| | | | | |  | | By Gary Fineout | Presented by USA-IT | Hello and welcome to Friday. The pitch — Anna Paulina Luna traveled to Bedminster, N.J., in September for a 45-minute meeting with former President Donald Trump — an effort to put her on a pathway to Congress. It worked — Trump endorsed the Air Force veteran and one-time model who unsuccessfully challenged Rep. Charlie Crist in 2020, and is running for the seat again now that Crist is running for governor. He called her a "warrior" and a "winner" and labeled her opponents as RINOs. But guess what? — Trump's endorsement isn't clearing the field on the Republican side. Instead, the contest for Florida's 13th Congressional District — a natural opportunity for a Republican pickup — is already veering into a bitter and potentially damaging contest for the GOP. Made for TV — You want drama? It's here. From court hearings over alleged murder threats made against Luna to one-time Trump ally Roger Stone ripping into Luna and contending that Trump will rescind his endorsement once he finds out more about her. Choices — Luna — who has had backing from strong voices in MAGA world such as Rep. Matt Gaetz and Charlie Kirk — is confident that she will remain in Trump's good graces. And she says "if President Trump endorsed anyone over me, I would drop out." Staying put — But that's not happening. Amanda Makki, who also ran for the seat in 2020, is back in the race and she is promising to go after Luna by arguing she has had quite the make-over in recent years (including Luna's past statements of support for Barack Obama). Makki called Luna a "phony" but has also called her "irresponsible" and "dangerous" for telling police that Makki was plotting with another potential candidate to "take her out." (This was based on some text messages sent by another person.) Makki for her part has racked up endorsements from several mayors in Pinellas County. Pushing ahead — Another Republican and longtime Pinellas County resident — Audrey Henson — also jumped into the race just days before the Trump endorsement and she has no plans to drop out either. "I'm fully supportive of the president," Henson said this week but adds "I've already talked to 2,000 voters in last 17 days. They want someone who is going to put Pinellas first. That's what the race is about." — WHERE'S RON? — Nothing official announced for Gov. DeSantis. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for Playbook? Get in touch: gfineout@politico.com | | | | A message from USA-IT: With world-class beaches along 1,350 miles of shoreline, what makes Florida such an attractive place to live also makes it attractive to smugglers and traffickers. This illegal trade affects the safety and quality of life of all 21 million Floridians. Florida deserves better. And that's why our partners are proud to be on the ground in 2021. United to safeguard Florida from illegal trade, we're working together to fight back. Learn more. | | |
|  | CAMPAIGN MODE | | ONE TO WATCH — "GOP infighting spoils chance to retake Crist's Florida seat," by POLITICO's Gary Fineout: Alleged murder threats. Court battles. Stinging attacks between rival Republicans. In a race that the GOP views as one of its best pickup opportunities in Florida, things are getting messy. And it doesn't look like an endorsement from former President Donald Trump will change that. "A lot of embarrassing drama" is how Audrey Henson, who is vying for Florida's open 13th congressional district, summarizes what's been going on. CLOSING THE GAP — " DeSantis pours $2M into Florida GOP's voter registration effort," by POLITICO's Matt Dixon: The overall registration push has been fueled, in large part, by DeSantis, who has contributed nearly $2 million, a previously unreported number, into the Republican Party of Florida specifically for registration efforts. "This did not happen overnight," said RPOF Executive Director Helen Aguirre Ferré. "In the 2018 midterms, Florida Democrats had an advantage of 265,251 and since his inauguration in 2019, Governor DeSantis has been laser focused on overtaking Democrats in voter registration." STAFFING UP — Lourdes Diaz is joining Charlie Crist's gubernatorial campaign team as senior adviser for Hispanic outreach and media. Diaz, a Broward County resident and Democratic Party precinct committeeperson, is a veteran Hispanic market and media strategist who has worked on multiple bilingual and Spanish-dominant programs including work for Barack Obama's 2008 and 2012 campaigns and the 2020 campaign for Joe Biden. UPHILL BATTLE — "Facing a historic challenge, Florida Democrats stumble against DeSantis," by Washington Post's Tim Craig: "Yet as they seek to defeat [Gov. Ron] DeSantis's brash style of conservatism, Florida Democrats have been battered by internal divisions over strategy and messaging, lackluster fundraising and a flailing voter registration effort, even as the state's population gets more diverse. For the first time in history, there are nearly as many Republicans registered in Florida as there are Democrats. The state continues to drift to the right even as new census data shows White residents have slipped to 51 percent of the state's population. 'We have failed to counter Republican propaganda, which has been especially aimed at Independent and no-party affiliated voters," said Steve Simeonidis, a former chairman of the Miami-Dade Democratic Party." — "DeSantis says he's running for reelection, but he's not ready to disclose the details," by Miami Herald's Mary Ellen Klas — " CD 20 debate highlights broad agreement on the issues, contrasting experience," by Florida Politics' Anne Geggis — "Where do Democrats running in Florida's bluest congressional district stand on issues?" by Miami Herald's Alex Daugherty and C. Isaiah Smalls II | | | | HAPPENING TODAY - DON'T MISS THIS PLAYBOOK INTERVIEW WITH REP. GOTTHEIMER AS THE HOUSE PREPARES TO VOTE : President Biden's domestic agenda is on the line, with a $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill slated for a House vote on Thursday. However, moderate and progressive Democrats remain at odds over a larger, multitrillion-dollar spending package — with the left even threatening to tank Thursday's vote. Join Playbook co-author Rachael Bade for a virtual conversation featuring Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.), the leader of the centrists urging his colleagues to take the win Thursday and continue working on the second package in the coming days. REGISTER HERE. | | | | |
| | CORONAVIRUS UPDATES | | The daily rundown — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that there were 4,938 Covid-19 infections on Wednesday. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reported that 5,797 beds were being used in the state for Covid-19 patients. The Florida Hospital Association reported Thursday that 23.4 percent of adult patients in intensive care units are infected with Covid-19. FOR YOUR RADAR — "Florida hasn't issued any fines under its 'vaccine passport' law so far," by Orlando Sentinel's Austin Fuller: "Florida is investigating 43 businesses or governments for possibly violating the state's 2-week-old COVID 'vaccine passport' law, but no one has yet been issued a $5,000 fine, health officials said Thursday. 'Applicable entities that are found to be in violation will be fined,' said Department of Health communications director Weesam Khoury. Khoury did not provide specifics on who was being investigated, despite a public-records request seeking that information submitted by the Orlando Sentinel on Sept. 16." But wait, wait, wait — "Cruise lines are requiring proof of vaccination from eligible passengers despite the law after Norwegian Cruise Line filed suit over the statute and a federal judge granted a temporary injunction to block the state from enforcing it with NCL. The state won't apply the law to any cruise lines until its appeal of the injunction is decided by the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals, [Christina] Pushaw said." 'ANOTHER PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS' — "Fight over COVID-19 vaccines may keep some kids from traditional back-to-school shots," by USA Today Network-Florida's John Kennedy: "With COVID-19 vaccinations a political battleground, fallout from the fight could be filtering down to Florida schools: In some counties, not enough kids are getting their routine back-to-school shots. And public health officials worry when even a small amount of schoolchildren aren't immunized for measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria and more. They fear the combative divide over COVID-19 vaccinations — driven by so much misinformation — is creating a new threat in Florida classrooms." READY TO RUMBLE — " Demings pushes back against DeSantis' 'usurpation of epic proportion' for proposing to fine Orange County," by Orlando Sentinel's Stephen Hudak and Ryan Gillespie: "Orange County will fight any efforts by state officials to impose potentially millions of dollars in fines for Mayor Jerry Demings' mandate requiring employees to get vaccinated for COVID-19 or face discipline, according to a fiery response he wrote Wednesday. Demings promised Florida Health Department officials the county would 'vigorously defend itself' and could seek reimbursement of legal fees and costs." | | | |   | | |
| | DATELINE D.C. | | RUBIO'S DELICATE BALANCING ACT — Sen. Marco Rubio gave a lengthy interview on Thursday as part of The Atlantic Festival where he vented about Gen. Mark Milley (still thinks he should step down), expressed how he thinks vaccine mandates won't work (but he's pro-vaccination), and explained that if Democrats want to "ram our agenda down your throat" on $3.5 trillion in spending then they won't get Republican help on increasing the debt limit. What about the president? — But in the interview with Kelly O'Donnell from NBC News, Rubio zigged and zagged when it came to former President Donald Trump. Rubio, who has already been endorsed by Trump, called him the most "influential" and "popular Republican" in the country. But then he sort of sidestepped a question about Trump's false assertion the election was rigged or his downplaying of the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol. Instead, Rubio said Trump had "strong opinions" on different topics and some people agree with him and some don't. He was asked if he agreed with those opinions but chose to focus on Covid-19 and the need for vaccinations. | 
WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 10: Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee Chairman Marco Rubio (R-FL) presides over a hearing on June 10, 2020 in Washington, DC. The committee is examining the implementation of the CARES Act, which has handed out billions of dollars of government-backed forgivable loans to small-business owners that keep employees on their payroll. (Photo by Al-Drago-Pool/Getty Images) | Al-Drago/Getty Images | BROKEN PROMISES — "Pelosi delays infrastructure vote as Democrats struggle to reach deal," by POLITICO's Sarah Ferris, Heather Caygle and Nicholas Wu: Speaker Nancy Pelosi pushed off a planned vote on a bipartisan infrastructure bill late Thursday after top Democrats in the House, Senate and the White House failed to reach a deal to pass the legislation. Pelosi and other top Democrats engaged in hours of frenetic negotiations, hoping to produce a bicameral deal on President Joe Biden's broader social spending package, which progressives had demanded in exchange for their votes on the Senate-passed infrastructure bill. TRANSITIONS — Sen. Rick Scott has brought on Alexandra "Alex" Ojeda to serve as his state director. Ojeda recently worked as counsel for public affairs for Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody. Ojeda had previously worked for two years as Scott's Hispanic press secretary and worked on Scott's 2018 Senate campaign as Hispanic regional political director. Ojeda takes the place of outgoing state director John Tupps. — "Florida senators rebuke Mexican president for receiving Cuban, Venezuelan leaders," by The Hill's Rafael Bernal | | | | BECOME A GLOBAL INSIDER: The world is more connected than ever. It has never been more essential to identify, unpack and analyze important news, trends and decisions shaping our future — and we've got you covered! Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, Global Insider author Ryan Heath navigates the global news maze and connects you to power players and events changing our world. Don't miss out on this influential global community. Subscribe now. | | | | |
| | ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... | | HOW DOES THIS HAPPEN? — "FDOT awards Skanska $81M contract, despite nearly 1,000 lawsuits over Pensacola Bay Bridge," by Pensacola News Journal's Emma Kennedy: "The Florida Department of Transportation last week awarded Skanska an $81.7 million contract for an interstate project near Tampa, disappointing Northwest Florida legislators who are still waiting for a resolution after the Pensacola Bay Bridge outage." — "Docs who help transgender youth could face prison time under Anthony Sabatini bill," by Florida Politics' Christine Jordan Sexton — "Out of the nest: Lawmaker wants mockingbird ousted as state bird of Florida," by USA Today Network-Florida's James Call — "Florida lawmaker files bipartisan bill to add cameras to school bus stop signs," by Orlando Sentinel's Steven Lemongello | | PENINSULA AND BEYOND | | MOVING QUICKLY — "Judge approves $120 million sale of Surfside collapse site but bidding may not be over," by Miami Herald's Martin Vassolo: "A Miami-Dade Circuit judge on Thursday approved a sale agreement for the nearly 2-acre oceanside property where the 12-story Champlain Towers South condo collapsed in Surfside, killing 98 people. If no higher bids are approved, the property at 8777 Collins Ave. will be sold for $120 million and turned over to billionaire real estate developer Hussain Sajwani by spring 2022 for the construction of a new luxury high-rise." HMM — " Police chief put on leave while secret accusations are investigated," by Sun Sentinel's Lisa J. Huriash: "Margate's police chief was removed Thursday as the city's top cop while turmoil continues to roil a department he has led for three years. City commissioners agreed in an emergency meeting to require Police Chief Jonathan Shaw to turn in his badge and gun after allegations that no one would discuss publicly, other than to say two complaints were made against the chief recently." — "Miami mayoral candidate Frank Pichel wanted in Keys on felony charge of impersonating a cop," by Miami Herald's David Ovalle, David Goodhue, Joey Flechas and Charles Rabin | | | | A message from USA-IT: The very things that make Florida such a wonderful place to live—a vibrant, populous state with 14 major ports, advanced transportation infrastructure, and of course world-famous beaches and shoreline (the 2nd longest in the United States)—also make it attractive to smugglers and traffickers. This illegal trade hurts local taxpayers, local economies and the senior citizen community, ultimately affecting the safety and quality of life of all 21 million Floridians.
Private-public partnerships can help address this problem. That's why our partners are proud to be on the ground in 2021, bringing our shared expertise combating illegal trade into Florida's fight. Along with governments and local law enforcement, we're working together to fight back. Learn more. | | |
| | ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN | | — "Disney World moves into full 50th-anniversary mode," by Orlando Sentinel's Dewayne Bevil: "Expect Main Street U.S.A. to be more crowded 50 years later. Visitors will see a park in full celebration mode, from the tip of the bejeweled Cinderella Castle down to the shiny new name tags for Disney World employees. The resort also is introducing attractions that will affect the theme parks for months and years to come. New shows will debut Friday at Magic Kingdom, Disney's Animal Kingdom and Epcot, which will also welcome a dark ride called Remy's Ratatouille Adventure. 'We have some surprises in store for our guests. .... I think that I think it'll be a day for the memory books,' Melissa Valiquette, vice president for Magic Kingdom, said Thursday." — "In viral video, Florida man catches alligator in trash can. Fish & wildlife says call the experts," by The Daily Commercial's Jennifer Sangalang: "If you see an alligator in Florida, please, don't use a garbage can to catch it. So says the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission. In a viral video posted Tuesday, 26-year-old Eugene Bozzi of Mount Dora approached an alligator on his driveway with an open trash container, scooped it up and closed the lid. Bozzi then released the gator minutes later in a nearby pond." BIRTHDAYS: Jennifer Storipan, former executive director of the Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration ... Ryan Banfill, founder of The Message Clinic … economics professor Nikolai Wenzel
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