TAMPA, Fla. — Florida's governor is asking Republicans to publicly come out against an amendment that supports abortion. But some Republicans are actually supporting the measure. 

What You Need To Know

  • Former Manatee County Commissioner Carol Whitmore helped form Conservative Women for Freedom

  • The group has been holding informal gatherings to talk about Amendment 4

  • The amendment would — according to the title — limit government interference with abortion

  • Amendment 4 needs 60% voter approval to pass

Former Manatee County Commissioner Carol Whitmore helped form Conservative Women for Freedom. The group has held informal gatherings to talk about its support for Amendment 4.

According to the title, it would limit government interference with abortion. The gatherings have gotten national attention. 

"I respect both sides," Whitmore said. "If you don't support it, I totally understand. But me, personally, as a health care provider for most of my life, and being a Republican for most of my life since I was 18, I don't appreciate government overreach on this one."

Faced with the choice in the early 1970s, Whitmore decided to have an abortion. 

"I didn’t even know how far along I was," Whitmore said. "I was in shock. I lived by myself. My parents were in jail. Did I like what I did? No, but I made the choice."

During the GOP's Victory Dinner, Gov. Ron DeSantis blasted Amendment 4.

"It is an intentionally deceptive and misleading amendment," DeSantis said. "It should have never been approved to be on the ballot by the Florida Supreme Court."

DeSantis said his election police have found fraud with some of the signatures that were used to put the abortion issue on the ballot.

The Catholic Church has also strongly come out against the amendment. They've urged members to put out yard signs that say no to Amendment 4. 

Sixty percent of voters must vote in favor in order for the amendment to pass.