Gary Fineout's must-read briefing on what's hot, crazy or shady about politics in the Sunshine State
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Hello and welcome to Friday.
Flashback— It was 50 years ago this morning that five men broke into the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate Office Building, four of whom had ties to South Florida. The ensuing scandal would eventually lead to the resignation of President Richard Nixon.
Flashback part 2— The House select committee investigating the Jan. 6th riot at the Capitol held the third of five scheduled hearings on Thursday, and this time it centered on the pressure placed on then-Vice President Mike Pence to overturn the results of the 2020 election. There were a few moments of Florida déjà vu as it was pointed out that then-Vice President Al Gore did not try to block Florida’s Electoral College votes after the chaotic 2000 recount where he barely lost to George W. Bush.
Careful— The lone Florida member on the panel — Rep. Stephanie Murphy — has not had a central role so far in the proceedings, but Murphy went on MSNBC following the hearing where she took a cautious position regarding what should be done in reaction to the findings of the committee.
Sidestep — Murphy repeatedly deflected on questions about whether the information revealed so far would lead to criminal charges, telling Nicolle Wallace that “I think I would leave it to the Department of Justice to determine whether a crime had been committed or investigation needs to be launched.”
Role — Murphy, who is not running for reelection, maintained that the committee’s role is to “lay out the facts” and potentially make legislative recommendations.
Murphy’s P.O.V.— But she said that the committee’s proceedings showed that former President Donald Trump actions demonstrated that he was “not morally fit for office.” She also said the “case we are making” is that “we came perilously close to losing our democracy and it was because there was a man in power who cared about more about his personal gain than he did about his commitment to this country and the Constitution.”
— WHERE'S RON? — Gov. DeSantis will be in Pensacola, where he will hold a press conference with Florida Highway Patrol Director Col. Gene Spaulding and Mark Glass, interim commissioner for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
PROGRAMMING NOTE — Florida Playbook will not publish on Monday for Juneteenth, but we will return on Tuesday. Please continue to follow POLITICO Florida.
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BACK IN ACTION— Convicted felon Corrine Brown seeks return to Congress, by POLTICO’s Matt Dixon: Convicted felon Corrine Brown, a Democrat who previously served in Congress for more than two decades, said Thursday she is running for an Orlando-based congressional seat. Less than a month after pleading guilty to one count of tax fraud as part of a deal that ended a six-year legal saga, Brown says she will run in the newly drawn 10th Congressional District, a Democratic-leaning seat that already has a crowded primary field including Florida state Sen. Randolph Bracy, progressive organizer Maxwell Frost and former Orlando-area Rep. Alan Grayson (D-Fla.).
Corrine Brown. | AP Photo/Roberto Gonzalez
QUESTION — “DeSantis still won’t say if he thinks 2020 election was stolen,” by WFLA’s Evan Donovan: “Gov. Ron DeSantis still wouldn’t say if he believes President Joe Biden was “duly and legally elected” in 2020. ‘I’ve been asked that a hundred different times,’ DeSantis told reporters during a press conference at the American Legion Post 273 in Madeira Beach Wednesday. ‘What I would say is this. Why won’t they do hearings about more energy? Why aren’t they doing hearings about inflation? Why are they constantly beating this dead horse? Yes, we understand that, that was a year and a half ago. Let’s focus on things that are concerning American people today, and helping us get through this period here today.’ Although DeSantis has been asked the question before, 8 On Your Side found no record of him actually answering it, in print or on-air.”
FRIED AND TEAM TOUT POLL— Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried and her campaign on Thursday distributed a one-page memo on an internal poll they did showing a clear path for Fried to defeat Rep. Charlie Crist in the August Democratic primary. The main takeaway was that Crist edges Fried 38 percent to 34 percent in a poll with a plus/minus 4 point margin of error meaning the two could be tied. The poll of 600 likely primary voters also showed a large amount — 29% — were undecided.
Out front— Crist has been leading in money raised and endorsements, but Fried’s team maintained that the poll shows that when voters learn more about her — including that she won in 2018 — the support shifts. Kevin Cate, an adviser to the campaign, also maintained that Fried won’t “have to spend much money” to alter the dynamics of the race and that many primary voters have not really tuned in yet. Another key point is that Democrats just want someone who can “win” and beat Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Seen and unseen— The Fried team, however, did not share the details of the poll itself, including the questions or the crosstabs to show the demographics. For their part, Crist’s operation was dismissive. Sam Ramirez, a spokeswoman for the campaign, said it was “full of smoke, mirrors and hype tactics. ….They need a good chiropractor to undo all the knots they’ve tied themselves in to try and explain how they can actually win.”
CAMPAIGN ROUNDUP— Service Employees International Union Florida, which has more than 80,000 members in the state, on Thursday announced more than 60 endorsements in both the August primary and November election. The union said it was backing Rep. Charlie Crist in the governor’s race and Rep. Val Demings for U.S. Senate. Other notable candidates in competitive primaries include Aramis Ayala for attorney general, Maxwell Alejandro Frost for Florida’s 10th Congressional District, Jared Moskowitz for Florida’s 23rd Congressional District, and Lauren Book for state Senate. While the union does back a lot of Democrats, SEIU Florida also endorsed a handful of Republicans running for state Senate, including incumbents Jennifer Bradley, Ed Hooper and Ana Maria Rodriguez. The union also endorsed Rep. Bryan Avila, who is running for a Miami-Dade state Senate seat.
… Club for Growth PAC is endorsing Republican Anna Paulina Luna in Florida’s 13th Congressional District, which has a crowded GOP primary. Luna had been previously endorsed by former President Donald Trump.
… EMILY’s List on Thursday endorsed state Sen. Annette Taddeo, who is running in Florida’s 27th Congressional District.
— “Does Nikki Fried have a path to winning Democratic nomination for governor over Charlie Crist?” by South Florida Sun-Sentinel’s Anthony Man
— “Alan Cohn filed to run in open, newly drawn CD 15,” by Florida Politics’ Jacob Ogles
LONE STATE — DeSantis says Florida is ‘affirmatively against’ Covid-19 vaccines for young kids, by POLITICO’s Arek Sarkissian: Florida GOP Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday railed against providing Covid-19 vaccines to young children, saying Florida will not provide state programs to administer vaccinations for toddlers or infants. DeSantis, speaking at a press conference in Miami, said that Covid-19 vaccines have not gone through enough testing and clinical trials to determine that they are effective and added that kids are least likely to suffer serious health consequences from Covid.
— “Florida hospitals, physicians scramble as DeSantis opts out of vaccine order for young kids,” by Naples Daily News’ Liz Freeman
CALLED OUT ON TWITTER — “DeSantis administration targets Bucs over employee vaccine requirement,” by Tampa Bay Times’ Olivia George: “Officials with Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration took to Twitter this week to voice their frustration at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ vaccination requirement for new employees, with Florida’s Department of Health Press Secretary Jeremy Redfern calling a specific job listing illegal. A Bucs hiring announcement for an in-season video production intern stipulates: “All new hires are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and provide verification of vaccination prior to the commencement of employment.”
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ANOTHER COURT LOSS— “A federal judge has blocked a Florida law that limits contributions for ballot initiatives,” by News Service of Florida’s Jim Saunders: “A federal judge has rejected an attempt by Florida lawmakers to limit contributions to political committees supporting ballot initiatives, saying it violates the First Amendment. U.S. District Judge Allen Winsor issued an 18-page ruling Wednesday that included a permanent injunction against the $3,000 contribution limit, which passed in 2021 and was revised this year. The limit was part of long-running efforts by Republican leaders to make it harder to pass ballot initiatives to amend the state Constitution.”
EXIT— “Longtime NRA Florida lobbyist Marion Hammer retiring,” by Tampa Bay Times’ Romy Ellenbogen and Kirby Wilson: “Marion Hammer, who became a nationally recognized figure in Florida gun politics, is retiring after four decades working as a state lobbyist for the National Rifle Association. Instead, Hammer will serve as an adviser to the NRA, focused on gun advocacy beyond just Florida, according to a Thursday statement from the gun rights organization. ‘I have fought for Second Amendment rights and the rights of gun owners for many many years, and that’s my legacy,’ Hammer said in an interview Thursday. ‘I stood tall against a wall of people who wanted to destroy the Constitution and punish law-abiding people for the acts of criminals.’”
WHAT’S IN YOUR WALLET? — “DeSantis taps D.C. law firm billing $725 an hour to defend culture war laws,” by Orlando Sentinel’s Skyler Swisher: “A conservative Washington, D.C., law firm with deep political connections has emerged as the courthouse defender of much of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ culture war agenda, raking in nearly $2.8 million in legal fees and contracts from taxpayers to defend some of his top priorities. One of the firm’s star lawyers, Adam Laxalt, roomed with DeSantis during officer training school and is now running for U.S. Senate in Nevada with his endorsement.”
TO COURT— “DeSantis’ ‘Stop Woke Act’ faces court test as universities become targets. At issue: Free speech,” by USA Today Network-Florida’s John Kennedy: “Gov. Ron DeSantis’ ‘Stop Woke Act’ is facing its first federal court test after weeks of being celebrated by the political right for restricting race-based teaching and training in schools, universities and workplaces. But not all conservatives are lined up behind the Republican governor. A civil liberties organization, which has sided with Florida Republicans in the past on campus speech issues, is among those now condemning DeSantis’ approach. ‘It’s intended to chill speech,’ said Adam Steinbaugh, an attorney with the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE).”
— “UF responded well to free speech allegations, report says,” by Tampa Bay Times’ Divya Kumar
HURRY UP— DeSantis signs legislation requiring soil, water district board members to seek reelection, by POLITICO’s Bruce Ritchie: Gov. Ron DeSantis late Wednesday signed legislation that appears to require all soil and water district board members to seek reelection with only two days left in qualifying. DeSantis signed SB 1078 filed by state Sen. Travis Hutson (R-Palm Coast), who critics said was targeting the obscure boards in retaliation for a candidate he supported losing a board race in St. Johns County. The bill requires all of the unpaid board members to run for reelection from geographically assigned seats and have agricultural industry backgrounds.
— “Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announces 2022 python challenge in Miami-Dade,” by NBC 6
MUCK — “Biden signs South Florida algae bloom bill forcing federal response. How will it help?” by Treasure Coast Newspapers Max Chesnes: “President Joe Biden Thursday signed a law mandating federal involvement in the protection of Treasure Coast waterways — and the people living, working and playing on that water — from toxic algae. The South Florida Clean Coastal Waters Act of 2021 requires a first-of-its-kind federal assessment and ‘action plan’ to mitigate and reduce harmful algal blooms in Florida. The measure passed the U.S. House of Representatives by a 412-7 vote on May 11 and the U.S. Senate by unanimous consent in March.”
— “Lawmakers from Florida seek to change FDA rules for sugar levels in juice oranges,” by The Ledger’s Paul Nutcher
— “Rep. Waltz slams Biden energy secretary Granholm’s remarks on gas prices: ‘They’re cheering this on,’” by Fox News
GOAL! — “South Florida selected as a host for the 2026 World Cup,” by South Florida Sun-Sentinel’s Adam Lichtenstein: “The World Cup is coming to South Florida. FIFA selected Miami Gardens’ Hard Rock Stadium as one of 16 sites in the United States, Canada and Mexico to host games for the 2026 World Cup on Thursday afternoon. South Florida has never hosted a World Cup match. ‘This is incredible. This is generational,’ Miami Mayor Francis Suarez said. ‘The last time that the US had a World Cup was in ‘94, so this is literally a once-in-a-generation opportunity.’”
WINDFALL? — “Miami expected to make money – and spend some when it hosts 2026 World Cup games,” by Miami Herald’s Joey Flechas: “Miami expects to see an economic windfall from hosting the 2026 World Cup games, including thousands of jobs, tons of tourists and attention on the world stage, local political and business leaders said on Thursday after FIFA announced which cities were chosen. With a worldwide audience, the major soccer sporting event is expected to be a big boost for South Florida’s tourism economy. Local leaders anticipate a positive economic impact tied to visitors at hotels, restaurants and a range of other businesses.”
— “Orlando’s bid to be host city for 2026 World Cup fails,” by Orlando Sentinel’s Matt Murschel
MOVING IN — “MAGA influencers flock to Florida, chasing political clout and connections,” by Tampa Bay Times’ Emily L. Mahoney: “[Rogan] O’Handley, who lives in the Tampa Bay area, is part of a growing community of MAGA-brand influencers who have emerged from or relocated to this region in recent years, forging an ecosystem of provocative conservative content. Yet these purveyors of right-wing hot takes and, at times, disinformation, are no longer leaving mere online footprints. They are seeking to expand their reach from the internet into the real world of backroom politics and government policymaking. With former President Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago and Republican Ron DeSantis residing in the governor’s mansion, they are increasingly finding access to the corridors of power.”
FOR YOUR RADAR — “Grand jury report to recommend removal of Broward School Board members, filing says,” by South Florida Sun-Sentinel’s Scott Travis: “A long-awaited report from a grand jury, which has already indicted the former Broward school superintendent and two other administrators, will recommend that Gov. Ron DeSantis remove some school board members, a new court ruling says. But who those School Board members are — or what they are accused of doing — isn’t included in the Wednesday decision by the 4th District Court of Appeals, which focuses on which parts of the report must be redacted.”
— “Florida’s 66 county clerks back Pam Childers in Escambia County retirement plan lawsuit,” by Pensacola News Journal’s Jim Little
— “A candidate for Plantation mayor is accused of making inappropriate comments. But he says it’s just dirty politics,” by South Florida Sun-Sentinel’s Lisa J. Huriash: “A Plantation city councilman who’s running to unseat the mayor has been accused of making vulgar and racist remarks at City Hall. But he says the accusations are nothing more than politics in a contentious campaign. A former assistant city clerk, Ayesha Robinson, complained to city officials that Councilman Nick Sortal told her “my d--- is hard for this” after detailing a verbal spat his wife had with Mayor Lynn Stoner.”
BIRTHDAYS: Brett Doster, president of The Front Line Agency … Florida Trend’s Vickie Chachere … (Saturday) State Rep. Joe Harding … (Sunday) Jim Baltzelle with The Associated Press … Miami Herald’s Mary Ellen Klas … Florida Politics’ A.G. Gancarski … (Monday) The Boston Globe’s Samantha J. Gross … Brad Howard with The Vogel Group … Ed Miyagishima