| | | | | |  | | By Gary Fineout | Good Tuesday morning. The daily rundown — Between Sunday and Monday, the number of Florida coronavirus cases increased by 8,002 (0.5 percent), to 1,579,281; active hospitalizations went up by 29 (nearly 0.4 percent), to 7,448; deaths rose by 137 (nearly 0.6 percent), to 24,274. Split-screen — Florida's two main political parties are starting the long grind toward the 2022 elections in very disparate conditions, but both are confronting serious questions about what happens next. Addition through subtraction — The Florida Democratic Party, which suffered notable defeats last year, chose former Miami Mayor Manny Diaz as its new chairman. Diaz on Friday, amid a review of the party finances, let go of two-thirds of the party staff. Today, he's announcing plans to bring in Marcus Dixon, the Florida executive director of Service Employees International Union as the new executive director. For Diaz, a significant test is whether he can make good on his fundraising promises, and if some of the big-dollar backers like former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg will actually steer money directly to the beleaguered party. Then there's still the question of what Democrats will step forward to challenge the long line of Republican incumbents who will be on the ballot next year. Onward — Florida Republicans, meanwhile, on Saturday handed state Sen. Joe Gruters another term as chairman of the state party at their winter meeting — an affair that featured a full slate of top GOP officials, including Sen. Marco Rubio, Gov. Ron DeSantis, as well as Reps. Matt Gaetz, Byron Donalds and Michael Waltz. Republicans head into the next election cycle coming off dominant wins in Florida, but now must contend with the reckoning of the post-Donald Trump era and the aftermath of the deadly U.S. Capitol riots. Rubio, who may (or may not) find himself running against a member of the Trump family, used the weekend meeting to continue to push the party in the post-Trump era to rebrand itself as a multiracial working-class party. But Gaetz made it clear the party will orbit around Trump — who is relocating to Florida this week. The next election — Christian Ziegler, a Sarasota County commissioner elected to a new term as vice chairman, said despite what has happened, Florida Republicans are unified: "We embraced the president in 2020. We're going to continue to embrace his movement." And part of that is getting behind DeSantis, who ran as a Trump ally in 2016 and, during the battle over Covid-19, has engaged on a steady course of bashing Democrats, the left and the media. "We're in much better shape in than other states," Ziegler said. "It's almost a natural progression from Trump to DeSantis. We have someone who fires up the base." — WHERE'S RON? — Gov. DeSantis will be in Jupiter, where he will hold a press conference at a Publix Super Market. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for Playbook? Get in touch: gfineout@politico.com | | | | TRACK FIRST 100 DAYS OF THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION: Track the first 100 Days of the Biden administration. Written for political insiders, this scoop-filled newsletter breaks big news and analyzes the initiatives, people and emerging power centers of the new administration. Subscribe today. | | | | |
|  | TRAIL MIX | | NOW ARRIVING — A bit more about Marcus Dixon, who becomes the Florida Democratic Party's new executive director after leading Manny Diaz's successful campaign for the chairmanship. Diaz in a statement said that "Marcus brings with him the passion and commitment to working people and public service that we need to move our party forward. His career embodies the core principle of the Democratic Party — the promise of the opportunity to fight for the American Dream for all Americans." Dixon's arrival comes right after this — "New chair orders deep staff cuts at Florida Democratic Party," by POLITICO's Gary Fineout: The Florida Democratic Party on Friday terminated two-thirds of its staff as part of an overhaul being pushed into place by new party chair Manny Diaz. Diaz made the move less than a week after he was selected by Democrats to rebuild the party where President Donald Trump scored a convincing win in the state and Democrats lost legislative and congressional seats in the 2020 elections. Party officials said the reduction from 19 full-time employees to six full-time employees was temporary while Diaz conducts a top-to-bottom review of operations. MEANWHILE, THE GOP IS STAYING PUT — "Trump loyalists Joe Gruters and Christian Ziegler re-elected to top Florida GOP posts," by Sarasota Herald-Tribune's Zac Anderson: "A pair of ardent Trump supporters from Sarasota County will continue to lead the Republican Party of Florida in the wake of the riot at the U.S. Capitol that lead to the president's impeachment." PRIMARY LOOMING? — "Ivanka's political future comes into sharper focus," by POLITICO's Meredith McGraw, Marc Caputo and Sam Stein: The senior White House adviser is set to decamp to Florida after her father's presidency comes to a close. And though talk of her launching a primary challenge to Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) has given off the faint whiff of political fan-fick, in reality, Trump officials say, there have been machinations behind the scenes. One person in contact with the president said that Jared Kushner is viewed as "working single-mindedly to protect and promote his wife's 'political career.'" And two sources, including one top GOP fundraiser, said that Trump ally and mega donor Tom Barrack had been pressing fellow Republican financiers to put together some type of operation that could lure Ivanka into entering the race. DEPARTURE LOUNGE — "After U.S. Capitol riot, voter changes in party affiliation surge in Lee, Collier counties," by Fort Myers News-Press' Bill Smith : "Political consultant and campaign manager Terry Miller, who helms many Republican campaigns in the region, gives two factors equal weight in Republican voters' decisions to join the Democratic Party or become NPA, or No Party Affiliation, voters. 'If you're mad at the Republican Party and say, 'I can't believe that this happened,' and don't want to be associated with the events at the Capitol, you're probably going to become a Democrat,' Miller said. 'If you're unhappy with the party because you felt it didn't stand up for the president, you're not going to go to the Democratic party, you're going to go independent.' Miller observed, however, that seeing trends in such a short time period is 'pure speculation.'" FIRST IN PLAYBOOK — Juan Peñalosa, the recently departed executive director for the Florida Democratic Party, is joining the firm of Amare Public Affairs as a managing director and will split time between Florida and Washington, D.C. Amare is a progressive minority-led firm founded last year by Nina Turner , a candidate for Congress who is also a former Ohio state senator and was national co-chair of Bernie Sanders' presidential campaign. Turner praised Peñalosa in a statement as someone who could help with the firm's goals to seek "economic fairness, progressive reforms, and socially-conscious solutions." She added that "Juan has been recognized throughout his career for his ability to approach campaigns with an omni-partisan lens and has advised an array of clients from top C-suite executives to public and private sectors." — " Loews Hotels cancels Florida fundraiser for GOP Sen. Josh Hawley," by the Associated Press | | TRUMPLANDIA AND THE SWAMP | | IVANKA'S WORLD — "Trump team tries to milk the politics of food boxes to its final days," by POLITICO's Helena Bottemiller Evich and Sabrina Rodriguez: The first daughter for months has been touting the USDA's Farmers to Families Food Box Program through events, social media posts and photo ops, contributing to speculation that she's looking to launch her own political career in Florida, her father's soon-to-be home and one that Trump won in both 2016 and 2020. She's been quick to claim credit for the food aid program, which she's said she helped launch last spring, at the urging of her father, to help connect surplus crops with people in need." 'A standing ovation' — Ivanka Trump's virtual confab last Wednesday — billed as a celebration — was her third food box event in the past month. It included staunch Trump supporters, such as Paula White, a longtime spiritual counselor to Donald Trump and Dave Donaldson, co-founder and chair of CityServe, an organization that connects local churches with resources. White and Donaldson showered Ivanka Trump and her family with praise. "What they've done, I think, history will record beyond what we could ever recognize," White said. "I think God's giving her a standing ovation. You're a modern day Joseph. You're feeding the nation," Donaldson said. | 
Ivanka Trump, daughter of and advisor to President Donald Trump, loads a box of fresh meat, produce and dairy in a car during a food distribution to the local community in Woodbridge, Va., Monday, Dec. 14, 2020. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) | Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP Photo | '2020 IS OVER' — "At the end of Trump era, some in Florida base ask, 'What now?'" by Palm Beach Post's Wendy Rhodes: "It is a question Annie Marie Delgado, founder of Trump Team 2020 Florida — a statewide Trump fan club with more than 20 chapters and 10,000 members — has also had to ask herself recently. Delgado on Wednesday said her group of 'Trumplicans' was planning a rally Saturday as part of a series of events across the state. But the tone going forward will be different. 'No one is bringing '#stoptehsteal' signs or anything like that,' Delgado said. 'We're just saying thank you to the president. Thank you for your service.' Delgado said the rallies will be an opportunity to unveil the organization's new name, logo and mission. Trump Team 2020 Florida is no more, she said, and will be replaced by Conservative Watch USA. "2020 is over,' she said. 'I am putting that to rest.'" FOREVER FLORIDA MAN — "Trump to flee Washington and seek rehabilitation in a MAGA oasis: Florida," by Washington Post's Philip Rucker, Josh Dawsey and Ashley Parker: "By migrating instead to Palm Beach, Fla., Trump plans to inhabit an alternative reality of adoration and affirmation. The defeated president will take up residence at his gilded Mar-a-Lago Club, where dues-paying members applaud him whenever he eats meals or mingles on the deck. He is sure to take in the same celebratory fervor whenever he plays golf at one of the two Trump-branded courses nearby. In Florida — one of only two top battleground states Trump won in November — Trump will be living in a veritable MAGA oasis, to use the acronym for his 'Make America Great Again' campaign slogan. South Florida has fast become a hub of right-wing power brokers and media characters, and some of Trump's adult children are making plans to move to the area." — "After Capitol riots, Trump's Florida supporters huddle online, plan and wait," by Tampa Bay Times' Steve Contorno, Claire McNeill and Kavitha Surana — " Trump headed to Mar-a-Lago soon: Days before Inauguration Day, moving trucks arrive," by Palm Beach Post LEAVING EARLY — "Census Bureau director stepping down after outcry over immigrant count," by POLITICO's Zach Montellaro: Steven Dillingham, who was appointed to lead the agency by President Donald Trump in early 2019 and confirmed by a voice vote in the Senate, was not set to leave the post until the end of this year. Pressure has been mounting on Dillingham and the bureau, following the Commerce Department Office of Inspector General's sending a memo last week alleging that he was pressuring bureau employees to rush a technical data report on the number of unauthorized immigrants in the country. After the OIG memo was made public, Dillingham said in a letter that he ordered those involved to "stand down" on that technical report. — "Mother of 'zip tie guy' arrested; both have significant ties to Florida and Fort Myers," by Fort Myers News-Press Michael Braun and Andy Humbles | | | | KEEP UP WITH CONGRESS IN 2021: Tensions remain high on Capitol Hill as we inaugurate a new president this week. How are lawmakers planning to move forward after a tumultuous few weeks? How will a new Senate majority impact the legislative agenda? With so much at stake, our new Huddle author Olivia Beavers brings you the most important news and critical insight from Capitol Hill with assists from POLITICO's deeply sourced Congress team. Subscribe to Huddle, the essential guide to understanding Congress. | | | | |
| | KAMALA WATCH | | 'WE'RE HERE TO DREAM' — "Kamala Harris' historic rise as U.S.'s first Black, Caribbean-American VP celebrated," by Miami Herald's Jacqueline Charles: "But on Sunday it was Harris' Caribbean roots that took center stage, as artists, politicians and other luminaries from Antigua to Barbados to Jamaica feted her historical rise as 'America's first Black Caribbean-American' vice president in a virtual celebration ahead of Wednesday's inauguration. 'We're here to celebrate,' said Felicia Persaud, a Caribbean activist who lives in Plantation. 'We're here to remember. We're here to hope. We're here to resolve. And most of all, we're here to dream.' Harris, in a short prerecorded speech, acknowledged the Caribbean-American community's role in securing her party's victory. 'You helped lay the ground work for this historic occasion,' she said. 'And now because of you, and so many others, our country is on a path to heal and rebuild.'" 45 COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED — "Kamala Harris tells Florida teens to 'lead with conviction' at MLK Jr. event," by Miami Herald's Samantha J. Gross: "Special guest Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris, the first woman and first Black person to elected to the office, gave a keynote address challenging the scholarship recipients to become role models in their own way, and to forge paths for themselves without fear of what others think. 'My fundamental belief is that each and every one of us has an extraordinary capacity of success and achievement. Each of us is full with extraordinary promise waiting to be unleashed,' Harris, who will be sworn in to office Wednesday, told scholarship winners 'Some of us have more support and opportunities the unleash potential than others ... none of us has achieved success without role models.'" | | ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... | | ARMED AT THE CAPITOL — "It's legal in Florida for certain citizens to carry guns inside the state Capitol," by Fresh Take Florida's Christopher Cann: "Rep. Anthony Sabatini, R-Clermont, one of the Legislature's staunchest gun rights advocates, said he and other state lawmakers carry their own concealed guns in the Capitol. He said he supports openly carrying guns in the Capitol and other government buildings. This year Sabatini has again proposed allowing people to carry guns on college campuses. Sabatini, who missed some committee meetings this week because he was in quarantine from a COVID-19 exposure, said he sometimes carries his gun inside legislative meetings — even though that would be explicitly prohibited under state law. A reporter called him back to be sure there was no misunderstanding. 'I carry everywhere I go,' Sabatini said. He said he has no special dispensation to carry a gun during legislative meetings." ARRESTED — "Rebekah Jones jailed, accused of illegally accessing emergency management system," by Tampa Bay Times Lawrence Mower and Miami Herald's Mary Ellen Klas: "Florida Department of Health employee-turned-whistleblower Rebekah Jones turned herself in and was arrested late Sunday on a charge that she broke into a state messaging system and encouraged people to 'speak up.' State agents say Jones, 31, accessed the emergency messaging system multiple times and downloaded a spreadsheet with the contact information of more than 19,000 Floridians who provided email addresses and phone numbers to the state 'for emergency contact purposes.' Jones announced Saturday on Twitter that there was a warrant for her arrest. She turned herself in to the Leon County Detention Facility and was booked on a charge of unauthorized access of a computer system, a third-degree felony that carries a sentence of up to 5 years in prison." — "DeSantis travels to Texas to air conservative grievances," by POLITICO's Matt Dixon — " Florida Capitol to light up in memory of COVID-19 deaths, unity with Biden-Harris inauguration," by WFLA — "FBI charges Florida veteran with plotting armed confrontation of state Capitol protesters," by POLITICO's Bruce Ritchie — " First specialty license plate removed under new Florida law," by Orlando Sentinel's Richard Tribou — "Legislature returns, but Democrats question focus of GOP leaders," by Sarasota Herald-Tribune's John Kennedy | | CORONAVIRUS UPDATES | | TROUBLING — "As many Black Floridians die, very little COVID vaccine gets to them," by Palm Beach Post's Wayne Washington and Chris Persaud: "Black Floridians have accounted for less than 5 percent of the more than 775,000 residents who got the first doses of coronavirus vaccine, state figures show, intensifying concerns that wariness of the vaccine coupled with uneven distribution of it are further marring a rollout in the Sunshine State that has largely been panned." STILL NO WORD ON ATTENDANCE FOR BIG GAME — " NFL Experience rises along Tampa waterfront as Super Bowl 55 nears," by Tampa Bay Times' Christopher Spata: "Fans who visit the Super Bowl Experience must wear masks at all times except in designated eating areas and must agree to a 'health promise,' said experience spokeswoman Elizabeth McCollum. She said capacity will be limited, though it's not yet clear how much, and queues for the various experiences will be set up in a way to keep fans spaced out while waiting in line. All payments to vendors will be cashless and 'fan safety managers' will patrol the event to ensure compliance. Everything is outdoors." — " No answers as vaccination site in The Villages shut down until further notice," by WESH's Michelle Meredith — "Former NYS Dem Party head gets vaccinated – in Florida," by New York Post's Carl Campanile and Jackie Salo — " Sarasota County's new COVID-19 vaccine registration coming Wednesday," by Sarasota Herald-Tribune's Louis Llovio | | PENINSULA AND BEYOND | | BRIEF REEMERGENCE — "Robert E. Lee bust back in Fort Myers briefly to observe Confederate general's birthday," by Fort Myers News-Press' Michael Braun: "A bust of Robert E. Lee returned briefly Sunday to the stone pillar it has been absent from in downtown Fort Myers for half a year as a small band of people gathered to celebrate the Confederate leader's birthday. The bust, often the focus of controversy, was removed by the Sons of Confederate Veterans in June 2020 and was said to be in a safe place being refurbished. An exact location was never reported. The bronze likeness of the general was back atop the gray stone obelisk for about an hour Sunday around noon as people in period garb and others laid a wreath at its base." | | ODDS, ENDS, AND FLORIDA MEN | | BIRTHDAYS: State Rep. Jayer Williamson … Dan Holler, deputy COS for Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) … Curtis Morgan, editor at The Miami Herald … (Was Monday) Former Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell … (Was Sunday) Rep. Carlos Gimenez … (Was Saturday) Meredith Beatrice, director of strategic initiatives for Gov. Ron DeSantis … Noah Bierman with the Los Angeles Times ... Christopher Nuland, attorney and lobbyist ... Former Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta
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