| | | | |  | | By Gary Fineout | Hello and welcome to Monday. And now the fallout begins. By the numbers — Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday quickly signed into law the congressional map drawn by his own staff and passed by his allies in the Republican-controlled Legislature. It's a map expected to boost the GOP's current 16-11 advantage in this state to a 20-8 margin — and help Republicans win back the U.S. House along the way. Asking the judge — Several civil rights and voting groups filed a lawsuit the same day the governor signed off on the map, but there is skepticism that the court would take action ahead of this year's election. Marc Elias, the Washington, D.C., attorney whose firm is helping with the legal challenge, argued on Friday that the new map is such a clear violation of Florida's anti-gerrymandering standards "that there is no reason that the state courts cannot move without dispatch." (The state's lawyers will likely disagree.) Tick, tick, tick — But what do Democrats do right now? Gone — Rep. Al Lawson saw his district, which stretches from west of Tallahassee to Jacksonville, all but obliterated. So Lawson, a Black Democrat who has sharply criticized DeSantis for a map that is "causing a racial divide in the state," is now seriously considering a run against incumbent Rep. Neil Dunn. Dunn, a Panama City Republican, would have all of Tallahassee and Democratic-heavy Leon County placed inside his reconfigured district. Home — "If I decide to run, this would be the place to do it," Lawson told Playbook on Sunday. Familiar territory — Lawson, who is 73, used to represent many Panhandle counties in this new district during his lengthy career in the Legislature. (He was first elected to Congress nearly six years ago.) But former President Donald Trump won 55 percent of the vote in the new version of Florida's 2nd Congressional District. "The numbers have never been on my side except when I ran in the district that was drawn by the court," Lawson said in response. Pressing forward — Lawson said many people have been encouraging him to make a run, including even some Republicans. "You don't give up. You have to run hard. Nothing is easy," said Lawson, who may frame part of his campaign message on pointing out how Panhandle residents have benefited from federal relief programs that Dunn and other Republicans voted against. Not alone — Lawson, of course, isn't the only Democrat dealing with an uphill battle. The new map has Rep. Kathy Castor's district jumping Tampa Bay and lumps neighborhoods into her district that turn the Pinellas County seat now held by Rep. Charlie Crist into one that could flip to GOP. There are several Democrats, including two sitting legislators who been running for the seat for months. Staying in — One of those Democratic candidates — state Rep. Michele Rayner — said on Sunday she has no intention of dropping out. "I'm not afraid of a tough battle," said Rayner, who is the first openly LGBTQ Black woman to get elected to the Florida Legislature. "We don't give up because it's going to be a little bit harder." Around the state — These aren't the only races upended by the new map. Democrats have a lot to figure out, including whether they plan to mount a serious challenge in two potentially competitive South Florida seats now held by two freshmen Republicans. It looks like they are running out of time ahead of an election that may be the party's last stand in Florida. — 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. | | | | | |  | MAPMAKER, MAPMAKER | | AWAY WE GO — "DeSantis signs new congressional map into law as groups sue over redistricting ," by POLITICO's Gary Fineout: The groups filed the lawsuit less than 24 hours after the GOP-controlled Legislature passed the bill along party lines in chaotic fashion as Black Democrats were loudly protesting on the House floor while Republicans voted to send the map to DeSantis. "The League and the other plaintiffs have chosen to not stand by while a rogue governor and a complicit state Legislature make a mockery of Florida's Constitution and try to silence the votes and voices of hundreds of thousands of Black voters," said Cecile Scoon, president of the League of Women Voters of Florida in a statement. About that other lawsuit — Meanwhile, lawyers representing Secretary of State Laurel Lee filed a motion in federal court on Friday asking that a previous lawsuit filed by Common Cause of Florida and Fair Districts Now and a group of voters be tossed out because the newly-approved map makes the case moot. The federal lawsuit was first filed back in March and the groups suing asked a three-judge panel to draw a new congressional map because Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Legislature were at odds with another at the time. The filing asks that this lawsuit be dismissed with prejudice. QUESTION — " Will Black voters punch back at the polls against Gov. Ron DeSantis over redistricting map?" by Sarasota Herald-Tribune's Zac Anderson and The Daytona Beach News-Journal's Mark Harper: "Jacksonville state Rep. Angie Nixon, a Black Democrat who led the protest, predicted the redistricting issue would galvanize Black voters come November. 'This is a direct attack on democracy and Black representation,' she said. 'The governor is politically ambitious and he is politically manipulating district lines. He and his party are ignoring what's best for Floridians. I think Black voters are going to turn out in record numbers.'" — " Florida's congressional map: An about-face in GOP strategy and a setback for Blacks," by Miami Herald's Mary Ellen Klas and Ana Ceballos
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Rep. Tray McCurdy (D-Orlando) and Rep. Angie Nixon (D-Jacksonville) sit on the Florida Seal in protest on April 21 in Tallahassee, Fla. | Phil Sears/AP Photo | | | ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... | | WE DON'T TALK ABOUT BRUNO — "DeSantis revokes Disney's special status after 'Don't Say Gay' opposition ," by POLITICO's Andrew Atterbury: A whirlwind week for Walt Disney Co. came to a close Friday when Gov. Ron DeSantis signed legislation that could spell the end of special privileges for the entertainment giant as punishment for speaking out against a new law restricting how sexual orientation and gender identity are addressed in public schools. Requested by the Republican governor, the two bills punishing Disney were made public on Tuesday and signed into law by DeSantis roughly 77 hours later following a special legislative session originally called to address congressional redistricting. THE DESANTIS WAY — "DeSantis tests the limits of his combative style in Disney feud," by The Associated Press' Steve People and Brendan Farrington: "Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis ′ deepening feud with Walt Disney World is testing the limits of his combative leadership style while sending an unmistakable message to his rivals that virtually nothing is off limits as he plots his political future. The 43-year-old Republican has repeatedly demonstrated an acute willingness to fight over the course of his decadelong political career. He has turned against former aides and rejected the GOP Legislature's rewrite of congressional maps, forcing lawmakers to accept a version more to his liking and prompting voting rights groups to sue. He's also leaned into simmering tensions with Donald Trump, which is notable for someone seeking to lead a party where loyalty to the former president is a requirement." | 
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis displays the signed Parental Rights in Education, aka the Don't Say Gay bill, flanked by elementary school students during a news conference on Monday, March 28, 2022, at Classical Preparatory school in Shady Hills. | Douglas R. Clifford/Tampa Bay Times via AP | — "Explainer: Why are Disney and DeSantis feuding in Florida?" by The Associated Press Anthony Izaguirre — "What we know about the DeSantis-Disney rift," by The New York Times' Giulia Heyward — " Florida's Disney district crackdown may violate First Amendment, legal experts say," by Tampa Bay Times Emily L. Mahoney and Miami Herald's Bianca Padró Ocasio — "Disney's $578 million tax break left untouched in DeSantis feud ," by Bloomberg's Christopher Palmeri SIGNED — "DeSantis signs bill targeting race lessons in classrooms and companies," by POLITICO's Andrew Atterbury: Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday signed legislation attempting to root out possible traces of critical race theory inside Florida's school system while also targeting "woke" corporate trainings at companies, a bill that the Republican governor requested from lawmakers ahead of the 2022 session. One of the most controversial education proposals introduced this year, state Republicans advocated for the "individual freedom" bill as a way to ensure teachers and corporations remain objective when leading school lessons or employee trainings about race. Another legal challenge — Moments after DeSantis signed the measure into law, a group filed a federal lawsuit challenging it, claiming that it imposes "unlawful restrictions on the First Amendment rights of teachers, students, and Florida's employers in myriad fashion." The legislation (HB 7) expands Florida's anti-discrimination laws to prohibit schools and companies from leveling guilt or blame to students and employees based on race or sex, taking aim at lessons over issues like "white privilege." AGENDA SETTER — "He fuels the right's cultural fires (and spreads them to Florida)," by The New York Times' Trip Gabriel: "Mr. [Christopher] Rufo has taken aim at opponents of a new Florida law that prohibits teachers in some grades from discussing L.G.B.T.Q. issues and that critics call "Don't Say Gay." He declared "moral war" against the statute's most prominent adversary, the Walt Disney Company. And he has used the same playbook that proved effective in his crusade on racial issues: a leak of insider documents." The G word — Mr. Rufo denied that he had broadly equated opponents of the Florida law with groomers. "It's wrong, factually and morally, to accuse someone of being a groomer with no basis and evidence," he said. "It's become a powerful word that should be used with great responsibility," he added. BECAUSE HE CAN? — " Florida Rep. Randy Fine threatened Special Olympics funding over school board member feud, texts show," by Florida Today's Eric Rogers : "Florida Rep. Randy Fine threatened to interfere with state funding for the Special Olympics and the city of West Melbourne last week over a personal feud with Brevard County School Board member Jennifer Jenkins, according to a series of text messages obtained by FLORIDA TODAY. A city leader said Fine later tried to block the release of the text messages through a public records request and wanted a city attorney who was overseeing the request to be fired. Fine denied he threatened to get the funding pulled or that he ever spoke about firing the city attorney." Part of the exchange — "Fine rejected [West Melbourne City Councilman John] Dittmore's subsequent invitation to attend the event, which took place Friday at a Chick-Fil-A restaurant on Palm Bay Road, calling Jenkins a 'whore.' 'I'm not going to jack (expletive) where that whore is at,' he wrote. 'You guys will have to raise a lot of money given that's who you want to honor, not the person who got you money in the budget.'" — " Florida GOP state rep. calls Democrats' protest of redistricting bill 'far worse' than Jan 6., complains they prevented debate on Disney bill he rushed," by Mediaite's Sarah Rumpf
| | | | 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 | | GOING AFTER SIMPSON — Chuck Nadd, a Republican who is running for agriculture commissioner, sat down for an interview with CBS Miami's Jim DeFede where Nadd ripped into primary opponent and current Senate president, Wilton Simpson . He criticized Simpson for being in the "pocket of big sugar" and said that burn permits for sugar companies — a source of ongoing controversy — should be curtailed. He also faulted Simpson for voting in favor of the gun law enacted in the wake of the Parkland massacre that raised the minimum age to buy a gun. Nadd additionally questioned whether Simpson was involved in the "ghost candidate" scheme where third-party candidates were run in key Senate races as a way to siphon votes from Democrats. Nadd refused to say whether Joe Biden was fairly elected president, but the former Black Hawk helicopter pilot and Afghanistan veteran said he did recognize him as commander-in-chief. PICCOLO ON BOARD — Fred Piccolo, who spent several months as the communications director for Gov. Ron DeSantis, is joining Jackie Toledo's campaign as campaign manager and senior adviser. Toledo, a state legislator, is running for Florida's reconfigured 15th district that includes a large chunk of eastern Hillsborough County. One of the candidates that Toledo is running against is former Rep. Dennis Ross, a Lakeland Republican who held the seat for eight years before deciding not to run for a reelection in 2018. Piccolo once worked as campaign manager for Ross and as his chief of staff for two years. "This not a Polk County seat," Piccolo said in a statement. "As the only candidate in this race who grew up, went to public school, graduated from college, and raised a family in Hillsborough County, Jackie knows that the citizens of District 15 can easily distinguish between their neighbor and politicians who can't give up power." — "Nikki Fried calls for five statewide debates among gubernatorial candidates," by Florida Politics' Kelly Hayes
| | TRUMPLANDIA AND THE SWAMP | | NEW FILINGS — "GOP lawmakers were deeply involved in Trump plans to overturn election, new evidence suggests ," by POLITICO's Kyle Cheney and Nicholas Wu: Deposition excerpts filed by the Jan 6. select committee — part of an effort to force former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows to appear for an interview — suggest that some of Trump's top allies in Congress were frequently present in meetings where a handful of strategies to prevent then-President-elect Joe Biden from taking office were discussed, including efforts to replace the leadership of the Justice Department with figures who would sow doubts about the legitimacy of the election. Lawmakers who attended meetings, in person or by phone, included Reps. Scott Perry (R-Pa.), Louie Gohmert (R-Texas), Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) and numerous members of the House Freedom Caucus, according to Cassidy Hutchinson, an aide to Meadows who provided key testimony about the conversations and meetings Meadows had in December 2020.
| | PENINSULA AND BEYOND | | GETTING HARDER — "As inflation rises, Floridians say it's hard to pay their bills," by Tampa Bay Times' Natalie Weber: "Nearly half of Floridians included in a recent survey say inflation has impacted their ability to pay essential bills. The finding comes from a survey conducted by the University of South Florida, asking 600 Floridians how price hikes have impacted their spending — and their attitudes on various related policy issues. The study was conducted between March 31 and April 12, using a sample of state residents whose demographics closely reflected those of the state's population. Inflation has impacted Floridians' spending on everything from food to housing, the survey found." FOLLOW THE MONEY — "Rivera diverted $13 million from Venezuelan deal to convicted drug trafficker, others," by Miami Herald's Jay Weaver and Antonio Maria Delgado: "As Venezuela's economy was crashing in 2017, the country's state-owned oil company hired former Miami Congressman David Rivera for a costly public relations campaign to improve the tarnished image of the Venezuelan firm in the United States. In just a few months, Rivera's consulting business collected $20 million from Venezuela's U.S. subsidiary, PDV USA, but its contract with the former politician abruptly ended when he was accused of doing little work, according to a lawsuit. Newly filed court documents reveal that Rivera diverted more than half of his PDV USA income — $13 million — to three subcontractors in Miami who supposedly provided "international strategic consulting services" for the Venezuelan firm."
| | ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN | | — "Floridian spends retirement capturing invasive lizards that threaten native wildlife," by CBS Miami: "Sid Pennington has decided to spend his retirement trapping invasive lizards threatening native wildlife in his community. Pennington, 60, has singlehandedly captured at least 117 Argentine black and white tegus from the woods and neighborhoods in western Fort Pierce where he lives. In September, after the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission saw how skilled Pennington was at catching nonnative tegus on his own, biologists lent him 20 traps and recruited him as a volunteer. He's caught 31 this year alone. 'I grew up being a big reptile guy,' said Pennington, a former employee at the St. Lucie Nuclear Plant." BIRTHDAYS: Former Rep. Larry Smith … David Richardson, Miami Beach city commissioner and former state legislator | | | | 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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