Judge won't immediately stop Hope Florida ads after lawsuit from state GOP

Romy Ellenbogen, Tampa Bay Times on Oct 20, 2026

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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — A Florida judge on Tuesday temporarily denied the Republican Party of Florida’s request to block political advertisements mentioning the leaked Hope Florida grand jury report.

Judge Peter F. Estrada in Highlands County said the Republican Party would have to coordinate with the people and groups it is suing to set up a court hearing.

Until then, no order will be in place to block television stations from airing the Florida Democratic Party’s advertisements.

The Republican Party of Florida filed suit against the Democratic Party, three Democratic candidates and several TV stations on Friday night.

The advertisement mentions the grand jury’s finding that the $10 million of Medicaid money transferred to the Hope Florida Foundation was “misappropriated.”

The grand jury report was never released publicly. CBS Miami published it in August. Earlier this month, the 1st District Court of Appeal ruled that the report should be expunged for violations of confidentiality and for the grand jury accusing people of criminal behavior without indicting them.

Judge Lance Neff, who authored the appellate ruling, said in the majority opinion that the $10 million transfer was a lawful action.

The Republican Party of Florida pointed to that court order in its lawsuit.

The party asked for an urgent order blocking the advertisements, noting the time sensitivity with voting already underway.

The case is still moving on an emergency timeline. The general election is Nov. 3.

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