News : POLITICO Florida Playbook: DeSantis nixed Wilton Simpson's priorities. Simpson says it's OK.

Tuesday, June 28, 2022

POLITICO Florida Playbook: DeSantis nixed Wilton Simpson's priorities. Simpson says it's OK.

Jun 28, 2022

Hello and welcome to Tuesday.

Whenever I Call You 'Friend' — Senate President Wilton Simpson insists everything is fine between him and Gov. Ron DeSantis. No, really, he says.

Angry Eyes — Simpson, who is running for agriculture commissioner this fall, was on a stage next to the Republican governor during a bill signing ceremony Monday held on the campus of Hillsborough Community College in Ybor City. The event, in which DeSantis left without taking a single question from the assembled press, marks yet another occasion where Simpson has appeared with DeSantis in recent weeks.

Footloose — These appearances seem a tad odd since they come after DeSantis used his line-item budget veto to eviscerate hundreds of millions of dollars in Simpson's budget priorities. And they also happened after the governor vetoed a water resources bill that had drawn the ire of environmental groups but was championed by Simpson. The governor scrapped the legislation after warning during the session that he had issues with it, leading to pushback at the time from Simpson.

Danger Zone — DeSantis has also begun to muscle his way into state Senate races as well, using his endorsement power to thin Republican primary contests and push out candidates backed by Senate leaders. Yet Simpson, a successful businessman, downplayed any suggestion of conflict. "There's nothing personal in those vetoes," Simpson said after the Ybor City event.

I'm Alright — Simpson noted that there was money already set aside for some of his budget priorities, namely a water storage area north of Lake Okeechobee and that he was just trying to get more this year while legislators had cash. Simpson, who is no longer in charge of Senate campaigns, also sidestepped questions about DeSantis' maneuvers to bolster his sway in the Senate. He said, "I suspect there were good meetings" between the governor's camp and that of incoming Senate President Kathleen Passidomo.

Don't Fight It — One of those moves included the abrupt decision by state Sen. Ray Rodrigues to leave the state Senate to take what is expected to be a job in state government. DeSantis quickly threw his support behind the Lee County GOP Chairman Jonathan Martin as a replacement. Simpson — who used Senate leadership money in 2020 to help Rodrigues win the Republican primary — contended that his departure was not "coordinated with the governor or anybody else." And Simpson insisted that Rodrigues made a decision that was "very good for him and his family." OK, then.

This Is It — DeSantis used his endorsement power to back Simpson — a move that helped eliminate a potentially bitter primary and a big favor that aided Simpson's political future. But it only came after DeSantis demurred a couple of times to publicly announce his support for Simpson, and after the Legislature bowed to the governor's wishes on a new congressional redistricting map and rapidly passed a bill to strip Disney of its special status after the fallout over the "parental rights in education" law that was dubbed "don't say gay" by its critics. So there's nothing going on. Right?

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

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... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ...

ON THE CLOCK — Judge will soon decide whether to block Florida's 15-week abortion ban, by POLITICO's Arek Sarkissian: The contentious debate over reproductive rights in America was on full display in a Tallahassee courtroom on Monday, where experts on both sides of the fight testified in a case challenging Florida's recently passed 15 week ban on abortions. …The groups argue Florida's law banning abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy without exceptions for rape or incest violates the right to privacy that's enshrined in the state's constitution.

For the plaintiffs — Monday's hearing included testimony from Shelly Hsiao-Ying Tien, a Jacksonville-based doctor who is one of the plaintiffs challenging the law. Tien said most people who have an abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy are struggling economically, living in poverty, facing serious medical complications or they are involved in a violent intimate relationship. "They tend to have the most challenging, compelling life circumstances," Tien said.

Rebuttal — Lawyers for the state, however, have said the privacy right was not meant to govern abortion laws. Maureen Condic, a neurobiologist and embryology professor at the University of Utah, testified on behalf of the state that life begins the moment a sperm fertilizes the egg. "That's based on research," Condic said. "That's what the research has shown me."

FEDERAL JUDGE SIDES WITH STATE — Florida's anti-woke school, workplace rules can move forward — with a catch, by POLITICO's Andrew Atterbury: A federal judge on Monday ruled that Florida can enforce new legislation pushed by Gov. Ron DeSantis to regulate how lessons on race can be led in K-12 classrooms and the workplace — but a key piece of the challenge affecting colleges and universities is still yet to be decided. The ruling from Chief U.S. District Judge Mark Walker signals a partial early win for DeSantis, who introduced the "Stop WOKE Act" as part of Florida's conservative education agenda targeting possible ties to critical race theory in the state school system and "woke" corporate trainings at companies surrounding "white privilege."

DELVING DEEPER — "Torn from the Andrew Gillum indictment: Five key takeaways from the federal corruption case," by Tallahassee Democrat's Jeff Burlew: "Andrew Gillum allegedly turned his 2018 bid for Florida governor into his own personal ATM, shaking down big donors and undercover FBI agents for campaign contributions and using the money to keep himself financially afloat. That's the portrait a federal grand jury painted of the former Tallahassee mayor in its 21-count indictment of Gillum and his co-defendant, Sharon Lettman-Hicks, that was unsealed Wednesday around the time of their arrests. Both Gillum and Lettman-Hicks pleaded not guilty during their first appearance in federal court and issued statements proclaiming their innocence and vowing to fight the allegations."

Guessing game — "The 26-page indictment offered up equal servings of eye-opening revelations and tantalizing mysteries from the FBI's secretive investigation. Aside from Gillum and Lettman-Hicks, none of the people or organizations involved are identified by name, though some — like one-time Gillum pal Adam Corey — are apparent from government descriptions."

JULY 1 COMETH — "Florida's 149 new laws cover everything from abortion restrictions to strawberries," by News Service of Florida's Jim Turner: "Nearly 150 laws that Florida legislators passed this year are set to hit the books Friday. The new laws range from a record $109.9 billion budget to naming a state dessert. Some of the measures face legal challenges, such as a bill that would prevent abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy and a bill that would restrict how race-related concepts are taught in schools and workplace training."

— " Miya's Law, named for slain Orlando college student signed by DeSantis," by Orlando Sentinel's Monivette Cordeiro

— "Volunteering is voluntary for high school students under new Bright Futures requirements ," by Florida Politics' Christine Jordan Sexton

CAMPAIGN MODE

TADDEO SURGES INTO LEAD — A new poll conducted by the campaign of state Sen. Annette Taddeo and shared with Florida Playbook shows that Taddeo has a commanding lead in the Democratic primary for Florida's 27th Congressional District. The winner of the Aug. 23 primary will take on incumbent Republican Rep. María Elvira Salazar.

By the numbers — The new poll from SEA Polling and Strategic Design shows that Taddeo — who has a substantial name advantage — has a 36-point edge over Miami City Commissioner Ken Russell in the primary: Taddeo gets 51 percent to Russell's 15 percent with 33 percent undecided. The poll, conducted June 22 through June 25 in both English and Spanish, has a margin of error of plus/minus 4.9 percent.

With a little help — Taddeo's margin jumps up to 71 percent to 19 percent after those surveyed were read positive biographical statements about both candidates. "This poll confirms what we already knew, that we're the best campaign to build the coalition of voters necessary to flip this district in November," said Nick Merlino, who is Taddeo's campaign manager.

— " Florida Democrats sue to kick Jerry Torres off CD 14 ballot," by Florida Politics' Jacob Ogles

Florida Sen. Annette Taddeo speaks into a microphone in her hand during a legislative session.

Florida Sen. Annette Taddeo (D-Miami) dropped out of the governor's race Monday. | Wilfredo Lee/AP Photo

THE CHALLENGER — "DeSantis builds national profile out of Trump's view," by The Hill's Max Greenwood: "Multiple Republican strategists and operatives described DeSantis's strategy as both brash and calculated, noting that he appears intent on cultivating his reputation among conservatives nationally while being careful to avoid any move that could put him directly in former President Trump's crosshairs. 'It's like everything else in Republican politics in this country. It all comes down to how you deal with Trump,' Keith Naughton, a veteran Republican strategist, said. 'If he was out campaigning, then Trump has more of a license to attack him and to really knock him down directly.'"

NEWSOM V. DESANTIS IN 24? — "Gavin Newsom further stirs 2024 speculation with Florida ad buy," by SFGate's Alec Regimbal: "California Gov. Gavin Newsom raised more questions about a potential presidential run late Monday when his re-election campaign purchased roughly $105,000 worth of cable TV ads that will run on Fox News in Florida starting July 4. The actual content of the ads isn't clear quite yet — Nathan Click, a spokesperson for Newsom's re-election campaign, said only, 'stay tuned,' when asked — but the act of purchasing ads in a state across the country naturally led to further speculation that Newsom may run for higher office in the near future, despite repeatedly saying that his focus remains on California."

Coming to a television near you — AdImpact told Florida Playbook that Newsom's television ads are scheduled to run in Ft. Myers, Gainesville, Jacksonville, Miami, Mobile (which includes Pensacola markets), Orlando, Panama City, Tallahassee, Tampa and West Palm Beach.

CAMPAIGN ROUNDUP — Rep. Charlie Crist 's for governor saw a jolt in online fundraising after the Supreme Court struck down Roe vs. Wade on Friday, according to Crist's campaign. The Democrat raised nearly $100,000 over the weekend with $40,000 coming in on the day the ruling came out. The donations on Friday averaged just over $32. … Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried bested Crist in a straw poll conducted Monday by the North Brevard Democratic Club. Fried won 67 percent to Crist's 33 percent in the straw poll in which more than 70 members took part. … Sen. Marco Rubio on Monday endorsed state Sen. Aaron Bean for Florida's 4th Congressional District. Bean is one of three Republicans running in the race. … Her Bold Move, a political committee that backs women who support abortion rights, endorsed Hava Holzhauer in Florida's 23rd Congressional District. Holzhauer is one of six Democrats running in the primary.

Val Demings Orlando Police Chief

Orlando Police Chief Val Demings and her husband Jerry Demings, who will be sworn in as Orange County Sheriff, greet a group of children that wanted to meet them while they were having lunch together in December 2008. | John Raoux/AP Photo

'I AM THE POLICE' — "Demings pushes against Rubio's 'defund the police' allegations," by Orlando Sentinel's Steven Lemongello: "U.S. Rep. Val Demings' background as a police officer and Orlando police chief has been considered one of her biggest political strengths in her matchup with Sen. Marco Rubio. But the Rubio campaign is directly targeting it, touting the endorsements of the two largest police unions in Florida and repeatedly attacking Demings, a Democrat, for not speaking out against the "defund the police" movement in 2020."

— " Scotty Moore tossed from CD 9 ballot for filing wrong form," by Florida Politics' Scott Powers

— "Kelli Stargel mailer suggests she has Ron DeSantis' endorsement. She doesn't ," by Florida Politics' Peter Schorsch

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THE GUNSHINE STATE

NEW ARGUMENTS — "Florida, NRA point to Supreme Court ruling as they fight over 2018 gun law," by News Service of Florida's Dara Kam: "As they battle over a 2018 Florida law that raised the minimum age from 18 to 21 to buy rifles and other long guns, attorneys for the state and the National Rifle Association are trying to use a new U.S. Supreme Court ruling to bolster their arguments. The Supreme Court on Thursday struck down a New York law that placed strict limits on carrying concealed weapons in public…The ruling prompted Attorney General Ashley Moody's office and the NRA to quickly make filings at the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, where the gun rights group is challenging the constitutionality of the 2018 Florida law."

PENINSULA AND BEYOND

NO GO — "Supreme Court turns down South Florida church bid for hearing on 'hate group' designation ," by South Florida Sun-Sentinel's Rafael Olmeda: "The U.S. Supreme Court turned down a South Florida church that says its designation as a "hate group" is preventing it from collecting donations from online shoppers, rejecting a chance to make it easier to sue organizations for libel and defamation. The Southern Poverty Law Center has designated Fort Lauderdale's Coral Ridge Ministries a "hate group" since at least 2010 for its condemnation of homosexuality. In 2017, the church applied to be a part of the Amazon Smile program, which allows online shoppers to direct a portion of their spending to approved charities."

— "Miami Loop? City studying Elon Musk type ideas for underground tunnel system," by Miami Herald's Joey Flechas

— " FBI sworn statement casts doubt on Orlando Basquiat exhibit's origin story," by Orlando Sentinel's Skyler Swisher

— "Coast Guard returns 106 migrants to Cuba after most were stopped off the Florida Keys ," by Miami Herald's Omar Rodríguez Ortiz

— "'We're coming for U': Winter Haven pregnancy center vandalized with graffiti," by The Ledger's Gary White

ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN

— "Monkeypox in Broward: How the rise in cases is unfolding," by South Florida Sun-Sentinel's Cindy Krischer Goodman: "In Broward County, an intense push is on to curb the local outbreak of monkeypox before it swells to levels seen in other pockets of the country. As of Monday, Broward County had 15 identified cases and local doctors say they have more cases waiting to be confirmed. Some patients who were swabbed have had multiple recent intimate encounters and those persons could be spreading the virus, too."

BIRTHDAYS: State Senate President Wilton Simpson … Brendan Farrington with The Associated Press

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