| | | | |  | | By Gary Fineout | Presented by CVS Health | Good Tuesday morning. The Rhythm of the Heat — Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried is turning to a familiar Floridian to help her campaign amid a restructuring that saw her campaign manager move on to "other opportunities" just months before the Democratic primary for governor. D.I.Y. — Fried's chief of staff, Matthew Van Name, is stepping away from his job in the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to become senior adviser and strategic manager for the campaign — an operation that has struggled to keep up with primary rival Charlie Crist in fundraising. Games Without Frontiers — "Matthew has been fighting by my side since day one and I couldn't be any more pumped that he's coming to the campaign side to get us organized, ready, and fired up to win this primary and beat Ron DeSantis," Fried said in a statement shared with Playbook. "Democrats haven't won the governor's office since 1994, and to do so, we're going to have to be all-in and try something new. That's exactly what we're doing. It's about to get real." Steam — Farah Melendez, who had been political director for the Democratic Attorneys General Association, was brought on board with great fanfare to helm Fried's campaign back in September. But she is departing less than five months into the job. Van Name has previous Florida campaign experience, including working on Crist's congressional campaign in 2016 and Philip Levine's campaign for governor in 2018. Don't Give Up — "The whole world is watching what we do here — we can't lose," Van Name said in a statement. "That's why I'm doing this. We have to stop Ron DeSantis and that only happens if we're all-in from now until Tuesday, November 8, 2022." Sledgehammer — Fried's campaign — pointing to a recent poll that showed Fried and Crist within the margin of error — maintained in an internal memo circulated last week they are exactly where they need to be six months before the primary. The memo also stated that "once Nikki starts beating Charlie in public polling she never looks back." But a new poll coming out this morning from Mason-Dixon Polling & Strategy finds Crist up by double digits — 44 percent to 27 percent — over Fried. — 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 CVS Health: Throughout the pandemic, in communities across the country, CVS Health has been there. We've opened more than 4,800 COVID-19 test sites, administered 41 million tests and given 59 million vaccines. We've expanded access to prenatal and postpartum care via telemedicine, increased remote access to mental health services and invested in affordable housing to help build healthier communities. We've been on the frontlines, making health care easier to access and afford. Learn more. | | | |  | CAMPAIGN MODE | | DESANTIS ON SOLID GROUND — That new poll from Mason Dixon Polling & Strategy also shows that Gov. Ron DeSantis ' job approval rating remains relatively unchanged over the past year, putting him in a good position for reelection. The poll, which was done earlier this month and has a margin of error of plus/minus 4 points, shows that 53 percent approve of the job he's doing versus 43 percent that disapprove. Out front — And that means that he's polling ahead of his Democratic challengers: He has an 8-point edge over Rep. Charlie Crist, 11 points over Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried and a 16-point margin over state Sen. Annette Taddeo. On the other side — Pollsters also surveyed Democratic voters and found that Crist "has emerged as the frontrunner for the Democratic nomination." The margin of error is higher — plus/minus 5 percentage points — but it showed Crist, who has run statewide multiple times, with a 17-point edge over Fried and a 41 percent margin over Taddeo. But… The survey found that 26 percent of Democrats were still undecided, meaning that there is plenty of room for the numbers to change in the weeks and months ahead. HMM — "Elizabeth Fetterhoff's campaign paid $12K to political fundraising firm founded by her husband," by POLITICO's Matt Dixon: Republican state Rep. Elizabeth Fetterhoff's campaign and a separate political committee over the past three months has paid nearly $12,000 to a fundraising firm founded by her and her husband, a situation that can create the perception of turning "political contributions into personal profit." Fetterhoff, a second term lawmaker from Deland, founded FWD Consulting Group, LLC in April 2021 with her husband, John Ward. It has no website or real online presence, but since November has started serving as the chief fundraising firm for both her campaign and an aligned political committee. Response — Fetterhoff said that she has taken a leave of absence from the company. Fetterhoff is listed as CEO, while Ward is listed as president in state incorporation records. "Yes, FWD Consulting is a company my husband and I own," Fetterhoff said in a text message. "I have taken an indefinite leave of absence and am not involved in the day-to-day operations of the company. …We have fully vetted the arrangement with our attorney," she added. But — She said the company has "multiple clients" in both state and federal races, but no other campaign or committee at the state level have reported spending money with the firm, and no federal candidates at all have reported using the company, according to the Federal Elections Commission. Political candidates using companies they own as campaign vendors is legal, but experts say can raise ethical questions. "It's a way to launder campaign contributions into personal profit," said Ben Wilcox, research director for Integrity Florida, a Tallahassee-based government watchdog group. 2016 CALLING — "As Marco Rubio's Senate re-election campaign racks up millions, his failed 2016 presidential campaign still owes vendors more than $800,000," by Florida Bulldog's Dan Christensen: "Republican U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio has for years cultivated a reputation as a debt maven. He co-introduced a bill in September to 'begin to rein in our mounting debt crisis.' A decade ago, Rubio told President Obama that under his leadership America was becoming a 'deadbeat nation.' Rubio, 50, knows a thing or two about debt and deadbeats. Six years after Florida's senior senator folded his 2016 run for president, Rubio's campaign still owes its vendors $827,657.12, federal election records show." THE LATEST EFFORT — " Vote by mail changes would add envelopes, ID numbers," by News Service of Florida's Dara Kam: "During a news conference Monday, voting-rights advocates blasted what they characterized as the Republican-controlled Legislature's latest attempt to make it harder for Floridians to cast their ballots. 'If it sounds confusing, that's because that's the purpose,' Abdelilah Skhir, voting rights policy strategist for the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida, said. Florida voters already have to provide the last four digits of the identification on file with the supervisors' office to request mail-in ballots, a provision that was included in an elections bill (SB 90) passed last year." — "Two election supervisors at federal trial doubt new law will interfere with general election," by Florida Phoenix's Michael Moline
| | | | 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. | | | | | | | MAPMAKER, MAPMAKER | | NOT GOING OVER WELL — "Painting the town red: How Ron DeSantis tried to turn Tallahassee Republican," by USA Today Network-Florida's James Call: " The DeSantis map places Tallahassee into a district that overwhelmingly voted for Trump and the governor last election. But it's a city where voters in 16 elections since 2000 have cast votes for the Democratic candidate for president, U.S. Senate, and governor by a margin of more than 61%, acording to the Florida Division of Elections records. 'The governor is acting as if the only voters of importance are Republicans,' said Jon Ausman, who was chair of the Leon County Democratic Executive Committee the last time Tallahassee was in a red congressional district. 'He is not acting in the best interests of Leon County.'"
| | DATELINE D.C. | | WHO NEEDS MAIL? — "Two popular bills, two problems: It's never easy in Senate," by The Associated Press' Alan Fram: "Separately, Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., blocked an initial vote Monday on the Postal Service bill, saying it needed to be reworked. He said it would 'add more stress on our already enormous national debt with poor financial planning' and merely shift debt to Medicare, which has its own solvency problems. 'There is no looming deadline that will necessitate rushed action by the Senate,' Scott said. The delay likely meant the Senate won't approve the bill until after next week's scheduled recess. Scott said his roadblock won't hurt the Postal Service. The measure's supporters said it would damage the service and reaffirm voters' healthy dismay for Congress. 'What we heard is why people really are frustrated, angered at the United States Senate,' said Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y." | 
MIAMI, FL - JUNE 16: Florida Governor Rick Scott speaks ahead of U.S. President Donald Trump announcing policy changes he is making toward Cuba at the Manuel Artime Theater in the Little Havana neighborhood on June 16, 2017 in Miami, Florida. The President will re-institute some of the restrictions on travel to Cuba and U.S. business dealings with entities tied to the Cuban military and intelligence services. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) | Getty |
SHRUG — "Rubio on Trump WH records probe: 'It's not a crime, I don't believe,'" by Axios Rebecca Falconer: "Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) rejected suggestions during a Fox News appearance Monday that Republicans aren't expressing as much alarm over concerns about Donald Trump's handling of presidential records as they were over Hillary Clinton's private emails. Why it matters : The former president made Clinton's private email server use when she was secretary of state a focus of his 2016 presidential campaign when he ran against her and continued to highlight it during his presidency. Now, Republicans who once railed against Clinton are either silent or have argued that the National Archives and Records Administration has treated Trump 'harshly' after NARA asked the Justice Department to investigate his handling of presidential records, the New York Times notes."
| | ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... | | DO NO HARM? — "House committee approves free-speech protection bill for doctors," by POLITICO's Arek Sarkissian: A House bill that aims to shield doctors from attacks made by professional boards over unpopular — perhaps harmful — public medical comments was approved by its first committee on Monday with a 12-5 vote. The bill, HB 687, by state Rep. Brad Drake (R-Eucheeanna), would bar any medical board from threatening, reprimanding or revoking the license of a health care practitioner for exercising the federal right to free speech. — " Governor, GOP lawmakers differ on 'critical care' funding for Medicaid patients," by Florida Politics' Christine Jordan Sexton — " Tax break could help Disney, others move lucrative streaming productions to Florida," by Orlando Sentinel's Skyler Swisher — " Florida 'can't compete' with other states in NIL. Here's what that means and why it matters," by Tampa Bay Times' Matt Baker — " Countering critical race theory opposition, Randolph Bracy pushes emancipation history bill," by Florida Politics' Scott Powers — "How do lawmakers get local pet projects in the state budget? It isn't easy or always transparent ," by Florida Phoenix's Diane Rado — "Nursing home staffing reductions move through House spending panel over objections of AARP," by Florida Politics' Christine Jordan Sexton
| | | |   | | | | | Bidenology | | COMING THIS WEEK — "First lady Biden to visit Miami, Tampa as White House relaunches 'Cancer Moonshot,'" by Miami Herald's Bryan Lowry: "First lady Jill Biden will travel to Florida on Thursday for a pair of events in Tampa and Miami on Friday as the Biden administration ramps up its 'Cancer Moonshot' program. The first lady's office announced Monday that she will visit the Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa and U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Miami in Opa-locka as part of her visit to the state. Exact details for the event will be announced in the coming days." | | THE GUNSHINE STATE | | PROTEST — "Parkland's victim's dad scales crane near White House," by The Associated Press' Zeke Miller and Colleen Long: "Protesters demonstrated near the White House, and the father of one teenager killed at the school scaled a 150-foot crane across the street on the Valentine's Day anniversary of the shooting. 'The whole world will listen to Joaquin today. He has a very important message,' the father, Manuel Oliver, said in a tweeted video, referring to his son. 'I asked for a meeting with Joe Biden a month ago, never got that meeting.' Oliver unfurled a sign that showed a photo of his son and criticized Biden for gun deaths since he took office. The father and two other protesters were taken into custody, accused of breaking into a construction site and scaling the equipment." — "'There's hope in healing' as community remembers the victims of Parkland school shooting," by Sun Sentinel's Angie DiMichele 'NO REASON TO KILL A PERSON'— " Popcorn toss key in trial of 2014 Florida theatre shooting," by The Associated Press' Curt Anderson: "The role of a tossed bag of movie popcorn played a central part Monday as a trial opened for a retired Florida police captain who fatally shot a man in a theater eight years ago. The question isn't whether Curtis Reeves shot and killed Chad Oulson at the theater on Jan. 13, 2014. It's whether Reeves felt threatened enough by Oulson to justify firing his .380-caliber handgun after the two argued over Oulson's cellphone use in the theater. To prosecutors, the triggering event in the argument was Oulson's tossing of a bag of popcorn at Reeves — and that's not enough to claim self-defense." — "Judge tosses Zimmerman's lawsuit against Trayvon's parents," by The Associated Press' Mike Schneider | | CORONAVIRUS UPDATES | | The daily rundown — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said there were 5,224 Covid-19 infections reported on Saturday and 4,200 infections reported on Sunday. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reported that 5,502 hospital beds were being used in the state for Covid-19 patients. ON THE LOOSE? — "'What we have in Florida is inadequate': State's COVID monitoring system leaves public blind to new variants," by Sun Sentinel's Cindy Krischer Goodman: "Two years into the pandemic, Florida's monitoring system for COVID has left the public blind to the arrival of highly contagious variants. Florida sends only a tiny fraction of all positive COVID tests to labs for genetic sequencing to learn their strain of coronavirus — only 1% over the entire pandemic. Some states, such as Washington, are sequencing up to 20% of all cases. With so few samples sequenced in Florida, health officials lack the ability to track variants and their prevalence across the state until cases surge."
| | | | STEP INSIDE THE WEST WING: What's really happening in West Wing offices? Find out who's up, who's down, and who really has the president's ear in our West Wing Playbook newsletter, the insider's guide to the Biden White House and Cabinet. For buzzy nuggets and details that you won't find anywhere else, subscribe today. | | | | | | | PENINSULA AND BEYOND | | BALLARD EXPANDS LOCATIONS — Ballard Partners is opening an office in Istanbul to "develop new business partnerships" in Turkey and the United States, the firm announced on Tuesday. The office will be led by former Ambassador Matt Bryza, with former Rep. Robert Wexler serving as a special adviser. "Ambassador Bryza has had a distinguished and lengthy diplomatic career in Turkey and throughout the region and is uniquely qualified to open our office in Turkey," said Brian Ballard, president and founder of the firm. Ballard announced the hiring of Bryza — who spent 23 years as a U.S. diplomat — earlier this year. Ballard Partners already has offices in multiple locations, including both Tallahassee and Washington, D.C. — "Despite ban, U.S. cruise lines hired Cuban agencies to provide 'tourism services' to passengers," by El Nuevo Herald's Nora Gámez Torres — " Meltdown: Florida failed for 3 months to pay tens of thousands of health claims for sickest, neediest children," by WUFT's Kristin Bausch — "A judge is set to rule on a lawsuit by environmental groups over the Piney Point wastewater spill," by News Service of Florida's Jim Saunders
| | Gaetz-gate | | 'IN THE INTEREST OF JUSTICE' — "Gaetz 'wingman' granted another sentencing delay," by POLITICO's David Kihara: A federal judge on Monday agreed to again postpone the sentencing of a close associate of Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz — the third such delay in the high-profile case. Senior U.S. District Judge Gregory Presnell granted the request from Joel Greenberg, the man at heart of the federal investigation into Gaetz and several other men. Greenberg, who has been cooperating with authorities, had asked for the sentencing delay in early February. "It appears that a further continuance of defendant's sentencing is in the interest of justice," Presnell wrote in his order granting Greenberg's request.
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Healthier Happens Together. Learn more. | | | | | ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN | | — "Florida gator hunting hours could grow to around the clock," by News Service of Florida's Jim Turner: "Alligator hunting could become a 24/7 endeavor under a proposal going before Florida wildlife commissioners. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission on March 2 will consider a staff proposal that would expand, at most locations, the daily hours for the next alligator hunting season to 24 from the current 17 — 5 p.m. to 10 a.m. George Warthen, the commission's director of hunting and game management, said in a memo that proposed rule changes would 'provide greater flexibility and opportunity for participants in the statewide alligator harvest program.'" BIRTHDAYS: Former state Rep. Bobby DuBose … Allison Berkowitz, assistant professor at the University of North Alabama | | | | Follow us on Twitter | | | | Subscribe to the POLITICO Playbook family Playbook | Playbook PM | California Playbook | Florida Playbook | Illinois Playbook | Massachusetts Playbook | New Jersey Playbook | New York Playbook | Ottawa Playbook | Brussels Playbook | London Playbook View all our political and policy newsletters | | Follow us | | | | |
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