| | | | |  | | By Gary Fineout | Hello and welcome to Thursday. Here I am — State Sen. Annette Taddeo — who jumped into the governor's race months after the two main Democratic contenders and has lagged in fundraising and momentum — insists she isn't going anywhere. Response — But the Miami Democrat's campaign made that pronouncement after a strange set of incidents led to mounting speculation she was going to switch races and challenge Republican Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar. Bowing out — Multiple South Florida media outlets reported that Miami-Dade County Commissioner Eileen Higgins announced on Wednesday that she was ending her less-than-two week-old congressional campaign against Salazar. The stated reason? Higgins didn't want to run against Taddeo. Let's get together — Christian Ulvert, a campaign consultant for Higgins (who used to work for Taddeo until recently … hmm) gave a statement to the Miami Herald that Higgins would stay on the county commission "because I believe having a united front is critical in taking this seat back." Not our problem — Taddeo didn't respond directly to the chatter, but her campaign insisted — including publicly on Twitter — that is not the case. Nick Merlino, Taddeo's campaign manager, told POLITICO's Matt Dixon in a text message that "we can't control what Higgins says or does. Annette Taddeo is a candidate for governor. Period." What number would she wear? — Merlino also mocked the talk of Taddeo switching races: "Let's hope there aren't rumors Annette is going to play for the Buccaneers, it may force Brady to retire again." Why it matters — The bottom line is that Salazar's seat is one of the few competitive races in Florida under the currently adopted map (which is in the middle of being challenged. More on that below.) and it wouldn't be surprising if the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee was making inquiries to find a decent challenger. (Yes, there are other Democrats in the race.) Meanwhile, many Democrats continue to express discomfort over the fractured nature of the primary for governor. Will there be more fallout between now and when qualifying ends a month from now? — 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
| | | | 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. | | | | | |  | MAPMAKER, MAPMAKER | | OPENING ROUND — "Florida judge blocks DeSantis' congressional redistricting effort," by POLITICO's Gary Fineout: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' bid to remake the state's congressional map was dealt a major setback on Wednesday after a state judge said he would block the plan because of the way it scattered Black voters among several north Florida districts. DeSantis personally pushed the GOP-led Legislature to approve the map, which boosts the number of Republican-held seats in the nation's third-largest state. The map also dismantles the north Florida seat held by Rep. Al Lawson, a Black Democrat. Decision — Circuit Judge J. Layne Smith, who DeSantis appointed to the circuit court two years ago, said during a three-hour hearing Wednesday that arguments the map violated the state Constitution were "persuasive" because it "diminishes the ability of African Americans to elect candidates of their choice." He said he intended to put in place a map that would keep Lawson's district intact. Smith's announcement, however, doesn't settle the issue and is likely the start of a drawn-out legal fight that could eventually wind up before the state Supreme Court, which DeSantis has reshaped with a conservative majority.
| | CAMPAIGN MODE | | THE SHAPE I'M IN — "Florida Democrats struggle to find spotlight in race against DeSantis," by Tampa Bay Times' Kirby Wilson and Romy Ellenbogen: "The three leading Democratic candidates in the Florida governor's race — U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist, Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried and state Sen. Annette Taddeo — have a Ron DeSantis problem. The incumbent Republican governor has massively out-fundraised his Democratic opponents, and — despite constant negative messaging from Democrats — approval polling shows the governor is popular with voters. Some of the Democratic candidates' soundbites that have garnered attention have come at a cost: Fried at one point compared DeSantis to Adolf Hitler and Crist got pushback after saying DeSantis was trying to gin up support from the 'toothless crowd.'" | 
Sen. Annette Taddeo - Democratic candidate for governor - kicked off a 67-county campaign tour in front of the Governor's Mansion. | Gary Fineout/POLITICO |
WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS — "Mystery group behind ads in '20 Central Florida primary must reveal donors, judge rules," by Orlando Sentinel's Annie Martin: "A group that sent attack ads in a Central Florida state Senate primary without disclosing its donors, listing only a $250,000 'starting balance' in its reports to the state, must reveal its contributors and make its chairman available for a deposition, a judge ruled Wednesday. Though political committees are required to list their contributions publicly, Floridians for Equality and Justice reported just one contribution to the Florida Division of Elections, a $249,925 'starting balance' from a dark money nonprofit organization of the same name."
WHAT'S IN YOUR WALLET? — "Florida Big Sugar's campaign donations reach $6M in state races," by Miami Herald's Mary Ellen Klas: "Coming off a pivotal legislative session and heading into election season, Florida's largest sugar growers have given more than $6 million in campaign contributions to state races and thousands more to federal campaigns. The companies, U.S. Sugar and Florida Crystals, have given $3.8 million and $2.2 million respectively to state candidates and their political committees in the 2022 election cycle, according to first-quarter reports posted by the Florida Division of Elections and analyzed by the Times/Herald Tallahassee Bureau." NOT FLORIDA — " NRSC reserves $53 million in Senate battleground ads," by POLITICO's Natalie Allison — " Ben Diamond bows out of CD 13 fight," by Florida Politics' Jacob Ogles — "Parties positioning for another battle over Senate seat in Seminole County ," by Florida Politics' Scott Powers
| | ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... | | STANDING PUT — "House Democrats plan no leadership change amid Alexander's sexual harassment allegations," by POLITICO's Matt Dixon: Florida House Democrats have no immediate plans to shake up their leadership amid allegations that incoming Minority Leader Ramon Alexander sexually harassed a former Florida A&M University official. "These are serious allegations, but right now, I don't know, there is not plan for that," current House Minority Leader Evan Jenne told POLITICO on Wednesday. "I have not gotten a lot of calls from caucus members yet, or been able to talk to him [Alexander]." — " What we know about Rep. Alexander's sexual harassment allegations, his connection to FAMU," by Tallahassee Democrat's Jeff Burlew WE'RE WATCHING — " FLDOE flags Lee officials for discussions to 'circumvent' controversial education laws," by POLITICO's Andrew Atterbury: Florida education officials are calling out a school board for allegedly plotting to "circumvent" the implementation of controversial measures like the "Parental Rights in Education" bill during a recent workshop meeting. The Florida Department of Education — and one Florida Board of Education member — both criticized the Lee County School Board for comments made last month, demonstrating how closely the state is tracking local school leaders who have often been a thorn in the side of the Republican Legislature and Gov. Ron DeSantis. Even without taking an official action, the discussions in Lee County prompted a letter from the state and a rebuke Wednesday by the state board. HMM — "Taxpayers help pay bill for State Board of Ed meeting in Key West: Would a Zoom call have sufficed?" by Florida Phoenix's Danielle J. Brown: "Florida's State Board of Education, stationed in Tallahassee, traveled all the way down to Key West for a meeting Wednesday, partly at taxpayer expense for transportation and lodging in a tourist destination known for stray cats and chickens, flip-flops, and dive bars. The seven-member board asked several local school district leaders to join them at the southernmost point in the continental United States to discuss topics such as teacher salaries, the cost of living, and high gas prices." — " Gov. DeSantis still hasn't made decision over sheriff's lies," by The Associated Press — "Laura Branker, former health official in Jeb Bush administration, dies ," by Florida Politics' Christine Jordan Sexton
| | | | DON'T MISS DIGITAL FUTURE DAILY - OUR TECHNOLOGY NEWSLETTER, RE-IMAGINED: Technology is always evolving, and our new tech-obsessed newsletter is too! Digital Future Daily unlocks the most important stories determining the future of technology, from Washington to Silicon Valley and innovation power centers around the world. Readers get an in-depth look at how the next wave of tech will reshape civic and political life, including activism, fundraising, lobbying and legislating. Go inside the minds of the biggest tech players, policymakers and regulators to learn how their decisions affect our lives. Don't miss out, subscribe today. | | | | | | | TRUMPLANDIA AND THE SWAMP | | UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT — "Trump sells D.C. hotel lease to Miami investment group," by Washington Post's Jonathan O'Connell: "Donald Trump is leaving Pennsylvania Avenue again. The Trump name at the former president's D.C. hotel — on facade signs, linens, bar napkins and coasters — is set to be removed after the sale of his government lease for the property to CGI Merchant Group for a record-setting $375 million. Miami-based CGI Merchant is partnering with Hilton to turn the Pennsylvania Avenue property into a Waldorf Astoria hotel, ending a more than five-year run in which the hotel became a power center in Trump's Washington and a symbol of how he mixed business and politics like no other president in history." HEFTY FINES — "Judge lifts contempt order against Trump in civil inquiry," by The New York Times' Jonah E. Bromwich and Ben Protess: "Donald J. Trump was released from a judicial order holding him in contempt of court on Wednesday, ending an embarrassing two-week period for the former president, whose business practices are under civil investigation by the New York state attorney general. A New York State judge, Arthur F. Engoron, held Mr. Trump in contempt late last month after finding that he had failed to comply with the terms of a December subpoena sent by the attorney general, Letitia James, requesting documents from his personal files. The judge ordered Mr. Trump to pay $10,000 a day until he complied, leading to a $110,000 penalty." — "Florida man pleads guilty to role in Capitol riot," by The Associated Press — " Role in Jan. 6 Capitol riot earns Boynton-area man house arrest, 100 hours of community service," by Palm Beach Post's Jane Musgrave
| | DATELINE D.C. | | MINORITY VIEWPOINT — "Matt Gaetz wants Congress to decide if U.S. should go to war with Russia," by Newsweek's Jon Jackson: "Republican Representative Matt Gaetz of Florida on Wednesday criticized government support of Ukraine, stating that if members of Congress 'recklessly' assert that the U.S. is at war with Russia then it should be officially declared. While speaking on the House floor, Gaetz warned of a 'dangerous bipartisan consensus that is walking us into war with Russia.' The congressman, who was among the 57 House Republicans who voted against a new $40 billion aid package for Ukraine, said the government should prioritize domestic issues."
| | PENINSULA AND BEYOND | | FINAL RESOLUTION? — "Surfside condo collapse victims reach $997 million settlement," by The New York Times' Patricia Mazzei and Livia Albeck-Ripka: "Families of the victims of the collapse of the Champlain Towers South condominium in Surfside, Fla., that killed 98 people last year have reached a $997 million settlement to compensate them for their staggering losses of life. The settlement, revealed at a court hearing on Wednesday and still pending final approval, includes insurance companies, developers of an adjacent building and other defendants in the extensive civil case. It comes six weeks before the first anniversary of the tragedy on June 24. 'I'm shocked by this result — I think it's fantastic,' said Judge Michael A. Hanzman of the Circuit Court in Miami-Dade County." | 
Crews work in the rubble Champlain Towers South condo on June 29 in Surfside, Fla. | Lynne Sladky/AP Photo |
AFTERMATH — "Father of Surfside victim says $1 billion settlement won't bring families closure," by Miami Herald's Martin Vassolo: "The father of a victim of the Surfside condo collapse said the nearly $1 billion legal settlement reached Wednesday won't buy closure for his family. His daughter, 27-year-old Miami attorney Nicole Langesfeld, was among the 98 people who died in the June 24 tragedy at the Champlain Towers South. Her husband Luis Sadovnic, 28, died in the collapse as well. 'There's absolutely no amount of money that will compensate for the loss of my daughter,' Pablo Langesfeld said."
— " $1 billion settlement for victims of Surfside condo collapse ranks among highest in Florida," by Miami Herald's Jay Weaver — " Miami-Dade closer to 30-year building inspections in proposal after Surfside collapse," by Miami Herald's Douglas Hanks BY THE NUMBERS — "Disney theme park revenues double even amid scuffle with DeSantis, GOP ," by Orlando Sentinel's Katie Rice: "Walt Disney Co. executives boasted about another blockbuster quarter Wednesday at its theme parks even as they remained mum about the feud with Gov. Ron DeSantis. During an earnings call, executives did not mention the widespread criticism levied at Disney for its response to Florida's so-called 'don't say gay bill' in March — which intensified after the bill passed the Legislature and Disney CEO Bob Chapek vowed to fight it." MORE FALLOUT — "Republicans took away Disney's special status in Florida. Now they're gunning for Mickey Mouse himself," by Los Angeles Times' Hugo Martin: "But in 2024, the copyright protection for Mickey Mouse will expire, putting the original, old-timey version of the mouse from the 'Steamboat Willie' animation in the public domain, freeing it for artists, creators and everyday fans to use in their own creative work. A group of Republican lawmakers has vowed to oppose any effort to extend the protection — already extended twice since the original expiration date in 1984 — as a way to punish Disney, which some conservatives have cast as an outsize cultural force with a progressive agenda they have recently taken to describing as dangerous." — "Attorneys for textbook whistleblower sends evidence that Florida school districts were overcharged millions," by The Capitolist's Brian Burgess
| | ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN | | — "Pilot down, passenger takes over with 'no idea how to fly,'" by The Associated Press: "A passenger with no flying experience radioed an urgent plea for help when the pilot of a small plane suddenly fell ill off Florida's Atlantic coast, and was able to land the plane safely with the help of air traffic controllers. 'I've got a serious situation here,' the man said Tuesday afternoon, according to audio on LiveATC.net, a website that broadcasts and archives air traffic controller communications. 'My pilot has gone incoherent. I have no idea how to fly the airplane.'" BIRTHDAYS: Florida Supreme Court Justice Alan Lawson … Leslie Dughi with Metz, Husband & Daughton | | | | 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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