By OBBM Network Editorial Staff

Ann Vandersteel

Imagine a pledge so firm it would make a governor think twice before signing off on a massive data‑center project or allowing federal surveillance tools to operate unchecked in his own backyard. That is the premise behind the Contract with Florida, a citizen‑driven initiative that hopes to hold the state’s top Republican candidates to a strict set of libertarian‑leaning commitments.

Origins of the Contract

During a lively discussion on Steel News With Ann Vandersteel, activist Saga Stephen explained that the idea emerged “after the primary because we value our freedoms.” He described a wave of discontent among voters who felt “kicked in the teeth” and were considering abandoning the party altogether. Stephen’s response was to craft a contract that would give disaffected conservatives a concrete reason to stay engaged: a list of policy commitments that candidates must endorse to earn their support.

Stephen said the contract is a two‑way street. “If Byron Donalds and the top of the ticket—Uthmeyer, Ignolia and Wilton Simpson—all sign this, would you then consider not sitting this one out and coming back to vote for them?” He added that the candidates’ willingness to sign would signal a readiness to fight for “the citizens” on critical issues.

Data Centers and the 10th Amendment

The first item on the contract tackles the surge of hyperscale data centers, which Stephen warned could “go wherever we want. States be damned.” He framed the issue as a direct challenge to the 10th Amendment, arguing that only a governor with “the courage and the backbone” should be able to block such projects. Stephen cited Governor Ron DeSantis’s recent conversation with Byron Donalds as an example of leadership willing to “fight for the citizens.”

By demanding a formal pledge against unchecked data‑center development, the contract seeks to preserve Florida’s autonomy over land use and protect residents from potential privacy intrusions associated with massive digital infrastructure.

Health Freedom and Parental Rights

The second clause, dubbed the “contract for care,” focuses on safeguarding health freedoms. It calls for opposition to any government mandate that forces a medical procedure, vaccination, or treatment as a condition for employment, education, or public participation. Stephen emphasized the need to “oppose any repeal or weakening of Florida’s existing medical freedom protections.”

Relatedly, the “contract for children” reinforces parental rights in education and health decisions. Stephen stressed that schools should not be able to conceal a child’s psychological or gender‑identity issues from parents, noting that Governor DeSantis has already taken steps to ensure transparency.

Digital Privacy and Fourth Amendment Protections

The final major provision, the “contract for community,” aims to restore Fourth Amendment safeguards in the digital age. It requires law‑enforcement agents to obtain a warrant based on probable cause before accessing citizens’ physical or digital property held by third parties. Stephen warned that without such protections, “surveillance tools like flock cameras and automated license plate readers” could track law‑abiding citizens without oversight.

Moreover, the contract stipulates that any surveillance data captured in Florida must be stored on servers physically located within the state and not transferred to any federal database, reinforcing the state’s sovereignty over its residents’ information.

Implications for the Upcoming Gubernatorial Race

If the leading Republican candidates sign the contract, it could become a litmus test for voters who feel alienated after the primary. Stephen believes that a signed pledge would encourage those “disgruntled” and “hurt” voters to re‑engage, bolstering the conservative agenda against what he described as a “full stop over to the Democratic agenda.”

For the Trump administration, which continues to champion state rights and limited federal intrusion, the Contract with Florida aligns with broader national efforts to protect individual liberties and curb federal overreach. By foregrounding these issues at the state level, Florida could set a precedent for other states seeking similar safeguards.

Ultimately, the contract’s success will depend on whether candidates view it as a binding commitment or a political talking point. As Stephen put it, “Put your pen where your mouth is.” The next few weeks will reveal if Florida’s gubernatorial hopefuls are ready to sign on and deliver on these promises.

The full episode of Steel News With Ann Vandersteel is available on OBBM Network TV.