| | | | |  | | By Gary Fineout | It's Wednesday and Americans are once again struggling to make sense of anything in the aftermath of another deadly school shooting. Repeat — The sickening details from Texas comes slightly more than four years after the horrific massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School that left 17 dead. That mass shooting prompted Florida legislators and then-Gov. Rick Scott to enact some slight changes to the state's gun laws, including one that raised the legal age to purchase a rifle to 21. 'Not normal' — Fred Guttenberg, whose 14-year-old daughter was killed at Parkland, appeared on television last night after President Joe Biden spoke to the nation and said "it just continues to pull me back to a moment that is unfathomable." Guttenberg added that "the country needs to hear our voices. This is not normal. This is not OK." Something, anything? — In the minutes and hours after the tragedy, a strident debate over gun control and finger-pointing erupted on social media — a familiar ritual that means nothing to those now grieving. David Hogg, who was a student at Parkland and founder of March for Our Lives, did say this on Twitter: "Gun owners, non-gun owners, the left, the right, Americans need to stop focusing on what we can't agree on and demand or politicians act on what we do agree on. Even if it's small and saves just one life- it's worth it a reduction in gun violence is better than nothing." Good morning from Miramar Beach, where Florida's election supervisors have gathered (without much publicity) this week ahead of the 2022 elections amid an environment where they continue to be confronted by those who still question the results of the last election. — 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
| | | | 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. | | | | | |  | DRIVING THE DAY | | 'RIGHT NOW HE'S SILENT' — "'Sick and tired.' Demings pushes for gun legislation, slams Rubio at Miami rally," by Miami Herald's Anna Wilder and Bianca Padró Ocasio: "Just hours earlier, Demings said, she had gotten a text message from her communications director in Washington that 18 children and three adults were killed in a Texas elementary school by an 18-year-old. The message, she said, left her speechless. 'I'm sick and tired of innocent people being gunned down in innocent places,' Demings said, speaking to a crowd of about 50 supporters at the Little Haiti Cultural Center. She called her opponent, Florida's senior senator, Republican Marco Rubio, a 'do-nothing senator' who 'likes to be comfortable.'"
| | CAMPAIGN MODE | | DEALING WITH THE 'BIG LIE' — The Republicans and Democrats responsible for running Florida's elections this year are spending four days together at their summer conference going over everything from new voting laws to cybersecurity to efforts aimed at removing ineligible voters from the rolls. Drip, drip, drip — But the backdrop for election supervisors — many of who have spent years, if not decades, in the field — is the constant insistence from followers of former President Donald Trump that the 2020 election results, even in Florida, were somehow wrong. The new normal? — Supervisors, many of them on background, talked about how exasperated they are from those wrongly convinced that Trump's victory in Florida should have been larger. They are dealing with constant public record requests to see voting rolls and even ballots. They have been bombarded, and in some cases even threatened, by those unwilling to accept the results that sent Joe Biden to the White House. Meet the new boss — Secretary of State Laurel Lee's abrupt resignation also caught some supervisors by surprise — as did the elevation of former state Rep. Cord Byrd to the post by Gov. Ron DeSantis. Lee had managed to work well with supervisors after a frosty relationship with Tallahassee, when Rick Scott was governor. (Those close to Lee insist her departure to run for Congress was on her own volition.) Moving forward — Some supervisors, including Republicans, have stopped talking to election deniers. Others say they will keep trying to explain why there is no reason to question the election in Florida. Exiting — Another scenario, however, is also underway: They are simply walking away. One local election official who is leaving after this year's contests said that many Florida supervisors were like frogs in a pot of boiling water where the temperature is going up slowly each year and they haven't noticed how bad it has gotten. Overheard — One point of apparent agreement: During lunch on Tuesday, there was a joke (sort of) that the situation is worse now than it was in the aftermath of the chaotic 2000 recount that included protests and a legal battle that reached the U.S. Supreme Court. Let that sink in. FIRST IMPRESSIONS — " Florida's new election chief sidesteps 2020 question, but vows to blunt threats," by POLITICO's Gary Fineout: Gov. Ron DeSantis' new chief election officer on Tuesday sidestepped questions about the legitimacy of President Joe Biden's election but maintained that the 2020 election was "accurate" in Florida. Secretary of State Cord Byrd, in one of his first public appearances since assuming his post earlier this month, addressed the state's 67 election supervisors at their summer conference held at a golf and beach resort in Northwest Florida. During his remarks, he laid out plans to create a new election crimes unit that he says will target not only voter fraud but will also investigate threats against election officials. 'Certified' winner — But Byrd, who took over as secretary of state a week ago, would not say whether or not Biden won the presidential election "fair and square." Instead he said twice that Biden was "certified" as the winner and that he was president. "There were irregularities in certain states," Byrd told reporters during a brief media availability. "I'm the secretary of state of Florida. I'm not the secretary of state of Wisconsin or Pennsylvania or Arizona. That's up to their voters. We in Florida had a successful election in 2020. And that's what I want to continue to have in 2022." Response — He was being viewed warily by some of those election supervisors who gathered to hear him on Tuesday. "The jury's still out," said Polk County Supervisor of Elections Lori Edwards, a Democrat and former state legislator. "I think it would be naïve to expect a governor to appoint someone who does not reflect share his partisan views." Mark Earley, the Leon County elections supervisor and Democrat who will take over as president of the statewide association next week, had dinner with Byrd on Sunday with Wesley Wilcox, the Marion County supervisor and a Republican. Earley said they had a "frank and open discussion" and that he is "optimistic" about Byrd, noting his answers that Florida's election results were "accurate" and his support for mail-in ballots. | 
Secretary of State Cord Byrd talks to reporters ahead of his remarks at the summer conference of the Florida Supervisors of Elections | Gary Fineout/POLITICO |
THE HEIR — "How Ron DeSantis could out-Trump Trump all the way to the White House," by Newsweek's Steve Friess: "No, the politician is not Donald Trump but rather Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who lately seems bent on executing just about every page of the former president's political playbook—only with a sunnier demeanor, less offensive language and fewer of the personal antics that make Trump so polarizing. At 43, the once little-known backbench congressman has transformed himself into perhaps the hottest, most consequential political figure of his generation so far—possibly the only one capable of going head-to-head with Trump for the GOP nod in 2024 and with a shot at taking the presidency away from Joe Biden or whoever the Democrats nominate."
'UNFAIR ADVANTAGE' — "Three charged in Central Florida 'ghost candidate' scheme," by POLITICO's Matt Dixon: Florida authorities say a sham candidate running for Florida Senate in 2020 accepted $1,200 in illegal political contributions as part of a scheme to fix a race for a crucial Central Florida seat won by Republicans. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement on Tuesday announced that three people were being charged as part of that scheme, including 36-year-old Jestine Iannotti, who was one of two no-party affiliated "ghost candidates" used in key Senate races across the state during the 2020 election cycle. It was an effort by Republicans to use independent candidates in key Florida Senate races to siphon votes from the Democratic candidates in those races. — "'Fight, Freddy, fight.' Facing friend in primary, Rep. Wilson kicks off reelection bid," by Miami Herald's Bianca Padró Ocasio — " The Ron DeSantis administration gave $16.5 million. The Ron DeSantis campaign got $200,000," by Seeking Rents Jason Garcia — " Jerry Torres hopes experience in uniform and as CEO sets him apart in crowded CD 15 field," by Florida Politics' Jacob Ogles
| | | | HAPPENING TODAY—A WOMEN RULE TALK ON THE MIDTERMS : Join POLITICO'S Women Rule for a conversation with the women running the midterm campaigns and how they are shaping messaging and strategy for their candidates. The program will look into what a win for either party could mean for access to reproductive health care, economic advancement of women, and how the final stages of the Covid-19 pandemic are managed. REGISTER HERE. | | | | | | | ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... | | SPECIAL SESSION SPECIAL — "Florida lawmakers agree on condo reforms after Surfside tragedy," by POLITICO's Andrew Atterbury: Florida lawmakers on Tuesday reached a tentative deal for a proposed slate of reforms to the state's condominium laws in the wake of a tragic tower collapse last year in Surfside that killed 98 people. Just like that — House and Senate leaders announced the agreement as lawmakers were in Tallahassee to hash out legislation aiming to bolster Florida's ongoing property insurance woes and are fast tracking the 101-page condo bill through the statehouse this week. The legislation includes key pieces — and some deviations — from proposals that advanced during the 2022 session but were ultimately left on the cutting room floor when the chambers reached a stalemate. — " Families of Surfside collapse victims and survivors urge passage of condo safety bill," by Miami Herald's Martin Vassolo and Linda Robertson | 
A general view of the partially collapsed 12-story Champlain Towers South condo building on July 3, 2021 in Surfside, Fla. | Michael Reaves/Getty Images |
COMING SOON? — "Florida Republicans eye total ban on abortions ," by POLITICO's Arek Sarkissian: Florida Republican leaders are signaling they're open to a complete ban on abortions next year if the Supreme Court overturns the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade decision. Incoming state Senate and House leaders this week told POLITICO they aren't immediately ready to pursue a strict ban on abortions but will follow the will of the GOP-led Legislature, which already voted to ban abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy. That ban is the strictest in state history.
— "Anti-abortion activists rally in Tallahassee, call for special session to ban abortion," by Tallahassee Democrat's Ana Goñi-Lessan and James Call DAY 2 — " Senate passed insurance overhaul bill on bipartisan vote," by POLITICO's Matt Dixon: During a lengthy floor session where lawmakers approved the measure on a bipartisan 30-9 vote, senators grilled Sen. Jim Boyd (R-Bradenton), who sponsored the bill, including over the perception that the legislation favors insurance companies over state trial attorneys, their chief rivals and homeowners who they are trying to help. The proposal creates a 2 percent roof deductible that some homeowners would have to pay to replace their roofs — an expense not in current law — and erodes the ability for lawyers to receive attorney fee "multipliers" in many property insurance-related lawsuits, and includes no immediate rate increases. — "Insurance Commissioner questioned by House panel as insurance bill heads to floor," by Florida Politics' Gray Rohrer — " Senate Dems call GOP property-insurance bill a $2 billion tax giveaway': Republicans defend plan," by Florida Phoenix's Laura Cassels NEW LEADER — "' Our chances are slim': Rep. Driskell acknowledges challenges leading Florida Democrats," by Tallahassee Democrat's James Call: " Rep. Fentrice Driskell fills a leadership void created when Rep. Ramon Alexander, D-Tallahassee, announced he was leaving the House after a Tallahassee Democrat investigative report about sexual harassment allegations against him. Alexander did not attend the caucus meeting, nor was he mentioned during the vote or discussions. Democrats declined to speak about the scandal, instead acknowledging challenges and focusing on the future of Florida." Going forward — "'Together we will fight for every for every Floridian's freedom to be healthy, prosperous and safe,' said Driskell after her selection. 'The very soul of our state depends upon it,' she said. 'Let's get to work.'" — "State asked to reconsider decision to drop out of national youth risk behavior survey ," by Florida Politics' Christine Jordan Sexton
| | DATELINE D.C. | | RESPONSE — "Most in Senate GOP shun total abortion ban," by POLITICO's Marianne LeVine and Burgess Everett: The Georgia GOP Senate candidate [Herschel Walker] told reporters last week that "there's no exception in my mind" for abortion. But that's a step too far for most of the GOP caucus, which is trying to wrest Senate control from Democrats this fall. "Most of the people I talk to believe there ought to be reasonable restrictions and reasonable exceptions," said Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.), chair of Senate Republicans' campaign arm. "But every candidate's going to decide where they are." CORNERSTONE PROJECT' — " Biden commits $265 million for South Florida reservoir, key component of Everglades restoration," by South Florida Sun-Sentinel: "President Joe Biden has committed $265 million of federal funding toward construction of a long-awaited reservoir in South Florida that is a critical component to restoration of the Everglades. U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, whose district borders the Everglades in Broward County and is the longest serving Democrat in the Florida Congressional Delegation, made the announcement Tuesday."
| | ...HURRICANE HOLE... | | LOOMING — "Hurricane season predicted to be 7th consecutive year of above-average storm prediction, NOAA says," by Orlando Sentinel's Joe Mario Pedersen: "On Tuesday, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration released its prediction of a 65% chance of experiencing an above-average 2022 Atlantic hurricane season, beginning June 1 and running until Nov. 30. 'You look at the the climate models, you look at some of the climate predictors, and it's, it's a very similar pattern to last year,' said Ken Graham, the National Hurricane Center director, last month during the Orlando National Hurricane Conference. 'We're still dealing with this La Niña, which usually means a more active pattern in the Atlantic.'"
| | PENINSULA AND BEYOND | | HMM — "Swiss banking leak shows how Miami Beach men tied to oligarch reaped a fortune in Ukraine," by McClatchy D.C.'s Shirsho Dasgupta: "The FBI raided their Miami offices in 2020 and also seized commercial properties they owned in Ohio, Kentucky and Texas. The feds' rationale for the raid, according to court filings, is that Korf and Laber allegedly funneled fraudulent proceeds for a billionaire named Igor Kolomoisky and laundered millions through American real estate, including industrial plants in America's heartland that have since shrunk or closed. The pair deny doing anything wrong." 'IT'S SO INCREDIBLY TRAGIC' — " The Fight to Bring Seminole Ancestors Home," by Flamingo Magazine's Eric Barton: "Skeletons waited for Ryan Wheeler in the basement of a prestigious Massachusetts institution. It was November 2012 when the Floridian and archaeologist began pulling out rows of economically built wood filing cabinets, as if Ikea existed a century ago. He found bits of pottery and items that were buried with the dead over the course of centuries. They had been unearthed along with thousands of Native American remains that ended up in the institute's storage. Wheeler knew none of them should be there." INCREASE — " Judge: Surfside collapse property owners bumped up to $96M," by The Associated Press' Curt Anderson and Brendan Farrington: "Homeowners with condos in the Florida building that collapsed and killed 98 people nearly a year ago but whose families suffered no loss of life will share at least $96 million from a court settlement, a judge said Tuesday. That is in addition to the payout of about $1 billion to be shared by families of the victims of the June 24 collapse of the Champlain Towers South building in Surfside. Additional fees for lawyers will be settled later." — " Broward agrees to give millions more to sheriff for salaries and raises to 'right this ship' of troubled 911 call centers," by South Florida Sun-Sentinel's Lisa J. Huriash — " More than 150 Haitian migrants stopped off the Florida Keys in an overloaded sailboat," by FLKeysNews.com's David Goodhue — "Jacksonville City Council votes down monument removal referendum ," by Florida Politics' A.G. Gancarski | | | | 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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