primary for the seat, nor will there be for Democrats—as only retired Air Traffic Controller Howard Sapp is running to unseat Persons-Mulicka. It will be a steep battle for Sapp in the hard-red district, who has raised just over $3,800 and spent nothing compared to Persons-Mulicka's over $120,000 raised. She has spent just over $80,000 on her campaign so far.

Persons-Mulicka is a staunch anti-abortion advocate, sponsoring Florida's six-week abortion ban—a DeSantis priority—during the 2023 Legislative Session. This session, she sponsored a controversial wrongful death bill that was ultimately killed before the floor. The measure would have allowed parents to collect civil damages for the wrongful death of their unborn child, defining the child as a person with rights at any stage in development.

The bill provided fertile ground for conversations involving abortion, IVF, and fetal personhood—so its Senate sponsor, Sen. Erin Grall, and Senate President Kathleen Passidomo announced it "wasn't ready yet". Persons-Mulicka, however, was a strong supporter of the legislation throughout its lifespan.