News: POLITICO Florida Playbook: GOP legislators bow to DeSantis on new maps for Florida

Tuesday, April 12, 2022

POLITICO Florida Playbook: GOP legislators bow to DeSantis on new maps for Florida

Apr 12, 2022

Good Tuesday morning.

Setting me up — It shouldn't have been a surprise, but the announcement from Florida's Republican legislative leaders that they were defaulting to Gov. Ron DeSantis when it comes to finally sorting out Florida's redistricting mess struck like a thunderbolt.

Communique — Senate President Wilton Simpson and House Speaker Chris Sprowls made it clear on Monday that their staffs were not drawing any maps ahead of next week's planned special session because they were waiting for the DeSantis administration to give them something.

Skateaway — The logic is this: DeSantis submitted his own maps in January and then, late last month, proceeded to veto the one sent to him by the Legislature and ordered legislators back to town. The choices left, then, were to defy a governor who is wildly popular with the Republican base (during an election year) and let the courts sort it all out … or to play along. "Our goal during the special session is to pass a new congressional map that will both earn the governor's signature and withstand legal scrutiny," the two leaders wrote in a memo. So that's that.

The man's too strong — DeSantis is pushing hard on this, after contending that minority access districts (seats that are not minority-majority districts but still elect minority candidates) run afoul of federal laws. A few weeks ago, GOP legislators called DeSantis's position a "novel legal theory" that they suggested does not follow past court decisions — especially at the state level. Now they appear ready to give the governor want he wants.

Telegraph road — Democrats reacted furiously to the news. Abel Iraola, a spokesman for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, called it a "unprecedented and shameless abdication" and said that any plan from DeSantis "would be a nonstarter and an attack on Black representation in Florida." Or, read another way: We'll see you in court. Rep. Al Lawson, the Black Democrat from North Florida whose district has been targeted for elimination by DeSantis, criticized legislators to "caving to the intimidation of DeSantis."

Sultans of swing — This is not completely set in stone. It's not clear if the governor wants legislators to use the map his office previously submitted, or if he plans to offer up a new proposal. Plus, there remain outstanding questions as to who helped the governor's office with its maps and whether they were drawn with partisan intent (which would violate Florida's voter approved anti-gerrymandering standards). There are lawsuits pending in both state and federal court — but with the clock ticking ahead of the August primary there may not be enough time for a court to resolve this mess in 2022.

— 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

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MAPMAKER, MAPMAKER

WAITING — "Florida Legislature won't draft new redistricting map, deferring to DeSantis," by Miami Herald's Ana Ceballos: "In a highly unusual move, Republican legislative leaders on Monday deferred to Gov. Ron DeSantis to draft a new congressional map in an apparent attempt to appease the governor and dissolve intraparty tensions over the redistricting process in Florida. The decision, announced jointly by Senate President Wilton Simpson and House Speaker Chris Sprowls, comes two weeks after DeSantis vetoed a congressional map approved by the Legislature and called state lawmakers back into a special session to craft a new plan that would be to his liking."

CAMPAIGN MODE

IT'S A SMALL WORLD AFTER ALL — "Disney gave $190K to support Florida Republicans as lawmakers met ," by POLITICO's Gary Fineout: Weeks before The Walt Disney Co. took a stand against Florida's contentious "Parental Rights in Education" law — which has been called the "Don't Say Gay" bill by its critics — the theme park operator and entertainment conglomerate donated $190,000 to support Florida Republicans.

Heigh-ho — The company gave $125,000 to the Republican Party of Florida and $65,000 to a committee that helps elect GOP state senators, led by incoming state Senate President Kathleen Passidomo. All the donations, which were disclosed in new campaign filings Monday, arrived as the state legislative session was getting underway in January. Disney also donated $25,000 to a leadership fund led by Senate Democratic Leader Lauren Book on the day before the start of the session.

DREAMING — " Nikki Fried says she's not dropping out of governor's race to run for Congress," by Sun Sentinel's Anthony Man: "Asked in a telephone interview about the chatter among some in Broward political circles, she burst out laughing, and emphatically said it's not true. Fried, the only statewide elected Democrat in Florida, was living in Broward before she ran for state agriculture commissioner, the job she currently holds, in 2018. The congressional district — mostly in Broward plus part of Palm Beach County — is represented by U.S. Rep. Ted Deutch will open up this year because the incumbent announced on Feb. 28 he isn't running for re-election."

Cc Steve Geller — "Fried said she's never considered it, and said supporters of one of the other Democratic gubernatorial candidates are responsible for spreading the notion. 'That is an absolute, made-up rumor by the Charlie Crist campaign because that's what they were hoping for,' she said. Some Crist supporters have been open in their desire for Fried to bow out of the primary, but the congressional rumor had circulated recently beyond his camp."

Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried speaks during a news conference.

Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried speaks during a news conference on Nov. 9, 2021, in Miami. | Lynne Sladky/AP Photo

MEANWHILE SHE'S BUILDING A PLATFORM — "Fried outlines affordable housing plan, calls for emergency declaration," by POLITICO's Matt Dixon: Democratic gubernatorial candidate Nikki Fried wants to declare affordable housing in Florida an emergency, amplifying an issue Republican majorities in the state have come under fire for in recent weeks after adjourning the legislative session without doing much to address the issue. Fried, who is also the state's Agriculture Commissioner, rolled out her campaign's platform to fix Florida's worsening affordable housing crisis, which everyone agrees is a problem and is increasingly becoming a keystone issue headed into the 2022 midterms.

CAMPAIGN ROUNDUP — Americans for Prosperity Action announced on Monday it was endorsing the reelection campaigns of Republican Reps. Kat Cammack, Scott Franklin and Maria Elvira Salazar and that the organization will mobilize on their behalf in the 2022 election … The Florida Bail Agents Association announced it has endorsed Republican Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis … state Rep. Kelly Skidmore, who is switching House districts due to redistricting, has picked up the endorsements of 35 elected officials including Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, Rep. Lois Frankel and 24 legislators.

— " Trump would 'destroy' a DeSantis presidential run with a single tweet, says Nikki Fried, Florida Democratic gubernatorial candidate," by Insider's Kimberly Leonard

— "CD 22 candidate Curtis Calabrese illegally running as a Democrat, experts say ," by Florida Politics' Jesse Scheckner

... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ...

REMEMBER SURFSIDE — Florida Democrats including Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, who represents the South Florida town where a condominium collapse killed 98 people, are calling on Gov. Ron DeSantis to expand next week's special session on redistricting so legislators can enact changes to the state's condominium laws. All 11 Democrats in the state's congressional delegation signed a letter that went to the governor on Monday evening that called on him to focus attention on this "urgent manner."

Dear governor — Ninety-eight people died when the Champlain Towers partially collapsed. But disagreements over a revamp to the state's condominium laws resulted in legislators ending their regular session without taking action. The letter: "In the aftermath of the tragedy, you made a commitment that Florida would take action. On July 8, you stated 'if there is something identified that would have implications broader than Champlain Towers, then obviously we're [going to] take that and act as appropriate.' The letter also notes that last week a 60-unit building in North Miami Beach was evacuated after it was found to be structurally unsound: "Ensuring the safety of condominium residents cannot wait another year. Lives are at stake."

'THIS WILL BE TREMENDOUS' — "DeSantis signs bill aimed at addressing 'decline of fatherhood,'" by Tampa Bay Times' Romy Ellenbogen and Rick Stroud: "Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a wide-ranging bill on Monday aimed at supporting fathers and children by connecting men with career services and boys with mentorship. The bill was a priority for outgoing House Speaker Chris Sprowls, who earlier in the year declared that Florida had a 'fatherhood crisis.' The bill, HB 7065, directs millions of dollars to initiatives meant to support men in being parents, such as having case managers help fathers find jobs and transition from prison. Money will also go toward distributing information about effective parenting, including a media campaign that hopes to use public figures and influencers as spokespeople."

COMING SOON?— "Brandes takes first step to force special session on Florida property insurance," by Tampa Bay Times' Romy Ellenbogen: "Sen. Jeff Brandes said Monday he's gotten enough signatures from state legislators to begin the process of calling a special session on Florida's property insurance woes without the sign-off of legislative leadership. It's the outgoing St. Petersburg Republican's latest move to shake up the regular order of Tallahassee after a decade in office where he was known for being willing to buck his party. Brandes sent a letter last week to Senate President Wilton Simpson and House Speaker Chris Sprowls calling for a session dedicated to dealing with the state's turbulent property insurance market."

— "Gov. DeSantis backs Jeff Brandes' call for property insurance special session," by Florida Politics' Renzo Downey

— " Charlie Crist joins Democratic state lawmakers in condemning corporate tax refunds," by Florida Politics' Scott Powers

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DATELINE D.C.

RUBIO TARGET OF RADIO AD — The Florida Immigrant Coalition is spending $25,000 on radio ads that are launching Tuesday on several Spanish radio stations. The new ad hits Sen. Marco Rubio for supporting immigration policies being pushed by Gov. Ron DeSantis including his administration's push to stop licensing facilities that house migrant children on behalf of the federal government. The ads include audio from a voicemail from his mother that surfaced amid the immigration debate that occurred in Washington, D.C. nearly a decade ago. In the voicemail, Rubio's mother tells him "don't mess with the immigrants, my son." The ad contends in Spanish that "Marco Rubio reneged where he comes from." Rubio's mother died in 2019.

MURPHY VISITS POLAND — "Florida Democrat 'heartbroken' by Ukrainian refugees at border with Poland ," by The Hill's Chloe Folmar: "Rep. Stephanie Murphy (D-Fla.) said Sunday she was 'heartbroken' by the scene of Ukrainian refugees flowing across the Polish border, during a bipartisan trip to visit allies in the region. 'As a refugee, and a mother of two young kids, I'm just heartbroken by what I've witnessed,' Murphy said in a video. 'I'm also amazed by the resilience of the Ukrainian people and inspired by their strength.' The congressional delegation is at the Poland-Ukraine border meeting with American and European officials responding to the Ukrainian refugee crisis."

Stephanie Murphy

Rep. Stephanie Murphy, D-Fla. speaks during a news conference to introduce legislation that would designate the Pulse nightclub site as a national memorial, Monday, June 10, 2019, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux) | John Raoux/AP Photo

PRESENT — "Parkland father visits White House weeks after being detained by police over protest," by Miami Herald's Bryan Lowry and McClatchy D.C.'s Francesca Chambers: "[Manuel] Oliver, an artist, was detained by police in February after staging a dramatic protest near the White House on the anniversary of the Parkland shooting. He scaled a construction crane and hung a banner with a picture of his son, one of the 17 people killed at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in 2018. The banner offered a critical message to Biden that '45k people died from gun violence on your watch.' In a video posted to Twitter, Oliver said he had requested a meeting with Biden a month earlier. Weeks later, Oliver was one of Biden's invited guests in the White House Rose Garden as the president announced new federal regulations cracking down on ghost guns, untraceable weapons that can be assembled from a kit."

— "Rep. Michael Waltz pens children's book to combat liberal agenda: 'We need to take our kids' education back ,'" by Fox News's Brian Flood and Nikolas Lanum

— "Congressman Webster sponsors legislation to ban Russian timber," by Villages-News.com

CORONAVIRUS UPDATES

FOR YOUR RADAR — "Broward schools may fight back after the state punished mask-mandating districts," by Sun Sentinel's Scott Travis: "South Florida schools may be ready for another fight with the state related to masks. No, there are no plans to bring back mandates that students wear facial coverings on campus, but at least one school district — Broward County's — is discussing a legal challenge to a state-funding decision related to mask mandates. The three South Florida school districts — Broward, Palm Beach and Miami-Dade — could be out more than $100 million combined, money that goes directly to schools for employee bonuses."

— " COVID-19 and BA.2 variant rising in Central Florida wastewater," by Orlando Sentinel's Caroline Catherman and Stephen Hudak

THE GUNSHINE STATE

ASKED TO LEAVE — "Entire panel of jurors released when 8 distraught people balk at deciding fate of confessed Parkland killer," by Sun Sentinel's Brittany Wallman and Rafael Olmeda: "A judge dismissed an entire panel of 60 jurors Monday afternoon after too many became visibly upset at the prospect of deciding the fate of the Parkland mass shooter. The emotional moment was the most challenging part of a day that otherwise went smoothly, but it served as a reminder of the passionate currents running through the sentencing trial of Nikolas Cruz, who is facing the death penalty for 17 counts of murder."

PENINSULA AND BEYOND

SHOWDOWN — "Trial opens in Florida opioid lawsuit case against Walgreens," by Associated Press' Curt Anderson: "A trial opened Monday in Florida's opioid epidemic lawsuit against the Walgreens pharmacy chain, which state officials accuse of prioritizing profits over health by improperly dispensing millions of powerful painkillers that caused tens of thousands of deaths. The trial, in Pasco County north of Tampa, comes after other defendants in the Florida lawsuit including the CVS drug store chain settled for an estimated $870 million. The state could seek similar massive damages from Walgreens in the jury trial expected to last a few weeks."

— " Explainer: Where do U.S. opioid trials, settlements stand?" by Associated Press' Geoff Mulvihill

R.I.P. — "' Injustice infuriated him': Bill Sheppard, civil rights attorney who transformed Jacksonville and Florida, dies," by The Tributary's Andrew Pantazi: "[Bill] Sheppard's was the first integrated law firm in Florida, with law partner Henry Lee Adams Jr. later becoming the first Black judge on the 4th Judicial Circuit and the first Black federal judge in the Middle District of Florida. Sheppard's lawsuits legalized same-sex marriage in Florida, led to a federal takeover of state prisons, sparked the construction of a less crowded county jail and forced the city into a consent decree over its discrimination against Black firefighters."

ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN

BIRTHDAYS: Fred Piccolo with McNicholas & Associates … Joe Saunders, former state legislator and Equality Florida's senior political director ... Trey Stapleton of D3 Strategic Partners ... The Advocacy Group at Cardenas Partner's Chris Chaney ... Jared Rosenstein of Capital City Consulting