| | | | |  | | By Gary Fineout | Hello and welcome to Tuesday. Get that resume ready — Well, Secretary of State Laurel Lee can officially hang up the "help wanted" sign. Does that come with a badge? — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday signed a bill into law creating a new election police — officially called the "Office of Election Crimes and Security" — that will be responsible for looking into voter fraud accusations and other violations of election law. DeSantis signed the bill at a sports bar called "Rookies" in Pasco County amid a receptive crowd and lots of fellow Republicans. The budget he will sign (let's assume sometime in late May) includes enough money ($2.6 million) to pay for 25 positions with the new effort. Some context — DeSantis proposed this new election crimes unit at a time when he — as well as Lee — were coming under pressure from corners of the Republican Party in the state who wanted the same kind of full-blown "forensic" audit that had occurred in Arizona in response to the false stolen-election claims coming from former President Donald Trump. Lee and DeSantis said such the audit wasn't needed, but Lee herself became the target of threats. (Her office has declined to go into much detail about this but has acknowledged them.) Tweaked — The governor did not get exactly what he wanted from the Legislature. In the end, the GOP-controlled Legislature declined to place sworn law enforcement investigators directly under Lee's control and instead put ten of the new positions in the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. (Which is about to get new management… an ambitious former U.S. attorney???) The governor gets to select the head of FDLE, but the choice also requires approval from two of the three members of the Florida Cabinet. Not on board — That hasn't assuaged Democrats who debated in opposition to this year's election bill and remain skeptical about the need for the new election unit. They're also fearful it will be used to target political opponents of the governor. Parts of the new law are not going to be enforced by the state due to a recent ruling by Chief U.S. District Judge Mark Walker. But it does increase the criminal penalties for some election law violations, including "ballot harvesting" or the collection of more than two mail-in ballots by non-family members. "No Floridian should fear reprisal from an unaccountable agency with a nebulous mission simply because they wanted to register their fellow citizens to vote or help a neighbor turn in their mail ballot," said Rep. Susan Valdes, a Tampa Democrat. Background — Florida did not have any reports of widespread fraud in the last election, although there are now investigations in several counties about whether several dozen people with felony convictions were allowed to register and vote in 2020. (Some of this appears connected to the bumpy way that state and local election officials tried to implement Amendment 4, which restored voting rights to some felons, but not all of them.) Supervisors have also reported lots of problems with petitions submitted late last year in connection to a proposed gambling citizen initiative. Deadlines — One key question is whether this new office will have much of a role in this year's election. The funding doesn't kick in until July, which means the department won't have a lot of time to hire people and get the office functioning. But maybe this office is more about the next election — when a Floridian might be running for president. — WHERE'S RON? — Nothing official scheduled for Gov. DeSantis. 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. | | | | | |  | CAMPAIGN MODE | | MORE GOVERNMENT — "DeSantis signs bill creating of the nation's only election police units," by POLITICO's Gary Fineout: The Republican governor had proposed the creation of a special unit to tackle election crimes as he came under pressure from some Republicans to do a full-blown audit of the 2020 election even though former President Donald Trump had little trouble winning Florida. "I don't think there's any other place in the country that you should have more confidence that your vote counts than in the state of Florida," DeSantis said Monday during the bill signing event at a sports bar north of the Tampa Bay area. IT FINALLY HAPPENED — " DeSantis backs Simpson for ag commissioner," by POLITICO's Bruce Ritchie: Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday endorsed Senate President Wilton Simpson for agriculture commissioner, praising the senate leader for backing the governor's bills dealing with elections, 'big tech censorship' and law enforcement. DeSantis' endorsement, which he announced in a tweet, is especially noteworthy given the governor's focus on Everglades restoration and the state's response to red tide as well as the ongoing feud he had with Simpson, an industrial egg farmer who had previously received an endorsement from former President Donald Trump. | 
Florida Senate President Wilton Simpson speaks during a legislative session at the Florida State Capitol on March 9, 2022, in Tallahassee, Fla. | Wilfredo Lee/AP Photo |
DEPLORABLES REDUX? — "Crist says DeSantis trying to 'score political points with red meat, hard right, toothless crowd," by Sarasota Herald-Tribune's Zac Anderson: "On Sunday, U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist went further, appearing to take aim not just at [Gov. Ron] DeSantis, but at his base of supporters. Crist's description of DeSantis as appealing to the "toothless crowd" came during an event in Lakewood Ranch that featured all three leading Democrats running for governor. It was the first time all were on stage together answering questions from a moderator in a debate-like format."
An explanation? — "Asked about the comment, Crist's campaign denied that he was targeting conservative voters with a word that can evoke stereotypes of poor, rural people. 'Charlie was referring to the toothless, spineless crowd that aids and abets DeSantis's crusade to hurt, rather than help Floridians — the legislators, lobbyists, and special interests who bend to his whims and only care about delivering red meat for their base,' said Crist Press Secretary Samantha Ramirez. 'To imply that he meant anything else is nonsense.'" OPERATION RED — The Republican National Committee says it launched its "Operation Red" initiative this past weekend in Florida, a new push to activate volunteers. The RNC said that over the two-day period their teams knocked on more than 23,000 doors and made over 17,000 calls and engaged with volunteers. All told, RNC officials said that during this cycle they have knocked on more than 170,000 doors and made over 215,000 calls in the state. The party says that its efforts also included participating in a voter registration drive at a cancer awareness event in Jacksonville, participating in a beach clean-up with the Orlando Republican National Hispanic Assembly and being part of an all-female phone bank in Miami. "While Florida Republicans remain committed to listening and engaging with voters, Democrats are laser focused on impressing Hollywood elites with embarrassing theater," said Julia Friedland, a spokeswoman for the RNC. CRIST ADDS MORE ENDORSEMENTS — Rep. Charlie Crist continues to add endorsements for his campaign for governor. On Tuesday, the campaign announced that two South Florida state senators — Tina Polsky and Lori Berman — were now backing Crist's bid. Crist's Democratic rivals for the nomination, including Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried and state Sen. Annette Taddeo . Berman said Crist is "the exact person we need back in Tallahassee to bring common sense and decency" in state government. Polsky said that Crist would help "unite us" and get away from the "divisiveness" that has been a part of Tallahassee. …. The backing of Polsky and Berman comes a day after state Sen. Shevrin Jones also endorsed Crist. THE MAP GIVETH, TAKETH — " Chip LaMarca won't run for Congress. Decision leaves Republicans without top-tier candidate to succeed Ted Deutch," by Sun Sentinel's Anthony Man: "State Rep. Chip LaMarca said Monday he would not seek the Republican nomination for a South Florida congressional seat, a decision that leaves his party without a top-tier candidate for the district that incumbent Democrat Ted Deutch is vacating. LaMarca said he would instead be a candidate for re-election in the northeast Broward district he represents in the state House of Representatives." OPENING — "Mayor Lenny Curry passes on Congress. Which other Republicans will test water in new GOP-friendly seat?" by Florida Times-Union's David Bauerlein : "The fast-moving process will put pressure on would-be candidates to decide soon on taking the plunge. 'This is going to be a very short-fused election,' said Dean Black, chairman of the Republican Party of Duval County. Curry spent the past week considering a run himself. He said he wants to finish out his second term term as mayor, which goes through the end of June 2023, but will be engaged in the congressional race by meeting with candidates and 'support the Republican I believe is best positioned to help us achieve our city's best future.'" STONE ZONE — "Roger Stone won't run against DeSantis for governor — but says he might challenge 'RINO' Rubio," by Sun-Sentinel's Anthony Man: "Roger Stone said Monday he won't run against Gov. Ron DeSantis, but he said he's contemplating a Republican primary challenge to U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio. Stone's decision not to challenge DeSantis isn't because of any love for the Florida governor, but rather because Stone is a registered Republican, and it's too late under Florida law to run as a no party affiliation/independent candidate or seek the nomination of another party." — " Charlie Crist lobbies for Florida chamber endorsement during MSNBC hit," by Florida Politics' A.G. Gancarski
| | ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... | | NEXT STOP — "Florida and GOP groups seek to block election law ruling," by POLITICO's Gary Fineout: Florida and national Republican groups are asking a federal appeals court to block a far-reaching ruling that struck down portions of a controversial election law approved last year by the GOP-led Legislature and requires the state to get permission before it enacts future changes in three areas. Arguments— Chief U.S. District Judge Mark Walker's blistering decision said the law pushed by Gov. Ron DeSantis puts restrictions on voters that were unconstitutional and discriminated against minority voters. He also said that Florida legislators had shown a pattern of ignoring evidence that laws designed to create a partisan advantage for Republicans had a disparate impact on minorities. In the filing, lawyers for the state call Walker's assertions "not remotely true" and that his decision is "likely to be reversed." The motion adds that Walker's demand for preclearance "forces Florida to get its laws preapproved by the same judge who called its election director a liar and who obliquely compared Florida leaders to Vladimir Putin." — "Is the magic still there? Disney fans react to feud with DeSantis, Florida lawmakers," by Florida Today's Britt Kennerly and Dave Berman — " Why is DeSantis fighting Disney? It's a warning to 'woke' big business to stay out of culture wars," by USA Today's Jessica Guynn
| | | | 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. | | | | | | | TRUMPLANDIA AND THE SWAMP | | N.Y. STATE OF MIND FOR FLORIDA MAN — "Judge holds Trump in contempt over documents in New York A.G.'s inquiry," by The New York Times' Jonah E. Bromwich, Ben Protess and William K. Rashbaum: "A New York state judge on Monday held Donald J. Trump in contempt of court for failing to comply with a subpoena from the state attorney general's office, an extraordinary rebuke of the former president that came as that office suggested it might soon file a long-threatened lawsuit against him. The judge, Arthur F. Engoron, ordered Mr. Trump to fully respond to the subpoena from the attorney general, Letitia James — who sought records from the former president about his family business — and assessed a fine of $10,000 per day until he satisfied the court's requirements." — "Mark Meadows' 2,139 text messages reveal Trump's inner circle communications before and after January 6," by CNN's Jamie Gangel, Jeremy Herb and Elizabeth Stuart
| | DATELINE D.C. | | BORDER BATTLE — "Judge plans to hit pause on Biden effort to end Trump-era Covid restriction at border," by NBC News' Zoë Richards: "A federal judge said Monday he intends to temporarily block the Biden administration from lifting the coronavirus border restriction known as Title 42. It would be a victory for Republican-led states and some led by Democrats that sued to keep the immigration policy, which was initiated in the Trump administration. U.S. District Judge Robert R. Summerhays of the Western District of Louisiana announced his intention to grant the motion in a virtual status conference Monday. Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt celebrated the judge's decision Monday afternoon on Twitter." — "Rick Scott is done with Disney+, Disney World after 'parental rights' pushback," by Florida Politics' A.G. Gancarski — " Lightning's White House visit 'a long time in the making,'" by Tampa Bay Times' Eduardo A. Encina
| | THE GUNSHINE STATE | | DO IT AGAIN — "Parkland shooter's jury search restarts anew amid dispute," by The Associated Press' Terry Spencer: "The judge overseeing jury selection for a man who murdered 17 people at a Florida high school declared that the process will start over Monday, after prosecutors and defense attorneys argued that she erred when she didn't question 11 potential jurors who said they would not follow the law before she dismissed them. In granting the motion filed by Nikolas Cruz 's prosecutors over the strong objection of his attorneys, Circuit Judge Elizabeth Scherer nullified two weeks of work by prosecution and defense lawyers, forcing them to begin the entire process anew Monday."
| | PENINSULA AND BEYOND | | CRISIS, WHAT CRISIS? — "As lawmakers avert their eyes, condo insurers flee Florida or jack up prices post-Surfside," by Miami Herald's Ben Conarck: "Even before legislative proposals to reform condo safety post-Surfside died on the doorstep of the Florida House last month, a reaction was brewing in the marketplace. But the failure by lawmakers in Tallahassee to respond to the partial collapse of Champlain Towers South that killed 98 people last June has further inflamed an exodus of insurers no longer willing to underwrite policies in an increasingly risky Florida condo marketplace, according to interviews with industry experts, analysts, academics and attorneys. The retreat by insurance companies has left the condo associations steering aging buildings up and down the Miami area coastline and throughout the state to deal with insurers in the lesser-regulated surplus market, for customers that can't get standard policies because the potential loss is unacceptably high." | 
Search and rescue personnel search for survivors through the rubble at the Champlain Towers South in Surfside, Fla., on June 27, 2021. | David Santiago/Miami Herald via AP |
THAT WENT WELL — "Cuba blasts U.S. following first talks on migration in years," by NBC News' Carmen Sesin: "Cuba blasted the U.S. over a wide range of issues, including the rise in migration of Cubans to the U.S., and accused the U.S. of excluding the island from the Summit of the Americas during a news conference Monday in Havana. Cuba's foreign minister, Bruno Rodríguez, called on U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken 'to say in an honest way if Cuba will be invited to the ninth Summit of the Americas.' A State Department spokesperson said no invitations have been issued from the White House at this time."
DISTRESSING — " A dying baby, a home in flames and a father in distress: Broward 911 callers cry out for help and no answers the phones," by Sun Sentinel's Eileen Kelley, Lisa J. Huriash, Brittany Wallman and Spencer Norris: "Cory McNeil, one of many adults staying at the house that included a bed full of sleeping children, grabbed a phone and frantically pounded the numbers 9-1-1. The phone rang and rang and rang — and rang some more — as Darrol 'Molly' Glasco continued to scream for someone to help her baby boy. 'Everyone was like, 'Oh no, no, oh no! Call the ambulance. Call the police,' McNeil said. Someone else grabbed a phone. So did a third person. At least three callers dialed 911 and no one answered. One person hung up and tried again. And again. So did others." HOMEWORK — "Man who damaged LGBTQ streetscape must write essay on Pulse," by The Associated Press: "A man convicted of burning tire marks across a gay-pride streetscape in South Florida while participating in a rally for former President Donald Trump last summer must write a 25-page essay on the deadly 2016 shooting at a gay nightclub in the state. A Palm Beach County circuit judge ordered Alexander Jerich, 20, of Lake Worth, to write the essay during a Thursday hearing, according to court records. The essay about the 49 people killed during the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando is due at a June 8 sentencing hearing for Jerich." — " Judge dismisses lawsuit against Tiger Woods' restaurant in death of bartender in crash," by Palm beach Post's Jane Musgrave — " Parents sue after death of teen from Florida drop-tower ride," by The Associated Press' Mike Schneider | | ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN | | — "Axiom Space private astronauts splash down off Florida coast," by Orlando Sentinel's Richard Tribou: "The International Space Station turned into a bit of an extended stay hotel for the four Axiom Space private astronauts who finally were able to climb back on board a SpaceX Dragon and make their way safely back to Earth. The quartet made up of three men who paid $55 million each as well as a former astronaut who is now an Axiom employee flew up to the ISS launching from Kennedy Space Center for what was originally supposed to be a 10-day mission back on April 8. The 10 days turned into 17 as they departed the station Sunday night before making a textbook landing in the Atlantic off the Florida coast near Jacksonville on Monday." BIRTHDAYS: Former first lady Melania Trump … state Rep. Wyman Duggan .... former state Rep. Larry Ahern | | | | 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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