| | | | | |  | | By Gary Fineout | Good Tuesday morning. The daily rundown — Between Sunday and Monday, the number of Florida coronavirus cases increased by 8,452 (nearly 0.8 percent), to 1,134,383; active hospitalizations went up by 246 (5.2 percent), to 4,932; deaths rose by 137 (nearly 0.7 percent), to 20,003. Play in the Sunshine — As the presidential election defeat begins to take hold, will the looming arrival of the Trump family in Florida disrupt the state's political landscape? Sign 'o' the Times — In recent days, there have been a steady stream of stories about Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner relocating to Miami — potentially putting them close to Mar-a-Lago, where President Donald Trump is expected to move once he leaves the White House. Pop Life — This has led to speculation about Ivanka Trump using Florida as the stepping stone for her own political career. Playbook has already pointed out that state law includes a residency requirement that prohibits Ivanka Trump from running for governor for seven years. So now there's buzz about a possible Senate run. Marco Rubio, who ran for president in 2016 only to get trounced in his home state by Donald Trump, is expected to seek a third term. Housequake — Republican Party of Florida Chairman Joe Gruters acknowledged Monday that most of the Trump family members would have an outsized influence on GOP voters: "The Trump brand and the Trump family is probably the strongest brand that's ever existed within the base of the party. My guess is they could almost run for anything in the whole country and be successful within the primary." The Future — But Gruters, who stopped to chat with a few reporters, also downplayed the notion that Ivanka Trump would actually mount a challenge against Rubio, saying "that's just noise." Gruters added that "I would almost guarantee you that any of them running for any primary across the country would be successful, but I don't anticipate anybody running against the governor or Marco Rubio that's serious at this time." — WHERE'S RON? — Gov. Ron DeSantis is scheduled to be in Tallahassee for a meeting with the Florida Cabinet. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for Playbook? Get in touch: gfineout@politico.com | | | | BIG SCOOPS IN TRANSITION PLAYBOOK: In the runup to Inauguration Day, president-elect Joe Biden's staffing decisions are sending clear-cut signals about his priorities. What do these signals foretell? Transition Playbook is the definitive guide to one of the most consequential transfers of power in American history. Written for political insiders, this scoop-filled newsletter is breaking big news and analyzing the appointments, people and emerging power centers of the new administration. Track the transition and the first 100 days of the incoming administration. Subscribe today. | | | | |
|  | TRAIL MIX | | 'HOPEFULLY THE PRESIDENT IS SUCCESSFUL' — "Florida Republicans, still refusing to acknowledge Biden's win, cast votes for Trump," by POLITICO's Gary Fineout: Florida's top Republicans, including Gov. Ron DeSantis watching nearby with his daughter Madison, gathered on Monday to cast the state's 29 electoral votes for President Donald Trump, even as they continued their refusal to acknowledge President-elect Joe Biden's victory. The GOP elites gathered in the wood-paneled chamber of the state Senate chamber continued to hold onto the fantasy that somehow Trump will prevail, despite a string of legal defeats seeking to overturn the election results. It was an acknowledgment of the continued sway the president — who is expected to live in Florida once he leaves office — holds in Republican politics. Hanging on — "I support the president doing everything he can, every single legal method that he can challenge because the alternative is we are going to be under Harris-Biden administration and they are going to fundamentally destroy the country," said Republican Party of Florida vice chairman and Sarasota County Commissioner Christian Ziegler. "I don't want my kids living in that country as a result of their policies. So hopefully the president is successful and I fully support him doing everything he can to overturn what's happened." Ziegler's comments were echoed by state senator and Republican Party of Florida Chairman Joe Gruters, who said there were problems with votes cast in other states, although he didn't cite any instances of fraud. He contended instead that some vote counting wasn't properly observed. | 
Republican Party of Florida National Committeeman Peter Feaman holds up the documents he and the rest of the 29 Florida Presidential Electors used to cast votes for Donald Trump and Mike Pence during a meeting of the electors at the Capitol in Tallahassee, Fla., Monday, Dec. 14, 2020. (Tori Lynn Schneider/Tallahassee Democrat via AP) | WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS — "Donor name change fuels a Florida dark money mystery," by POLITICO's Matt Dixon: The biggest political mystery of Florida's 2020 election cycle has taken yet another turn — to Colorado. The shadowy entity behind roughly $550,000 in untraceable cash that funded political mail propping up sham candidates in key Florida Senate races, including one now under investigation, quietly changed its name, campaign finance records show. And poof! — POLITICO reported this fall that an entity called Proclivity on Oct. 3 gave $550,000 total to two Florida political committees — The Truth and Our Florida — which quickly used the money on mail supporting unaffiliated candidates that appeared to siphon votes from Democrats. It was the sole donor to each committee but now seems to no longer exist on paper as a donor to any Florida campaigns or committees. Since Election Day, both The Truth and Our Florida quietly changed their donor from Proclivity, which used a UPS box in Atlanta, to Grow United, Inc., a preexisting entity that lists a UPS box in Denver. There are no campaign notices or public filings offering an explanation about why the committees would amend their campaign finance reports to change the identity or the address of their donor. STONE ZONE — "Roger Stone considers running for Senate in Florida against Marco Rubio or Rick Scott," by Newsweek's Rebecca Speare-Cole: "In a post to the social media site Parler on Sunday — [Roger] Stone shared a photo of himself making a speech at the 'Stop the Steal' rally in Miami in Sunday. In the background, a crowd member can be seen holding up a sign which reads: "Where is Marco?" — referring to the incumbent Republican Senator Marco Rubio was presumably absent from the rally. Stone wrote on Parler: 'Where is Marco, indeed? A growing number of Florida Republicans are urging me to challenge Marco Rubio in the Republican primary.'" HEADING TO COURT? — "Florida-based elections vendor demands conservative media retract rigging reports," by Miami Herald's David Smiley: "A global elections vendor founded in South Florida is threatening to sue Fox News and other conservative media outlets for defamation unless they prominently retract unfounded reports alleging a conspiracy to rig the 2020 vote against President Donald Trump. Smartmatic, which keeps its U.S. headquarters in Boca Raton, announced Monday that it may file lawsuits against Fox News, One America News Network and Newsmax over a 'concerted disinformation campaign' to claim or suggest the company was involved in an effort to steal the Nov. 3 election from Trump. All three networks have amplified baseless claims by Trump and attorneys working with his campaign that Smartmatic software was used to manipulate vote totals." — "Mike Waltz blasts journalistic 'cancel culture' in wake of Orlando Sentinel snub," by Florida Politics' A.G. Gancarski | | | | JOIN THURSDAY - CLOSING THE HEALTH CARE GAP: Another Covid-19 outbreak is taking a significant toll on the health of the Latino community. As President-elect Joe Biden prepares to assume office, how will his administration address the disproportionate impact of the pandemic on communities of color, particularly Latinos? Join POLITICO for a virtual conversation on the policy, economic and cultural barriers Latinos confront in accessing quality health care and how the pandemic can create an opportunity to identify solutions. REGISTER HERE. | | | | |
| | CORONAVIRUS UPDATES | | THE TOLL — "As vaccine arrives, Florida tops 20,000 resident deaths," by News Service of Florida's Jim Saunders: "As Gov. Ron DeSantis and health officials celebrated the arrival of a COVID-19 vaccine on Monday, Florida reported that more than 20,000 residents have died from the disease, offering a sobering reminder of its continuing toll. With 137 additional resident deaths reported Monday, the total jumped to 20,003 since the start of the pandemic, according to a report from the Florida Department of Health. Also, 268 non-residents have died in Florida." THE HOPE — " 'Magical' moment as vaccine arrives in Florida," by News Service of Florida's Christine Sexton: "The first wave of coronavirus vaccinations began in Florida on Monday, with health-care workers in Tampa and Jacksonville among the first to get inoculated. Gov. Ron DeSantis was on hand at Tampa General Hospital as the first shot there was administered to Vanessa Arroyo, a 31-year-old registered nurse. COVID-19 vaccinations also were administered to workers at UF Health Jacksonville, and Memorial Healthcare System in Broward County planned an afternoon news conference, saying an initial shipment would be used to inoculate front-line workers. 'Today, we will have shots going into arms,' said DeSantis, who signed the FedEx delivery that brought about 20,000 doses to Tampa General Hospital. 'This is a game-changer. It's a great day for the United States, it's a great day for the state of Florida.'" WHO'S NEXT? — "Coronavirus: Doctors outside hospitals unclear when they will get vaccine," by Palm Beach Post's Wayne Washington: "A nurse in Tampa became among the first people in Florida to receive a vaccine for the coronavirus Monday, but other health-care providers say no protocol has been set up to let them know when they will be inoculated. 'It's a very disorganized and not very transparent process,' said Dr. Howard Green, a dermatologist who practices in Palm Beach County. 'None of it's standardized, I don't think. Is there really any process?'" — "' A new ray of hope.' First South Florida hospital workers get vaccinated in Broward," by Miami Herald's Ben Conarck — "'Our magic moment': Tampa Bay reacts to coronavirus vaccine," by Tampa Bay Times' Romy Ellenbogen and Megan Reeves — " Florida health care workers get COVID-19 vaccine; Orlando's AdventHealth doses will arrive Tuesday," by Orlando Sentinel's Steven Lemongello and Garfield Hylton SIDELINED — "Florida Senate President Wilton Simpson missing Electoral College vote after positive COVID-19 test," by Sarasota Herald-Tribune's John Kennedy: "Simpson is the most prominent Florida elected official to publicly announce testing positive for COVID-19, although a number of state House and Senate members have confirmed contracting the virus. Several were forced to miss the Legislature's organization session in November, either because they had COVID-19, were quarantining after exposure or, like Simpson, tested positive after arriving at the Capitol." WHAT COULD GO WRONG? — " Maskless crowd — including DeSantis family — at Edgewater-Niceville high school football game prompts online criticism, praise," by Orlando Sentinel's Katie Rice and Leslie Postal: "The Edgewater High School football team's win over Niceville High School Friday evening propelled the Edgewater Eagles to the State Championship game — and prompted reaction to the largely maskless crowd. The schools have been getting attention online not only for the game itself, but images of unmasked spectators — including Gov. Ron DeSantis and his family — packed together in Niceville High School's stands. Photos taken by Northwest Florida Daily News photographer Michael Snyder show dense crowds at the game, with unmasked spectators on the home team's side standing shoulder-to-shoulder. The photo DeSantis posted on Twitter of his family, with neither him, his wife nor his two young children in masks, showed a scene typical of playoff football before the coronavirus pandemic — prompting online praise from some and fierce criticism from others." MEANWHILE — " Super Bowl 55 will have 'as many fans' as can be done safely: NFL commissioner," by Tampa Bay Times Rick Stroud: " After spending about a quarter and a half in seats at Raymond James Stadium watching the Bucs-Vikings game with his family on a sun-splashed afternoon Sunday, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said he felt completely safe with the COVID-19 protocols and social-distancing. The announced attendance was 16,301. But just 55 days from Super Bowl 55, Goodell still has no idea about the seating capacity for the league's championship game. 'I think the way we're approaching that is we're going to be taking that not on a day-by-day basis, but obviously the safety of our fans and the community are going to be No. 1,' Goodell said during a conference call with Tampa Bay media Monday. 'We will be working with public officials and the health officials to define that as we get closer to the game.'" LONG ROAD BACK — "How will Orlando, the theme park capital of the world, recover from 2020?" by Orlando Sentinel's Gabrielle Russon: "The year 2020 brought images of Orlando never seen before. Interstate 4, the eternally traffic-clogged gateway to the theme parks, was quiet. The Magic Kingdom, the world's busiest park, was empty for months, a happy place that previously had shut down for just a day or two for hurricanes or other emergencies. The coronavirus pandemic is expected to recede in 2021 as vaccines become available. But restarting Orlando's tourism machine will be a monumental task, and experts don't agree on how much longer the region and its hundreds of thousands of industry workers will suffer." — "Florida seeks to sanction 'Grim Reaper' attorney who sued to close beaches over COVID," by News Service of Florida's Jim Saunders | | ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... | | THE PARTY GOES ON — Despite warnings about holiday gatherings, Gov. Ron DeSantis and first lady Casey DeSantis held a holiday reception Monday night at the governor's mansion where they invited legislators and guests to attend. Spotted at the event (many wearing masks, some were not): state Sens. Aaron Bean, Jeff Brandes, Gayle Harrell, and Keith Perry. Brandes came with two dozen gingerbread cookies in hand. Others who showed up included state Reps. Chip LaMarca, Randy Fine, Jason Fischer, Anthony Sabatini and Clay Yarbrough. Also attending from the governor's office: Chris Spencer, policy director, and Meredith Beatrice, director of strategic initiatives. | | TRUMPLANDIA AND THE SWAMP | | SCOUTING TRIP — "Melania Trump fuels rumors of Mar-a-Lago move after touring Florida schools," by New York Post's Mara Siegler: "Donald Trump and First Lady Melania are also planning to settle down in Florida after they leave the White House. A source tells Page Six the First Lady toured Pine Crest school, located in Fort Lauderdale, about forty minutes away from Mar-a-Lago. Tuition at the ritzy private school is $35,150 for grades nine through twelve and requires personal and business tax returns for enrollment." | | PENINSULA AND BEYOND | | 'I AM NOT A TERRORIST' — "Woman with Florida ties tangled up in spy-vs.-spy drama, foiled Venezuela coup," by El Nuevo Herald's Antonio Maria Delgado and McClatchy's Kevin G. Hall and Shirsho Dasgupta: "The Maduro regime in Venezuela wants her extradited to face justice for a failed coup hatched in South Florida. The Colombian government accuses her of being in cahoots with narcoterrorists and her family describes Yacsy Alexandra Álvarez Mirabel as a nerdy marketing specialist caught up in events much larger than she ever could have imagined. Álvarez is a mysterious, little-known player in the coup attempt, led by former U.S. special operations soldier Jordan Goudreau and his Florida security company Silvercorp USA, that sought to topple Venezuela's Nicolás Maduro. Confounding details of the escapade are just now trickling out, months after it failed, leaving two ex-U.S. soldiers captured and jailed in Venezuela. Álvarez, who owned a modest condo in Tampa and incorporated a company there in April 2017, gave an exclusive telephone interview from her jail in Colombia, proclaiming her innocence." 'ONE STEP IN A LONG ROAD' — "Bob Levinson of Coral Springs died in Iranian custody, US government says," by Sun Sentinel's Anthony Man: "Iran was responsible for the death of Bob Levinson, the retired FBI agent from Coral Springs who disappeared in Iran in in 2007, President Donald Trump's administration said Monday. The Trump administration concluded that Levinson was dead months ago, but Monday was the first time it said so publicly. The administration also identified two Iranian intelligence officers they believe were responsible for his abduction. Sanctions were imposed on the Iranians, though the sanctions may have no practical effect." — " Air Force sues Homestead, landowners, over agreement to build homes near base," by Miami Herald's Samantha J. Gross and Rene Rodriguez — "Ayala creates diversion program for suspended license, prostitution, underage drinking offenses," by Orlando Sentinel's Monivette Cordeiro | | ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN | | — "Bartow native Adam Putnam to be inducted into the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame," by The Ledger's Maya Lora: "Adam Putnam, a Bartow native and former Florida agriculture commissioner, will be inducted into the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame in 2021. At one time the youngest person to be elected to both the Florida legislature and the U.S. House of Representatives, Putnam will also be one of the youngest inducted into the Citrus Hall of Fame at 46. But his age wasn't a hinderance when it came to his accomplishments, said Brenda Eubanks Burnette, the hall's executive director. 'In terms of one person who's had his imprint on Florida agriculture for the last 20 years, I don't think anyone has been larger than Adam Putnam,' Eubanks Burnette said." BIRTHDAYS: Florida Democratic Party chair Terrie Rizzo ... Gabriel Groisman, attorney, author and Mayor of Bal Harbour.
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