The Democratic wave that swept other states barely rippled across Florida, but that doesn’t mean the Sunshine State was quiet. Byron Donalds won the governor’s race by only a point or so, despite a huge spending edge. And Democrats broke up a Republican supermajority in the State House, giving them real leverage on procedural votes and veto overrides.

Then there’s Amendment 3 - it passed with about 62 to 63 percent of the vote, and homeowners are dreaming of savings. But who pays? Toby Overdorf makes the case for trimming local spending while protecting first responders, while Brian warns that nobody has studied what this will do to our communities. Service cuts and new fees could be on the horizon.

Our guest also digs into affordability, the homeowners’ insurance crisis, and whether Donalds will govern as a bridgebuilder. Plus, why national Democrats ignored Florida this cycle, and why they may regret it in 2028

On Election Day, Michael Williams Brian Crowley break down what to watch as voters decide the governor's race between Republican Byron Donalds and Democrat David Jolly, the U.S. Senate contest between Ashley Moody and Angie Nixon, and Amendment 3, the property tax measure that needs 60 percent to pass.

Crowley walks through the regional map, explains what Democrats must achieve to win, and examines how new congressional districts, vote-by-mail changes and national tensions over election integrity could shape the night and the days after. They close with where Ron DeSantis goes next.

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Host's note: This was pre-taped, and polls change constantly, so check them yourself if you want to. (Remember: Brian does not like polls!)

Former Palm Beach County State Attorney and MS NOW contributor Dave Aronberg joins Michael Williams and Brian Crowley to assess whether a blue wave is building for the November midterms and what it could mean in Florida. Aronberg, a Democrat, breaks down the Jolly–Donalds governor's race, the Nixon–Moody Senate contest, the role of NPA and Black voters, the White House press-access fight, and whether DeSantis's redistricting could backfire.

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Michael Williams and Brian Crowley break down Amendment 3, the Florida property tax amendment that needs 60 percent of the vote. They cover what it could mean for homeowners, the warnings from local governments and Sheriff Grady Judd, the Florida Realtors campaign, and why Governor Ron DeSantis has gone quiet. They also discuss the missing governor's race debates between Byron Donalds and David Jolly, the Florida Chamber of Commerce billboards, congressional matchups including Scott Singer and Jared Moskowitz, and how redistricting and the 2030 census could affect Florida's seats in Congress.

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Gwen Graham, the Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor on the Jolly-Graham ticket and daughter of the late Florida Governor and U.S. Senator Bob Graham, joins Michael Williams and Brian Crowley on Top of Mind Florida three weeks before the November 3 election. Asked about the Byron Donalds campaign ad claiming a $1,000 hurricane tax, Graham says the charge is a lie and explains the catastrophic fund plan she and David Jolly propose for property insurance costs. She also makes her affordability case on health care, education and housing, and takes on Amendment 3, a proposed data center moratorium, and the divide between traditional public schools and school choice. She closes with what her father would say about this race. RECORDED THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2026.

Democrat James Martin, a Coast Guard veteran and former White House national security chief of staff, is challenging Rep. Brian Mast in Florida's 21st Congressional District. Hosts Michael Williams and Brian Crowley press him on the tough choices on entitlements: how to pay for a public option with a $40 trillion debt, whether he would raise taxes, cut benefits or raise the retirement age, and how he would fix Social Security. Martin also discusses healthcare, the Iran war, tariffs, property insurance, Haitian TPS and drug boat strikes.

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Florida voters go to the polls without hearing major candidates debate. Are they afraid?

Brian and Michael ask why Byron Donalds, David Jolly, Ashley Moody and Angie Nixon are not debating. Is the governor’s race too close to call? Can a Democrat be the first to win since 1994? We discuss the impact of Hispanic voters who are angry about TPS protections for immigrants being removed.

Voters are struggling with higher prices brought on by the Iran war and shrinking toilet paper rolls. Will this election turn on the economy? Could Amendment 3 and its property tax cuts be what finally gets voters off the couch? Then, the big question – will Florida’s nearly 30% of independent voters show up or stay home?

#Floridavoters #Amendment3 #SouthFlorida #TopOfMindFlorida

#FloridaElections #PalmBeachCounty #FloridaPolitics

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Brian Crowley and Michael Williams unpack Florida's Amendment 3 property tax fight — and why Ron DeSantis is now hedging on the amendment he pushed through months ago. They also cover the Byron Donalds–David Jolly governor's race, the Ashley Moody–Angie Nixon Senate race, Maria Salazar's break with Trump over immigration, and Crowley's own fight for public records access as a young reporter.

🎙️ New episodes every Tuesday at 4 PM on YouTube and 5 AM on all major audio podcast platforms. 🎧 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/top-of-mind-florida/id1818339119 📡 RSS Feed: https://rss.com/podcasts/top-of-mind-florida/