News: POLITICO Florida Playbook: DeSantis beefs up his fundraising efforts — NRA appeals Parkland ruling

Thursday, July 8, 2021

POLITICO Florida Playbook: DeSantis beefs up his fundraising efforts — NRA appeals Parkland ruling — Surfside death toll rises to 46

Jul 08, 2021

Hello and welcome to Thursday.

2022 — There is no close watcher of Florida politics who does not think Gov. Ron DeSantis isn't a heavy favorite going into his re-election. He has raised more than $25 million in the past few months, while his likely opponents have collected a fraction of that. Those primary numbers are not the be all end all, as Democratic money will flow in the general, but most Republicans see DeSantis in one place: A good one.

Expanding the reach — That number appears ready to spike as the governor has hired another outside fundraising firm for his political committee beyond HMB Strategies, which is owned by Heather Barker, DeSantis' longtime fundraiser. The new non-Barker crew is helping expand the governor's footprint. Prepare to see more mentions of California, Las Vegas, Texas and New York on the campaign finance reports as DeSantis' team prepares for what is likely next.

The thought process — Here is how those who have some understanding of DeSantis' operation put it: "With a successful legislative session behind him and re-election in front of him, he is having great success raising money both in the state and outside." Translation: Game one.

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... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ...

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis holds up a signed bill.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis holds up a signed bill. | Lynne Sladky/AP Photo

RAISING COIN — "DeSantis boosts fundraising operation ahead of 2022," by POLITICO's Matt Dixon: Gov. Ron DeSantis is expanding his fundraising operation ahead of the 2022 election cycle, bringing in an additional consulting firm as he builds a huge cash advantage over his Democratic challengers. DeSantis has not yet announced that he's running for reelection or set up an official campaign account. But his separate political committee and de facto full-time campaign arm has been bringing in millions of dollars as his focus turns to the campaign trail, an effort helped by his rising stock with conservatives across the country.

FIGHT GOES ON — "NRA appeals after Florida judge tosses Parkland law legal challenge," by POLITICO's Matt Dixon: The National Rifle Association is appealing a federal judge's decision last week to toss its three-year challenge to overturn a 2018 Florida law that bans people under the age of 21 from buying guns. That 2018 law was passed in the wake of the Parkland school shooting that left 17 people dead.

TODAY IN CONGRESS

FLORIDA MEN — "US Capitol police to open office in Tampa after Jan. 6 attack," by News Service of Florida: "Six months after supporters of former President Donald Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol, the U.S. Capitol Police will open a field office in Tampa to investigate threats to members of Congress. In a news release Tuesday titled, "After the Attack: The Future of the U.S. Capitol Police," the agency detailed changes since Jan. 6, including boosting recruiting, training and equipment for officers."

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Driving the Day

TRAGEDY CONTINUES — "'We haven't transitioned.' Rescue efforts in Surfside continue as death toll reaches 46," by Miami Herald's Marin Vassolo, Ben Conarck, and Samantha J. Gross: "On the 14th day of searching, 10 more victims and additional human remains were recovered from the rubble of what was once Champlain Towers South, Miami-Dade Fire Chief of Operations Ray Jadallah told families in a private briefing Wednesday. The rescue effort is not slowing, despite the period of time lapsed since the sudden collapse in the early hours of Thursday, June 24."

REVIEW BEGINS — " The Florida Bar creates task force to review condo law after Surfside collapse," by Miami Herald's Ana Ceballos: "The Florida Bar has assembled a collection of experts to conduct a thorough review of the state's condominium laws and make policy recommendations to state lawmakers and Gov. Ron DeSantis that could prevent future tragedies like the collapse of the Champlain Towers South building in Surfside. The task force, which is scheduled to meet for the first time Friday, will be reviewing state laws and regulations that govern, among many things, how condominium boards operate and manage reserves for maintenance and repair costs, as well as how often condominium buildings need to undergo inspections."

WHAT'S NEXT? — "Memorial park? As court weighs sale of Surfside property, debate starts over future of site," by Miami Herald's Daid Ovalle and Marie-Rose Sheinerman: "Even as search teams continue to sift for remains in the rubble of the Champlain Towers South, debate over the future of the beachfront site had already begun Wednesday in a MIami-Dade County courtroom. Should it be a memorial or sold to developers to erect another condo — a deal that could help compensate victims of the tragedy?"

NEVER THE SAME — "Gov. Ron DeSantis: Surfside collapse a 'unique tragedy,' will have a lasting impact on Florida," by Tallahassee Democrat's James Call: "Gov. Ron DeSantis said the June 24 collapse of a 12-story Surfside condominium building will change Florida in a profound way. DeSantis called the apparent cave-in of the residential building a 'unique tragedy.' At least 46 people died, and more than 100 others are missing with the resumption of a search and rescue after Tropical Storm Elsa swept through the area earlier this week."

TRAGIC VIEW — "Surfside condo collapse: For first time, reporters get close up look at the pile of rubble," by Palm Beach Post's Wendy Rhodes: " For the first time since the Champlain Towers South partially collapsed on June 24, journalists Tuesday were given a close-up look at the rubble. Immediately after the collapse, officials blocked off the area and closed down streets nearby. Journalists were restricted from getting close to the site, usually being forced to stand about half a block away. But in groups of about 25, officials Tuesday evening took reporters and photographers to the site."

ASSASSINATION — "Haiti President Jovenel Moïse assassinated in middle-of-the-night attack at his home," by Miami Herald's Jacqueline Charles and Johnny Fils-Aime: "Haitian President Jovenel Moïse was killed and his wife shot during an armed attack in the early hours of Wednesday at their private residence above the hills of Port-au-Prince, the country's acting prime minister, Claude Joseph, said. In a statement from the prime minister's office, Joseph said the attack occurred around 1 a.m. Wednesday, and some of the unidentified assailants spoke Spanish. The head of state, the statement said, was 'fatally injured.'"

— " Biden calls assassination of Haiti president a 'heinous act,' offers U.S. assistance," by Miami Herald's Michael Wilner and Francesca Chambers

— "'I have nothing of my parents.' Survivors reflect after Surfside tower is demolished." by Miami Herald's Marie-Rose Sheinerman

HOW TO BE REMEMBERED — "Memorial park? As court weighs sale of Surfside property, debate starts over future of site," by Miami Herald's Daid Ovalle and Marie-Rose Sheinerman: "Even as search teams continue to sift for remains in the rubble of the Champlain Towers South, debate over the future of the beachfront site had already begun Wednesday in a MIami-Dade County courtroom. Should it be a memorial or sold to developers to erect another condo — a deal that could help compensate victims of the tragedy?"

TRAGIC VIEW — "Surfside condo collapse: For first time, reporters get close up look at the pile of rubble," by Palm Beach Post's Wendy Rhodes: "For the first time since the Champlain Towers South partially collapsed on June 24, journalists Tuesday were given a close-up look at the rubble. Immediately after the collapse, officials blocked off the area and closed down streets nearby. Journalists were restricted from getting close to the site, usually being forced to stand about half a block away. But in groups of about 25, officials Tuesday evening took reporters and photographers to the site."

...HURRICANE HOLE...

RAIN EVENT — "North Port deluge by Elsas, other Sarasota, Manatee impacts limited," by Sarasota Herald-Tribune's Patricia McKnight, Jesse Mendoz, and Earle Kime: "Though Tropical Storm Elsa technically reached hurricane strength while it was offshore from Manatee and Sarasota counties Tuesday night and early Wednesday, the area escaped significant damage, with mostly rain and modest wind damage as it moved up the Gulf coast. North Port had the most impact with 10 to 11 inches falling there, according to the National Weather Service in Ruskin. North Port Fire Chief Scott Titus said in a video interview that one band of Elsa that stayed over the city for 3½ hours."

Covid-19 Update

NOPE — "Judge denies CDC request to keep COVID-19 crusie rules in place during appeal," by Miami Herald's Taylor Dolven: "A federal judge denied a request Wednesday from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to keep its COVID-19 safety regulations for Florida cruises in effect, clearing the path for them to turn into simply recommendations on July 18. The CDC asked U.S. District Judge Steven Merryday of the Middle District of Florida to lift the deadline — part of a preliminary injunction he put in place last month after Gov. Ron DeSantis sued the CDC in April — while the case goes through the appeal process."

PENINSULA AND BEYOND

WOKE COURT — "Academy of the Holy Names is too 'woke,' not Catholic enough, lawsuit says," by Tampa Bay Times' Divya Kumar: "At a fundraising gala in 2017, Anthony and Barbara Scarpo announced they had pledged $1.35 million to 'our cherished' Academy of the Holy Names, a Catholic school in Tampa attended by their two daughters. The couple asked for their donation to be used toward the school's master plan and for scholarships for disadvantaged students. They were named chairs of the academy's fundraising campaign and the school renamed its auditorium the 'Scarpo Family Theatre.'"

DENIED — " No mercy for former Broward deputy convicted of using excessive force," South Florida Sun-Sentinel's Rafael Olmeda: "Former Broward Sheriff's Deputy Justin Lambert went before a judge Wednesday to plead for mercy. He was denied. Convicted two years ago of using excessive force on a drunk, belligerent man outside a Deerfield Beach gas station, Lambert, 40, told Broward Circuit Judge Daniel Casey on Wednesday that he was having trouble finding meaningful work and supporting his family because he has to admit he is a felon when he fills out job applications."

— "Racist graffiti, vandalism in Joe Moody Harris Park prompt public outcry for city cleanup," by Panama City News Herald's Tony Mixon

— "Milton moves forward with Berryhill Bridge concept, even though FDOT won't fund it," by Pensacola News Journal's Annie Blanks

— "Days after telling residents it violated contaminants standard, West Palm insists water is safe," by Palm Beach Post's Wayne Washington

ODDS, ENDS, AND FLORIDA MEN

BIRTHDAYS: Former Miami Herald reporter Marty Merzer ... former Department of Lottery spokeswoman Connie Barnes … Douglas Mannheimer with Nelson Mullins