Florida Republicans Sue 11 TV Stations Over Democratic Hope Florida Ad

The Republican Party of Florida has sued the owners of 11 TV stations to stop them airing a Democratic campaign ad.

The 30-second ad discusses the Hope Florida controversy and a grand jury report about $10 million from a Medicaid-related settlement.

The grand jury said the money was improperly diverted for political purposes, but it did not indict anyone and cited insufficient evidence.

A Florida appeals court later rejected the grand jury’s legal conclusion and ordered the report removed from court records.

Republicans argue that broadcasting the report’s contents would be illegal, while press freedom groups say the lawsuit threatens broadcasters’ First Amendment rights.

The ad also promotes three Democratic candidates, and the lawsuit comes two weeks before Florida’s Nov.

3 election, including the attorney general race between James Uthmeier and Jose Javier Rodriguez.

The party is asking a judge to block the stations from airing the ad and other material based on the report.