| | | | |  | | By Gary Fineout | Hello and welcome to Wednesday. Ghosts of campaign past — In his first run for governor (as a Republican) nearly a generation ago, Charlie Crist took aim at his Democratic rival, then-Rep. Jim Davis, for missing votes in Congress. His campaign repeatedly ran ads featuring an empty chair rolling around the streets of Washington, D.C. Ghosts of campaign present — Now, Crist is getting attacked for his own workplace habits. Crist is one of several members of Congress from Florida whose practice of relying on proxy votes this year instead of voting in person showed up on a list published earlier this month by a Honolulu news website examining the voting record of a Hawaiian member of Congress. Near the top — That list showed that Crist as well as Reps. Al Lawson, Frederica Wilson and Maria Elvira Salazar were among the top 15 members who were voting by proxy, a system set up by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi due to Covid-19. (For what it's worth, there was a big drop-off from those at the top of the list and those lower down such as Salazar. Salazar's office said she has relied on proxy voting because the congresswoman's elderly mother has been going in and out of hospitals recently.) Staying out of D.C. — The online publication The Dispatch delved a bit deeper and found that out of 18 times Crist had voted in person this year (out of 125 votes total) the votes took place during just four days in March. Crist has mainly been relying on proxy voting — where someone else casts votes on his behalf — as he keeps up a fairly constant pace on the campaign trail in his bid to win the Democratic nomination for governor. (Side note: During the time proxy votes have been allowed, several members of the Florida delegation, including two South Florida Republicans have used it frequently.) Multi-tasking — While proxy voting was set up to deal with the pandemic, Crist seems to have little regret over using it. Chloe Kessock, a spokesperson for Crist, said in an email that "the Congressman has two important missions: representing Florida's 13th District in Congress and giving Floridians, exhausted by Ron DeSantis' never ending culture wars, a clear choice in November. The proxy offers a great way to ensure his constituents' voices continue to be heard on legislation under consideration in Congress." Kessock also notes that Crist continues to sponsor bills and has helped win appropriations for Pinellas County. Reaction — Some of Crist's rivals beg to differ. "Charlie Crist has shamelessly abandoned his responsibility to the Floridians he represents in Congress as he desperately chases a promotion that will once again remain out of his reach," said Joanna Rodriguez, a spokesperson for the Republican Governors Association. Keith Edwards, the communications director for Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, said on Twitter that "as reports today have shown, Charlie is more interested in seeking office and losing than doing the work he was hired to do." — WHERE'S RON? — Gov. DeSantis is scheduled to be in Las Vegas for the "Rise Up Rally" with Adam Laxalt, Republican candidate for U.S. Senate. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for Playbook? Get in touch: gfineout@politico.com
| | | | DON'T MISS ANYTHING FROM THE 2022 MILKEN INSTITUTE GLOBAL CONFERENCE: POLITICO is excited to partner with the Milken Institute to produce a special edition "Global Insider" newsletter featuring exclusive coverage and insights from the 25th annual Global Conference. This year's event, May 1-4, brings together more than 3,000 of the world's most influential leaders, including 700+ speakers representing more than 80 countries. "Celebrating the Power of Connection" is this year's theme, setting the stage to connect influencers with the resources to change the world with leading experts and thinkers whose insight and creativity can implement that change. Whether you're attending in person or following along from somewhere else in the world, keep up with this year's conference with POLITICO's special edition "Global Insider" so you don't miss a beat. Subscribe today. | | | | | |  | DATELINE D.C. | | 'HE DOESN'T NEED TO DO THIS' — "McCarthy feared G.O.P. lawmakers put 'people in jeopardy' after Jan. 6," by The New York Times' Alexander Burns and Jonathan Martin: "In the phone call with other Republican leaders on Jan. 10, [Rep. Kevin] McCarthy referred chiefly to two representatives, Matt Gaetz of Florida and Mo Brooks of Alabama, as endangering the security of other lawmakers and the Capitol complex. … Mr. Brooks addressed the Jan. 6 rally on the National Mall, which preceded the Capitol riot, using incendiary language. After Jan. 6, Mr. Gaetz went on television to attack multiple Republicans who had criticized Mr. Trump, including Representative Liz Cheney of Wyoming, a member of the leadership team." They came with rope — "Those comments by Mr. Gaetz alarmed Mr. McCarthy and his colleagues in leadership — particularly the reference to Ms. Cheney, who was already the target of threats and public abuse from Mr. Trump's faction in the party because of her criticism of the defeated president. 'He's putting people in jeopardy,' Mr. McCarthy said of Mr. Gaetz. 'And he doesn't need to be doing this. We saw what people would do in the Capitol, you know, and these people came prepared with rope, with everything else.'" | 
Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) and Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) speak to reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. | Drew Angerer/Getty Images |
INTACT — "Biden to comply with forthcoming order to keep Covid border restrictions in place ," by POLITICO's Eugene Daniels and Laura Barrón-López: The Biden administration said on Tuesday that it will comply with an expected court order from a Louisiana judge that would block the lifting of Title 42, a Trump-era deportation policy used to expel more than one million migrants at the Southern border. The administration had announced that it would end the use of Title 42, a public health order, by May 23. But a judge in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana announced on Monday that he would side with Republican states to keep the order preserved barring some agreement being reached between them and the administration.
— "Florida inmate who lost eye in prison attack receives clemency from Biden," by Miami Herald's Bryan Lowry
| | ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... | | GOING BACK TO TALLY — "DeSantis sets late May special session on property insurance," by POLITICO's Matt Dixon: Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday officially called lawmakers back to Tallahassee for a late May special session to grapple with the state's ailing property insurance market, giving lawmakers just weeks to hash out a deal on a contentious issue that vexed them for months. The one-week special session, which DeSantis said earlier this month he planned to call, will be held May 23-27. But, but, but — There is, however, no deal in place, which is atypical ahead of a special session. The unwritten rule of special sessions has historically been not to call one unless a deal is in place, but that's not the case with the hugely contentious issue of property insurance. "Nothing to report yet," state Sen. Jim Boyd (R-Bradenton) who chairs the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee, told POLITICO on Tuesday. FALLOUT — " Disney tells investors state can't dissolve special district without paying debt," by Miami Herald's Mary Ellen Klas: "As Florida legislators were rushing through passage of a bill to repeal the special district that governs Walt Disney World last week, they failed to notice an obscure provision in state law that says the state could not do what legislators were doing — unless the district's bond debt was paid off. Disney, however, noticed and quietly sent a note to its investors to show that it was confident the Legislature's attempt to dissolve the special taxing district operating the 39-square mile parcel it owned in two counties violated the "pledge" the state made when it enacted the district in 1967, and therefore was not legal. The result, Disney told its investors, is that it would continue to go about business as usual." — "Florida's contractual obligations to bond holders block repeal of Disney's special taxing district, says Reedy Creek in new statement," by Law and Crime's Sarah Rumpf — "Disney World's firefighters could lose benefits if Reedy Creek district gets the ax, union chief says," by Orlando Sentinel's Katie Rice THAT DIDN'T TAKE LONG — " Pinellas County Commission votes to sue state over new election law," by Tampa Bay Times' Tracey McManus: "Pinellas County commissioners voted Tuesday to sue the state over its new elections reform law, which includes a provision they say illegally targets Pinellas to accommodate the political ambitions of one state legislator. On Monday, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill that created an office within the executive branch to investigate election crime. The law includes a provision that requires county commissioners in single-member districts to run again for their seats following a redistricting process, which Pinellas finalized in December. But the language included multiple exceptions so that Pinellas County is the only government affected in the state." Convenient — "That works to the advantage of state Rep. Chris Latvala, R-Clearwater. Last year, he filed to run for District 5 in 2024, when [Karen] Seel, a fellow Republican, had planned to step down at the end of her sixth term. The law now allows him to run for District 5 this year when he is also term-limited out of the Florida House." TURNABOUT — " FLDOE accepts second K-5 publisher after slate of rejections," by POLITICO's Andrew Atterbury: The Florida Department of Education quietly gave a second publisher clearance to provide math textbooks for kindergarten through fifth grade students on Tuesday after the state initially issued a wide slate of rejections over "impermissible" content including critical race theory that left school districts with only one option for the subject area. Florida added Pennsylvania-based Big Ideas Learning, LLC, a subsidiary of Larson Texts, Inc., as an approved publisher for K-5 general math in an updated adoption list posted to the FLDOE website. The update was posted more than a week after state leaders including Gov. Ron DeSantis publicly blasted companies for attempting to "indoctrinate" students. The move ensures that school districts will have at least two textbook options to choose from as they adopt new teaching standards in the fall while other major publishers seek the same state approval. — "DeSantis calls San Francisco a 'dumpster fire,' fears Californians importing destruction to Florida ," by Fox News' Michael Lee — "Florida legislators mostly silent on Rep. Fine's threats to pull Special Olympics funding," by Florida Today's Eric Rogers — "Florida physicians push back on advice from state against transgender support for youth," by The Gainesville Sun's Douglas Ray — " Under new Florida law, activist requests 62 school districts to ban the Bible, including LCS," by Tallahassee Democrat's Ana Goñi-Lessan — "Florida's book bans: Which titles are being pulled from school media centers ?" by The Ledger's Rachael Thomas — "Florida, voting groups at odds over ruling that said election law discriminated against Black voters," by News Service of Florida's Jim Saunders
| | | | JOIN US ON 4/29 FOR A WOMEN RULE DISCUSSION ON WOMEN IN TECH : Women, particularly women of color and women from disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds, have historically been locked out of the tech world. But this new tech revolution could be an opportunity for women to get in on the ground floor of a new chapter. Join POLITICO for an in-depth panel discussion on the future of women in tech and how to make sure women are both participating in this fast-moving era and have access to all it offers. REGISTER HERE. | | | | | | | CAMPAIGN MODE | | GONE — "Nadd suspends bid for ag commissioner after DeSantis supports Simpson," by POLITICO's Bruce Ritchie: A GOP candidate running for agriculture commissioner announced Tuesday he is suspending his campaign — a day after Gov. Ron DeSantis endorsed Senate President Wilton Simpson for the job. Chuck Nadd, in a handwritten note posted on Twitter, said his decision is based on the governor's "decision to unite the GOP." "We remain as committed as ever to fighting for clean water, our conservative values, and the Florida freedoms that he has championed," Nadd said. On a phone call earlier in the day with POLITICO, Nadd declined to comment on DeSantis announcing his support for Simpson, who Nadd had blamed for being aligned with the sugar industry. MAPQUEST — "This year's House battlefield is almost locked in. The next decade is still wide open," by POLITICO's Zach Montellaro: Florida also stands out as a 2022 litigation target, though it's unclear if the state Supreme Court will act against DeSantis' lines. The governor's lines create 20 districts that favor Republicans and eight that favor Democrats, shifting the current 16-11 delegation and erasing several districts designed to give political power to voters of color. "DeSantis is inserting himself into the redistricting process in an unprecedented way," said Kelly Burton, president of the National Democratic Redistricting Committee, adding that the map is "illegal, it is wrong, it is immoral," and hurts Black voters. CAMPAIGN ROUNDUP — Rep. Charlie Crist on Wednesday announced another round of endorsements for his bid for governor, this time picking up support from state Rep. Nick Duran, former state Sens. Daryl Jones and Perry Thurston, Gainesville Mayor Lauren Poe, Palm Beach County Tax Collector Anne Gannon and five other local elected officials. Crist, who is locked in a battle for the Democratic nomination with two other rivals, has picked up more than 150 endorsements from current and former elected officials and community leaders. — "Dan Webster makes clear he's sticking with Congressional District 11 ," by Florida Politics' Jacob Ogles — "Ben Diamond makes big decision on congressional run," by Florida Politics' Jacob Ogles | | THE GUNSHINE STATE | | INCIDENT — "Deputies protect school killer after potential juror threat," by The Associated Press' Terry Spencer: "Deputies protecting Florida school shooter Nikolas Cruz had to pull him aside and surround him Tuesday after a member of a jury pool mouthed possible threats toward him and caused others to become 'excited,' leading them to fear a potential brawl, officials said. A 70-member pool of potential jurors was filing into the courtroom and taking their seats when one of the first to enter, a man in his 30s, began 'mouthing expletives' toward Cruz, Circuit Judge Elizabeth Scherer said. Cruz, 23, is facing a possible death sentence for murdering 17 at Parkland's Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on Feb. 14, 2018."
| | PENINSULA AND BEYOND | | NO REPLY AT ALL — "As unanswered 911 calls raise alarm, Broward struggles to find a way to fix the problem," by Sun Sentinel's Lisa J. Huriash: "The Broward Sheriff's Office acknowledged Tuesday it has a recruitment and retention crisis among its 911 call-takers that has left scores of emergency calls unanswered. Broward County commissioners asked Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony and other members of his agency about concerns with answering 911 calls. The agency said it doesn't have enough money to attract new dispatchers to fill 90 empty positions, and to keep the dispatchers who are already employed from going elsewhere for more money." AIRWAVES — " The controversial sale of Miami's Radio Caracol halts – but the controversy doesn't," by WLRN's Tim Padgett: "WSUA, known as Radio Caracol, isn't Miami's largest or top-rated Spanish-language radio station. But in the past year, Caracol (1260 AM) has gotten outsized attention as the target of an attempted purchase that's heightened the bitter political rift inside Miami's Cuban and Latino community. This month that sale of Radio Caracol unexpectedly fell through. But it's far from certain if this marks the end of the dispute — which started a year ago this month when Caracol fired popular talk show host Raul Martinez." — " Parents: Son's death on Florida ride could've been prevented," by The Associated Press' Jim Salter — " Former city officials who backed Beckham's Inter Miami stadium quest are now critics," by Miami Herald's Joey Flechas — "Palm Beach County teacher who was arrested after refusing to leave campus or wear mask found guilty of trespassing ," by Palm Beach Post's Angie DiMichele — "Report by state attorneys who declined to prosecute Broward Sheriff Tony left out key facts about perjury investigation," by Florida Bulldog's Dan Christensen
| | ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN | | WEEKEND WEDDING — Hannah Strub, legislative director for Rep. John Rutherford, and Seth Morrow, a VP at Targeted Victory, got married Saturday at the historic Perry Belmont House in D.C. They met while working for former Rep. Bradley Byrne (R-Ala.). Pic BIRTHDAYS: Rep. Dan Webster … state Rep. Adam Botana
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