| | | | | |  | | By Gary Fineout | Presented by Facebook | Hello and welcome to Wednesday. Starting gun — The race for U.S. Senate is already gathering some momentum. Jumping in — Rep. Val Demings signaled last week that she has decided to challenge Sen. Marco Rubio in next year's election. That decision itself has had ripple effects throughout central Florida as candidates now launch bids to run for Demings congressional seat (See below.) Uptick — POLITICO's James Arkin points out that Demings has seen a massive surge in Facebook advertising for her congressional campaign in the past week. Demings can transfer any money raised for Congress over to a Senate race. She has spent $194,431 over a seven-day period — roughly 84 percent of the total money her campaign has spent on the platform since May 2018, according to data from the Facebook ad report. A suggestion — Arkin notes that the ads didn't explicitly say she was launching a campaign. But some ads featured a photo of Demings with "Help Val Demings Win in Florida!" over it. The text of the ad alluded to Georgia, where Democrats flipped two Senate seats this year. "The only way we can win in 2022 is by following the Georgia model of registering and turning out as many Democratic voters as possible," the ad text reads. Rebuttal — But Republicans aren't waiting on the sidelines. The Republican Party of Florida late last night launched a new one-page website — floridadems.com — that lambasts potential U.S. Senate candidates as "Pelosi's Puppets" who will — yep, you got it — "be a rubber stamp for Nancy Pelosi's socialist agenda." Right now, the site lists Demings, former Rep. Alan Grayson and former prosecutor Aramis Ayala as potential challengers. (Ayala announced today she's running for Demings seat.) Is it Pelosi v. Rubio? — "The Republican Party of Florida is proud to support Sen. Rubio, who has shown true leadership fighting against misguided policies against the left," RPOF executive director Helen Aguirre Ferré said. "It really doesn't matter which of Nancy Pelosi's puppets Florida Democrats will nominate, because each and every one will put America and Florida last as they ram through Pelosi's dangerous socialist agenda." — WHERE'S RON? — Gov. DeSantis is scheduled to be in Nashville for a meeting of the Republican Governors Association. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for Playbook? Get in touch: gfineout@politico.com | | A message from Facebook: The internet has changed a lot since 1996 - internet regulations should too
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|  | CAMPAIGN MODE | | BRACY MAKES HIS MOVE — "Florida state Sen. Bracy to run for congressional seat held by Demings," by POLITICO's Gary Fineout: State Sen. Randolph Bracy in late March hinted that he might run for governor, teasing a candidacy with a video where he said that Florida needed a governor who would work with Republicans and Democrats to deal with the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic. In that video Bracy advocated investing in broadband technology and building health centers and "leave behind the small fights at the Capitol." But Bracy — who has focused on racial justice issues, including getting the state to instruct students on the Ocoee Election Day massacre of 2020 — said he needs to take his message to Congress. "The real fight is in Washington," said Bracy. MAKING IT OFFICIAL — "Florida's Ayala jumps into race for Demings' seat," by POLITICO's Gary Fineout: Former prosecutor Aramis Ayala, who earned statewide attention for her battle against then-Gov. Rick Scott over the death penalty, was initially looking at running for the Senate, but she changed directions after it became clear that Rep. Val Demings planned to run against Rubio. "I believe this is where I can best serve," Ayala told POLITICO… Ayala called Demings a "fearless leader" and "unapologetic champion for women and people of color," adding that she would be also be a fighter for residents who care about affordable housing, living wages and environmental issues. "All Floridians need a voice in Washington," Ayala said. "I have done progressive work. I came in as a prosecutor committed to challenging the status quo." Up and running — Ayala's campaign announcement came with a nearly two-minute biographical video where she relays how she battled cancer while she was still in law school. "When a doctor looks you in the eye and tells you, 'you have 24 hours to live,' you are changed forever," Aramis says in the video. "Nearly losing my life only further strengthened my resolve to fight for justice, in all senses of the word. That's why I'm here." — "Civil rights lawyer Natalie Jackson running in CD 10," by Florida Politics' Scott Powers 'IT WAS POLITICAL THEATER' — "Florida elections supervisors scramble to comply with controversial, costly, confusing voting law," by USA Today Network-Florida's Jeffrey Schweers: "The USA TODAY NETWORK-Florida reached out to nine election supervisors from around the state for this review of the new election law, which is so controversial it already faces at least three separate legal challenges on the grounds it is unconstitutional and has advocacy groups publishing ads urging Florida corporations to denounce it. 'It was political theater without a doubt,' said Mark Earley, Supervisor of Elections in predominantly Democratic Leon County and the supervisor association's vice president. 'There was no fraud.'" THE OTHER PART OF BEING GOVERNOR — "Broward lawyer's long-delayed exit hobbles elections panel, but it's mostly DeSantis' fault," by Sun Sentinel's Steve Bousquet: "A statewide commission with power to issue fines for violations of Florida election laws has too few members to transact business, and the panel has suffered from obvious indifference under Gov. Ron DeSantis. What makes his inaction more remarkable is that the Florida Elections Commission is responsible for enforcing the new law DeSantis signed amid great fanfare Tuesday that would punish social media goliaths such as Facebook and Twitter for de-platforming politicians… Since he took office two-and-a-half years ago, DeSantis has appointed no one to the commission." | | | | SUBSCRIBE TO "THE RECAST" TODAY: Power is shifting in Washington and in communities across the country. More people are demanding a seat at the table, insisting that politics is personal and not all policy is equitable. The Recast is a twice-weekly newsletter that explores the changing power dynamics in Washington and breaks down how race and identity are recasting politics and policy in America. Get fresh insights, scoops and dispatches on this crucial intersection from across the country and hear critical new voices that challenge business as usual. Don't miss out, SUBSCRIBE . Thank you to our sponsor, Intel. | | | | |
| | ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... | | AFTERMATH — "States passed 243 policing bills — and left activists wanting," by POLITICO's Liz Crampton: Florida has been the most aggressive on this by recently passing the toughest anti-protest legislation in the country. In direct response to the Black Lives Matter movement, Gov. Ron DeSantis last month signed a law that provides new protections for police and increased the penalties for people who take part in property damage or violence during protests. Buried in the bill is provision that allows any city council member or state attorney to challenge a municipal budget that reduces police funding — appealing all the way up to the governor, who can then reject that budget proposal. Fallout — That could have immediate consequences for the city of St. Petersburg, which this year rerouted about $850,000 in funds earmarked to hire 25 new police officers to instead create a program that dispatches social workers to handle certain calls typically handled by law enforcement, such as wellness checks and interactions with people experiencing homelessness. The program was designed with the support of the local police department and mayor. ANOTHER ONE — "Gainesville may sue state over 'anti-riot' law," by The Gainesville Sun's John Henderson: "Against the advice of their attorney, Gainesville city commissioners have taken a first step toward possibly suing the state over controversial House Bill 1, also known as the "anti-riot" law. The City Commission on Thursday instructed legal staff, working with nonprofit groups that have agreed to handle the legal costs, to draft a lawsuit that would challenge the new law. The Community Justice Project and The Public Rights Project organizations have agreed to file the suit, with the city named as a plaintiff in the case. Commissioners asked that the complaint come back in a month for their review." | 
A group of around 150 protesters from around the state gathered at the Florida Historic Capitol to stand in opposition to HB 1/SB 484, "anti-riot" legislation proposed by Gov. Ron DeSantis Tuesday, March 2, 2021. | Courtesy of Tori Lynn Schneider/Tallahassee Democrat | DONE WITH LITTLE FANFARE — "Florida governor signs bill for Seminole sports betting deal," by The Associated Press: "The Seminole Tribe would be able to operate sports betting and add roulette and craps to its casinos and Florida would potentially receive $20 billion over the next 30 years, under legislation signed by the governor Tuesday. Gov. Ron DeSantis had worked out the gambling compact with the tribe last month, and the Florida House and Senate approved the deal last week. It still needs to be approved by the U.S. Department of the Interior, which oversees tribal gambling operations, and even lawmakers supporting the deal expect legal challenges." SCHOOL DAZE — "DeSantis, Corcoran want to keep 'crazy liberal stuff' out of civics lessons in Florida schools," by Orlando Sentinel's Leslie Postal: "Ron DeSantis ran for governor promising to make civics education a priority in Florida's public schools. He's fulfilling that by pushing reforms to celebrate 'the success of the United States' and to ensure no one is 'teaching kids to hate their country.' But critics see his efforts as injecting 'highly partisan' and 'highly biased' content into the curriculum, with an inappropriate dose of religious values. They don't like that proposed academic benchmarks ask students to understand 'the influence of the Ten Commandments' and identify 'disorderly protesting' as a characteristic of 'irresponsible citizenship.'" — "Visit Florida looks to boost international tourism," by News Service of Florida's Jim Turner | | DATELINE D.C. | | PRESSURE? — "Central Florida advocates call for Rick Scott, Marco Rubio to back immigration bills," by Orlando Sentinel's Lisa Maria Garza: "Civic and business leaders in Central Florida advocated Tuesday for the passage of immigration bills they say would help boost the economy of a tourism region dependent on workers temporarily shielded from deportation by various policies. Through a virtual bipartisan panel hosted by the American Business Immigration Coalition and IMPAC Fund, Democratic Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer was among supporters urging Florida's Republican U.S. Sens. Rick Scott and Marco Rubio to back legislation that would provide a citizenship path for immigrants relying on reprieves from Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals and Temporary Protected Status." Request and response — "Dyer noted that almost 20% of Orlando residents were born in another country. He credited their work and entrepreneurship that 'fuels our economy' and said 'it's time for our country to come together and pass humane immigration reform.' In a statement, Scott's spokesperson Sarah Schwirian said the senator 'has been clear that he supports legal immigration and a permanent solution for DACA and TPS,' but that 'any immigration proposal needs to secure the border.'" BALLARD ADDS ANOTHER DEMOCRAT — (From POLITICO Influence): Ballard Partners, one of the go-to lobbying firms for those looking to influence the Trump administration, is adding another Democrat as the firm repositions itself to lobby President Joe Biden's Washington. The firm has hired John O'Hanlon, one of the co-founders of the Washington Group, where he worked alongside John D. Raffaelli (who went on to start Capitol Counsel) and former Rep. Susan Molinari (R-N.Y.) (who later became Google's top lobbyist). — Ketchum bought the Washington Group in 2001, and the firm later merged with Clark & Weinstock, which is now part of Mercury Public Affairs following another merger. O'Hanlon, meanwhile, moved to Maine with his family. But he "was always looking to get back into lobbying" with the right firm, he said in an interview, and he's back in Washington now. He's one of several Democrats Ballard has hired since November, including Tola Thompson, who was until recently chief of staff to Rep. Al Lawson (D-Fla.). | | | |   | | |
| | CORONAVIRUS UPDATES | | The daily rundown — Between Monday and Tuesday, the number of Florida coronavirus cases increased by 1,874 to 2,313,815; active hospitalizations decreased by 10 (nearly 0.5 percent), to 2,116; deaths of Florida residents rose by 80 (0.2 percent), to 36,581; 10,075,311 Floridians have received at least one dose of a vaccine. 'WE FOUND SOMETHING ELSE' — "'The final straw': How the pandemic pushed restaurant workers over the edge," by Washington Post's Eli Rosenberg: "[Jazz Salm] said she may return eventually to the food service industry in Florida, where restaurant owners have complained vociferously about the worker shortage, but it will take her time. She won't be fully vaccinated until mid-June, for starters. And she wonders about getting trained and going into medical caregiving full time. 'I'm trying to trust the process and hope that this all works out and there's not another spike or anything else,' she said. 'The restaurant industry really doesn't guarantee the money that I used to make, with this pandemic. Because if it flares up again, or God forbid something happens in the restaurant, you have to close it down, you're out of work for weeks and there's nothing you can do to make money. Other than find another job.'" — "Ousted dashboard designer's claims don't add up, former colleagues and experts say," by CBS12's Jay O'Brien — " Royal Caribbean allowed to start test cruises in June, becoming first company to do so," by Forbes Nicholas Reimann — "New Florida law protects against pandemic-related fraud," by Associated Press | | | | Did you know that POLITICO Pro has coverage and tools at the state level? All the state legislative and regulatory tracking, budget documents, state agency contact information, and everything else you need to stay ahead of state policy movement integrate into our smart and customizable platform. Learn more and become a Pro today. | | | | |
| | THE GUNSHINE STATE | | PAYOUT — "Broward Sheriff's Office settles lawsuit for $2.5 million in killing of man holding an air rifle," by Sun Sentinel's Rafael Olmeda: "The Broward Sheriff's Office has agreed to pay $2.5 million to the mother of a 33-year-old Oakland Park man killed by a Broward deputy who mistook the man's air rifle for a deadlier weapon in 2013. The shooting of Jermaine McBean helped shape Florida law, prompting the state Supreme Court to determine that law enforcement officers are just as entitled to the protections of the Stand Your Ground law as civilian citizens." | | PENINSULA AND BEYOND | | 'A COMPLETE TRANSFORMATION' — "'A new Maria': How Puerto Rico's population decline could be the island's next crisis," by El Nuevo Herald's Syra Ortiz-Blanes: "[Sheilla] Rodríguez is one of the hundreds of thousands of Puerto Ricans who have left the island in the last decade, a migration propelled by an economic crisis and a string of natural disasters that have devastated Puerto Rico in recent years. 'We love Puerto Rico. It's our country. However, objectively speaking, we need to recognize that it's a country in deterioration and at a political crossroads. If it doesn't come out of it, things could get much worse,' she said. The island's population declined 11.8% between 2010 and 2020, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, whose results are used to determine billions of dollars in public funding." FOUL BALL — "Tampa Bay Rays call lawsuit 'deceptive,' 'inflammatory,' and 'fraught with error,'" by Tampa Bay Times' Josh Solomon: "The Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday responded to a lawsuit that minority owners filed over the weekend against principal owner Stu Sternberg, alleging he has tried to pry away control of the organization and engaged in secret talks with Montreal investors in 2014 to sell a stake of the team. 'We are disappointed that a handful of our limited partners have filed suit. The suit is deceptive and inflammatory and is fraught with error and falsehood. We have abided by the partnership agreement and the Tropicana Field use agreement,' the team's statement read." — "Duval superintendent Diana Greene recommends renaming 6 confederate-tied schools," by Florida Times-Union Emily Bloch — "Second man on Florida's death row to have DNA testing after prosecutor signs off," by Tampa Bay Times' Leonora LaPeter Anton — "Pensacola Bay Bridge on track to reopen next week — maybe sooner — as final steps wrap up," by Pensacola News-Journal's Emma Kennedy | | A message from Facebook: Why Facebook supports updated internet regulations
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| | ODDS, ENDS, AND FLORIDA MEN | | — "Suspect arrested in South Florida synagogue harassment," by Associated Press: "Police have arrested a man who they say yelled antisemitic remarks at a rabbi and dumped a bag of human feces in front of a South Florida synagogue. Hallandale Beach police arrested Jeffrey Carl Fleming on Monday on charges of felony stalking with a hate crime enhancement and littering human waste. Fleming was being held Tuesday on $11,000 bond at the Broward County Jail. Details on his arrest were not released. Capt. Pedro Abut said in a statement that Fleming, 39, is the man captured on cellphone video who went on a rant outside the Chabad of South Broward on Friday." BIRTHDAYS: Former Rep. Rich Nugent (R-Fla.) … Dan Krassner, political director at RepresentUS
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