News : POLITICO Florida Playbook: DeSantis to pull in public money for his campaign

Friday, June 10, 2022

POLITICO Florida Playbook: DeSantis to pull in public money for his campaign

Jun 10, 2022

Hello and welcome to Friday.

Making it work — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis wants to make sure he has every advantage heading into his fall reelection. And that apparently includes taking what some Republicans have called "welfare for politicians."

Take the money and run — DeSantis on Thursday filed all his campaign-related paperwork to qualify for reelection, and that included — surprise — a request to accept public matching funds. It's a move that will probably result in the GOP governor receiving millions in added financial help. (DeSantis got $3.2 million in his initial campaign for governor.)

How does this happen? — Wait, you ask — how can someone who has raised in excess of $113 million so far (a figure that will go up even more today when May reports are filed) get taxpayer help? Well, because he can.

In place — Public financing was first setup back in the late 80s (when Democrats controlled the Legislature) as a way to deal with the rising cost of campaigns. Republicans have regularly slammed it as a waste of taxpayer money and even unsuccessfully tried to get voters to scrap the program in 2010. During the 2018 election, nearly $10 million was handed out to 10 candidates for statewide office.

Law, what law? — But here's the deal: Public financing doesn't take into account the reality of what's going on — or the loopholes in Florida's campaign finance law. Most of what DeSantis has raised has been through a separate political committee. Now, that committee can't spend money on ads that tell people to "vote for" DeSantis or "vote against" say Nikki Fried. But it can run ads generally trash his opponents or talk about what a great job DeSantis has done. The committee, which can fully coordinate its actions with his reelection campaign, can also give the money to the Republican Party of Florida.

Restrictions, sort of — Under the public financing law, DeSantis does have to abide by spending limits or his campaign can be fined. But that only applies to his main reelection account, which so far has raised nearly $10 million. The limit this year is more than $30 million.

Short list — Some Republicans such as former Gov. Rick Scott (who successfully sued to prevent a rival from getting extra matching funds) and former Gov. Jeb Bush have said no to the taxpayer cash. (Democratic nominee Alex Sink did too.) And Senate President Wilton Simpson — who is running as agriculture commissioner — is not taking the money either. Most candidates, however, and that will include DeSantis' two Democratic rivals, Charlie Crist and Nikki Fried, will rely on taxpayers to fund their campaigns. And so it goes.

— WHERE'S RON? — Nothing official announced for Gov. DeSantis.

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DRIVING THE DAY

OPENING — Jan. 6 panel lets Trump allies narrate the case against him, by POLITICO's Kyle Cheney and Jordain Carney: The Jan. 6 select committee won't personally tell the story of Donald Trump's bid to subvert the 2020 election. Instead, they're letting Trump's own aides, confidants and family members do it for them. The panel made clear at its first public hearing Thursday that it would rather let Trump's own inner circle stitch together the details of the former president's actions to remain in power — and his inaction as a mob of supporters overran the Capitol. Videos showed Ivanka Trump, former Attorney General William Barr and Trump campaign advisers testify that the former president had really lost the 2020 election, as committee members mostly remained in the background.

Images of Bill Barr, Jason Miller and Ivanka Trump are shown.

FLORIDA COUPLE — "Jared and Ivanka, without the power or the masks," by The New York Times' Maggie Haberman: "They were stripped of their White House backdrop, their power and their masks. In brief video clips, Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump appeared in the first of a half-dozen public hearings held by the House committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol. First up was Ms. Trump. Speaking in a soft voice and seemingly aware that the video might be made public someday, she said she believed the words of the former attorney general, William P. Barr, who on Dec. 1, 2020, said that there was no widespread fraud impacting the election that had taken place three weeks earlier."

— 'It was carnage': Committee tees up case that Trump fueled Jan. 6 violence, by POLITICO's Kyle Cheney, Jordain Carney and Nicholas Wu

ON THE PANEL — "Stephanie Murphy: Her roots in Vietnam fuel a concern for democracy," by The New York Times' Emily Cochrane: "In spring 2002, Representative Stephanie Murphy, a Florida Democrat who was born in Vietnam, returned to the country for the first time as an adult with her father, as local elections were underway. She was shocked by the propaganda, as well as her relatives' frank acknowledgment that their votes would not make a difference."

HOMEGROWN — " Florida still has the most people facing January 6 insurrection charges. It's not even close," by USA Today Network-Florida's Zac Anderson and USA Todays Dinah Voyles Pulver: "Floridians played a prominent role in Jan. 6, with 91 residents charged with crimes related to the insurrection. That's well ahead of second place Texas, which has 72 residents facing charges, according to a database maintained by USA TODAY. Florida also has more than a third of the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers, the two most prominent far right extremist groups involved in storming the Capitol, charged for their actions on Jan. 6. Some of the most serious charges stemming from the insurrection have been leveled against these individuals."

CAMPAIGN MODE

WHAT'S IN YOUR WALLET? — DeSantis wants taxpayer help for campaign despite huge cash advantage, by POLITICO's Gary Fineout: The governor's move could widen the already sizable money gap that DeSantis has over his two main challengers. He has well over $100 million in the bank between both his main campaign account and his political committee – Friends of Ron DeSantis. The campaign will file its May fundraising report on Friday. By contrast, Crist, the Democratic frontrunner, has raised more than $10 million since jumping in the race last year. Fried, in a statement, slammed DeSantis for seeking public matching money. "This is the same guy who gave himself a pay raised during the pandemic and walks around handing out Biden bucks for a living, so of course he's taking the money," said Fried, referring to federal Covid-19 aid that has helped bankroll several budget proposals championed by the governor.

'I HAVE DELIVERED FOR NORTH FLORIDA' — Florida Rep. Lawson will challenge Republican in wake of DeSantis-backed redistricting , by POLITICO's Gary Fineout: Rep. Al Lawson, the Black Democrat whose current district was dismantled by the Florida Legislature at the urging of Gov. Ron DeSantis, said on Thursday that he will challenge GOP incumbent Rep. Neal Dunn. Lawson's decision to take on the Republican comes after Dunn's North Florida district was altered so that it now includes all of Tallahassee — Lawson's hometown — as well as all of Democratic-heavy Leon County.

Response — Dunn, in a statement, said he respects Lawson and "his lengthy service to the community." But he added "we have dramatically different policy views on how to solve America's problems" and faulted Democrats for inflation, rising gas prices and supply chain woes. "I look forward to the coming months where we will have an opportunity to talk about those policies, and I am confident the voters in this district are far more aligned to my views than Al Lawson's," he said.

CAMPAIGN ROUNDUP — Libre Initiative Action announced Thursday that the group is supporting Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar's reelection in Florida's 27th Congressional District and that the group plans to mobilize Latino voters and run digital ads to help her …

Florida Senate President Wilton Simpson on Thursday endorsed state Sen. Kelli Stargel in her bid for Florida's 15th Congressional District. Stargel is one of several Republicans running for the newly created seat including former Secretary of State Laurel Lee and Rep. Jackie Toledo. Simpson called Stargel a "conservative hero" for her work on anti-abortion legislation and other measures … Rep. John Rutherford endorsed Simpson's bid for agriculture commissioner ...

Jared Moskowitz has picked up additional endorsements in his bid for Florida's 23rd Congressional District including State Sen. Jason Pizzo and former State Sen. Perry Thurston … GatorPAC's Veterans Leadership Fund has endorsed Jerry Torres, the Republican challenging Rep. Kathy Castor in Florida's 14th Congressional District.

— "Inmate charged in Alachua County voter fraud investigation gets 3-year sentence ," by The Gainesville Sun's Alan Festo

— "Group boosting Wilton Simpson spends millions on ads while donors remain secret," by Orlando Sentinel's Annie Martin

— "DeSantis administration asks court to reject redistricting case," by News Service of Florida's Jim Saunders

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DATELINE D.C.

ON SECOND THOUGHT — "Rick Scott revises tax-increase proposal after facing criticism ," by Wall Street Journal's Alex Leary and Richard Rubin: "Florida Sen. Rick Scott is backing away from a proposal to require low-income Americans to pay at least some federal income tax, shifting his stance after facing criticism from fellow Republicans and handing an attack line to President Biden and Democrats. Mr. Scott, who leads Senate Republicans' campaign operation and is viewed as a potential 2024 presidential contender, on Thursday issued a revised version of his Rescue America plan, which now states that able-bodied Americans under 60 should work if they don't have young children or incapacitated dependents."

Gov. Rick Scott.

Getty Images

CHECK YOUR CALENDAR — "David Hogg offers apology to Marco Rubio," by The Hill's Olafimihan Oshin: "March For Our Lives co-founder and Parkland school shooting survivor David Hogg apologized to Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) on Thursday for mistakenly calling him out for a skipped meeting on gun reform legislation. 'Rubio staff said I can't meet with him or his staff because I 'trigger' him. I just wanna have a conversation,' Hogg wrote in a tweet around noon."

Reaction — "Hogg's initial tweet drew a quick response from Rubio's chief of staff, Michael Needham, who accused Hogg of intentionally lying about the meeting. 'No one said such a thing. As for the meeting, you must be confused as we had a 2p meeting scheduled with you,' Needham said in a tweet. 'However, since you are lying and clearly using this all for self-promotion, that meeting is now cancelled.'"

— " Mass shootings can be stopped only if we work together," by David Hogg for Fox News

'A MAJOR VICTORY' — "House OKs WRDA water bill that would help reduce Lake Okeechobee releases. Now what ?" by Treasure Coast Newspapers Max Chesnes: "The U.S. House Wednesday approved a water bill that includes several measures to help clean the polluted St. Lucie River and Indian River Lagoon, whose seagrass loss has sparked an unprecedented manatee die-off. The Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) includes a "comprehensive roadmap" to end Lake Okeechobee discharges, plus six other measures specific to Treasure Coast waterways. It passed with a 384-37 vote and awaits Senate approval."

— "Lawmakers demand answers for ER care at VA hospitals after death in Gainesville facility," by The Gainesville Sun's John Henderson

... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ...

'A LEGISLATIVE FIRE HOSE' — Florida Supreme Court hears gun challenge amid national debate over restrictions , by POLITICO's Matt Dixon: Amid the national debate over gun restrictions in the aftermath of tragic mass shootings, the Florida Supreme Court on Thursday heard arguments in a long-running legal challenge over a 2011 law that punishes local governments for passing strict gun laws. The legal fight has energized national groups to file briefs with the court, including the National Rifle Association on one side and the Giffords Law Center and League of Women Voters of Florida on the other.

Skeptical — [Supreme Court Justice Charles] Canady, who was appointed to the court in 2008 by then-Republican Gov. Charlie Crist, who is now running for governor as a Democrat, said the lawsuit was "mystifying" to him because Florida's constitution allows state government to preempt the regulation of certain areas from local government. "Our cases are very clear about the superiority of legislative power in this arena," he said.

PROMISES, PROMISES — "Florida permitless carry bill coming next legislative session, top Republican says," by Tampa Bay Times' Romy Ellenbogen and Kirby Wilson: "Incoming Florida House Speaker Paul Renner told a supporter his chamber would move a "constitutional carry" policy for gun owners in Florida in the next legislative session, according to a video surreptitiously recorded at a fundraising event last month and posted online. In the video, which was filmed at a House GOP fundraising event in Ocala on May 17, a man pulls Renner aside and asks if expanding the right for Floridians to carry guns without permits would be a legislative priority. 'I can tell you, we'll do it in the House,' Renner tells the man. 'We need to work on the Senate a little bit.'"

PROBLEM — "Hospitals unable to meet undocumented patient data demand from Gov. DeSantis," by The Gainesville Sun's Javon L. Harris: "Some Florida hospitals are struggling to meet a demand from the governor's office for information on undocumented patients they treat. In September 2021, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed an executive order requiring the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration to begin collecting data from hospitals on the amount of money spent on caring for undocumented immigrants. The problem? Most health care facilities don't question patients about their immigration status before treating those in need, including UF Health Shands and HCA Florida North Florida hospitals in Gainesville."

— "Florida's DeSantis signs bills to help veterans get jobs," by The Associated Press

— " DeSantis on Kavanaugh assassination attempt: These people have no 'relationship with God,'" by Florida Phoenix's Danielle J. Brown

PENINSULA AND BEYOND

RADIO, RADIO — "'They are not going to shut us up.' Cuban exiles vow to boycott if Radio Mambi is silenced," by Miami Herald's Sarah Moreno: "Promising boycotts, protests and strikes, Cuban exile leaders expressed their fear that two Miami stations, Radio Mambí and WQBA — which have traditionally advocated for Cuba's freedom — would be silenced after being bought by Latino Media Network, a media company run by 'social activists with a left-wing progressive political agenda.' TelevisaUnivision, Inc. reached an agreement to sell 18 stations, including Radio Mambí and WQBA, in different cities, to Latino Media Network (LMN), founded by Stephanie Valencia, who worked in the White House as a special assistant to the president and as director of public engagement under the Barack Obama administration, and Jess Morales Rocketto, who worked in the Obama and Hillary Clinton campaigns."

STILL SEARCHING — "'We have ruled out nothing': In Surfside condo collapse probe, findings still far away," by Miami Herald's Aaron Leibowitz: "A federal investigation into the Champlain Towers South building collapse likely won't conclude until 2024, about three years after the Surfside disaster in which investigators say they have 'ruled out nothing.' But the process could take even longer, said Judith Mitrani-Reiser, an engineer who grew up in Miami and is overseeing the investigation by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). 'To get this right requires a comprehensive approach and a commitment to investigating every failure hypothesis thoroughly,' Mitrani-Reiser said."

NEXT ROUND — "Palm Beach Post asks appeals court to release grand jury transcripts in Jeffrey Epstein sex case," by Palm Beach Post's Jane Musgrave: "Insisting a Palm Beach County judge got it wrong, The Palm Beach Post on Wednesday asked an appeals court to order the release of secret grand jury records that it claims would reveal why serial child molester Jeffrey Epstein wasn't harshly punished more than 15 years ago. To bolster their arguments, newspaper attorneys pointed to Louisville, Kentucky where a judge took the unusual step of ordering the release of grand jury records so distraught residents would understand why police officers weren't charged in Breonna Taylor's 2020 death."

— " High hotel prices may be softening Florida's tourist market boom," by Florida Politics Scott Powers

— " Desperate Florida renters are 'downsizing or downgrading' as price increases top the nation," by Palm Beach Post's Kimberly Miller

ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN

— "Seller of monkey to Chris Brown sentenced to probation," by Associated Press' Mike Schneider: "The owner of an exotic animal breeding business in Florida has been sentenced to five years' probation for illegally selling a capuchin monkey to singer Chris Brown. A federal indictment doesn't name Brown, only identifying the buyer as a celebrity in California, but key details match an Associated Press report that wildlife agents seized the singer's pet monkey after serving a search warrant on his Los Angeles home in early January 2018. Brown also was identified in court Wednesday at the sentencing hearing in Florida for the monkey breeder, Jimmy Hammonds."

BIRTHDAYS: Nick Iarossi of Capital City Consulting … Ashley Montenegro-Alexander , government relations specialist for CATALYST … (Saturday) Pasco County Tax Collector and former state senator Mike Fasano … Cesar Gonzalez of Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart's (R-Fla.) office … (Sunday) Sally Bradshaw, Tallahassee bookstore owner and former chief of staff and campaign adviser to Jeb Bush ... Alex Castellanos of Purple Strategies