News : POLITICO Florida Playbook: Florida's election police gets its chief

Thursday, July 7, 2022

POLITICO Florida Playbook: Florida's election police gets its chief

Jul 07, 2022

Hello and welcome to Thursday.

Open for business — It still remains unclear how much work — and how many investigations of voter fraud and other election law violations — the state's newly created Office of Election Crimes and Security will actually undertake during this year's midterm elections.

Coming soon — After all, the office touted by Gov. Ron DeSantis didn't get signed into law until late April and its funding only officially kicked in a week ago.

Ask Pete — But DeSantis — and Secretary of State Cord Byrd — have found a familiar face to take over the politically sensitive job of running the office: Pete Antonacci. Antonacci has a long resume that has included everything from Palm Beach state attorney to running the South Florida water management district.

Long history — He was also appointed by then-Gov. Rick Scott to run the Broward elections office in the aftermath of the tumultuous 2018 recount. (It was a messy battle where Scott's attempt to remove Supervisor Brenda Snipes early got challenged in a court, but in the end DeSantis agreed to keep Antonacci in the job.) Let's not forget either that Antonacci played a key role in the ouster of the director of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement in 2015 at the behest of Scott in a move that appeared legally questionable.

Also on the resume — Antonacci is a skilled lawyer and former general counsel for Scott who once worked for Democratic Attorney General Bob Butterworth and despite his lack of elections experience, the 2020 election went relatively smooth in Broward County.

Some praise — Mitch Ceasar, the former head of the Democratic Party in Broward, told the South Florida Sun-Sentinel that Antonacci is a "straight shooter." Mark Earley, the Leon County elections supervisor who is a Democrat, gave what can be called a qualified endorsement. Earley in a statement said that "I trust he will serve the people of Florida with an even hand to ensure the continued fairness and sanctity of our elections process."

Additional response — Other Democrats, such as Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, are more suspicious of Antonacci's hiring, calling it absurd and labeling him a "Federalist Society" darling. Democrats remain deeply distrustful of the need for the office itself, given the lack of widespread instances of fraud. DeSantis championed its creation as he was dealing with some Republican factions in the state who were contending that the 2020 election in Florida needed to be subjected to a full-blown audit. DeSantis sidestepped their requests and his administration has defended the state's results — in which former President Donald Trump won — as accurate.

Questions — While the governor's motives for this office have been subject to scrutiny, it is clear that there remains at times a disconnect over whose job within the government it is to investigate election law violations. That includes accusations of voter fraud, shady practices in citizen initiative campaigns, switching party affiliation of unsuspecting voters and "ghost" candidates. Despite assertions the office's role is limited, the new law actually gives it broad discretion. But what is also essential is for the new office to be run in a transparent fashion, not as some black box ministry whose work is totally hidden from the public most of the time. That will be Antonacci's biggest challenge.

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

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CAMPAIGN MODE

INCLUDING FLORIDA — Gun safety group announces $10M for battleground state races, by POLITICO's Marianne LeVine: A prominent gun safety advocacy group is ready to spend big to boost Democrats who last month supported Congress' most significant gun policy package in nearly 30 years — and attack Republicans who opposed it. The $10 million investment by Giffords PAC, first disclosed to POLITICO, will go toward local, state and federal elections in Texas and Florida, which have both seen tragic mass shootings, as well as Georgia, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Colorado, all key battlegrounds that will determine whether Democrats keep their majority.

MEANWHILE — "Congressional candidate James Judge is raffling off AR-15-style rifles tied to fundraising," by Tampa Bay Times' Charlie Frago: "Keeping himself in the news this week, [James] Judge, the owner of a public relations firm, announced Wednesday that he's raffling off four AR-15-style semi-automatic rifles. The guns are similar to the one law enforcement says was used two days ago in the latest mass shooting outside of Chicago July 4th that killed seven people."

A NEW ASSIGNMENT — DeSantis taps familiar GOP 'Mr. Fix-It' to run new election police, by POLITICO's Gary Fineout: Gov. Rick Scott tapped Pete Antonacci, who had been Scott's general counsel at one point, to run the Broward County elections office shortly after the fallout of the close 2018 election where Scott himself made vague allegations of voter fraud that were never substantiated. "I am confident he will lead the Office of Election Crimes and Security with integrity and ensure that Florida's elections are the most secure in the nation," said DeSantis in a statement about Antonacci's appointment.

Peter Antonacci talks with the news media.

Peter Antonacci, Broward County Supervisor of Elections, talks with the news media as vote-by-mail ballots are loaded into a truck for transport to a local U.S. Postal Service office at the Broward Supervisor of Elections Office, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2020, in Lauderhill, Fla. | Lynne Sladky/AP Photo

FIRST IN PLAYBOOK — The group Florida Rising is out with an extensive list of endorsements ahead of the 2022 midterm elections. The organization, which coordinates "multi-racial movements to win elections, change laws" is prioritizing housing, jobs, reproductive rights, criminal justice reforms and climate change as its main issues. Florida Rising on Thursday is endorsing 66 candidates running in 12 counties and plans to do paid ads, door-to-door canvassing and events highlighting the candidates they are supporting. The list includes races up and down the ballot from congressional contests to local races such as Tallahassee mayor where they endorsed Kristin Dozier over incumbent John Dailey.

The list — Many candidates the group backed do not have primaries. But Florida Rising is throwing its support to some Democrats that do: Rep. Frederica Wilson, state Sen. Shevrin Jones and state Reps. Daryl Campbell, Marie Woodson, Angie Nixon, Travaris McCurdy, and Daisy Morales, as well as state Rep. Tracie Davis in the primary for state Senate District 5, state Rep. Kamia Brown for state Senate District 15 and Ashley Gantt, who is challenging incumbent state Rep. James Bush.

CAMPAIGN ROUNDUP — State Sen. Lauren Book, who is engaged in a tough primary battle, was endorsed Wednesday by the Florida Education Association , the state teachers union as well as the Broward Teachers Union … Senate President Wilton Simpson was endorsed by the Fraternal Order of Police for agriculture commissioner … Pinellas County Commissioner Kathleen Peters endorsed Kevin Hayslett, one of several Republican candidates running in Florida's 13th Congressional District … Florida Realtors PAC endorsed Attorney General Ashley Moody for reelection … Jared Moskowitz, who is running in Florida's 23rd Congressional District, picked up endorsements from the Sierra Club and Brady PAC.

— "Charlie Crist: Confluence of current events 'nightmare' for Republicans, good for Democrats," by Florida Politics' Anne Geggis

... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ...

FALLOUT — Jack Latvala could face public censure as part of settlement with ethics officials, by POLITICO's Matt Dixon: Disgraced former Republican Florida Sen. Jack Latvala has admitted to state ethics officials he used "poor judgment" by having a 20-year consensual relationship with a female lobbyist. The admission is part of a proposed settlement Latvala reached with Elizabeth Miller, advocate for the Florida Commission on Ethics, which has been reviewing the issue since a complaint was filed against Latvala in December 2017, days before he resigned from the Florida Senate after POLITICO reported multiple women accusing him of groping and sexual harassment. The proposed settlement, first reported by the News Service of Florida, was made public on Wednesday.

Next steps — The proposed settlement must still be approved by the full ethics commission. If it is, it will be sent to the full Florida Senate for potential further action, which could include public censure and reprimand. Latvala faced three separate allegations, but under the proposed settlement, Latvala only admits to allegations that he used "his position as a Senator … to engage in sexually or romantic comments, behavior and/or female staff or a lobbyist."

STRAIGHT TO THE TOP — Florida urges Supreme Court to take up the 15-week abortion ban challenge, by POLITICO's Arek Sarkissian: Lawyers for Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody have asked an appeals court to send a case challenging the state's new 15-week abortion ban directly to the state Supreme Court, whose conservative majority could ultimately uphold the law. Moody's office filed a motion late Tuesday with the Florida 1st District Court of Appeal asking for immediate certification to the highest court in the state. The request came after a state circuit court judge issued a temporary hold on the 15-week ban last week, one day before it was supposed to take effect.

TRANSITIONS — Evan Berryhill is now a vice president for Firehouse Strategies working on behalf of the firm's Florida team. Prior to joining Firehouse, Berryhill served as deputy director of communications for Governor Ron DeSantis' gubernatorial campaign … Susan Whitmire is now chief information officer for the Florida Gaming Control Commission. She most recently was chief of state IT strategy management for the Florida Department of Management Services.

— "DeSantis stays quiet on abortion's future in Florida as Republicans strategize," by Tampa Bay Times' Emily L. Mahoney

— "GOP senator slams OIR decision on Citizens' rates: 'They are under political pressure,'" by Florida Politics' Gray Rohrer

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DATELINE D.C.

SKEPTICAL — Appeals court panel casts doubt on DACA legality, by POLITICO's Mohar Chatterjee: A panel of federal judges in New Orleans on Wednesday appeared unconvinced by the Justice Department's arguments defending the legality of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, with the fate of nearly 600,000 so-called Dreamers hanging in the balance. The three-judge panel is hearing appeals by the Biden administration, liberal states and individual DACA recipients to U.S. District Court Judge Andrew Hanen's decision a year ago that held DACA to be unlawful. Hanen's 2021 ruling ordered the Department of Homeland Security to no longer approve new applicants to the program, which grants work permits and protection from deportation to young undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children.

TRUMPLANDIA AND THE SWAMP

KEEPING COUNT — Where Jan. 6 prosecutions stand, 18 months after the attack, by POLITICO's Kyle Cheney and Josh Gerstein: Eighteen months since a pro-Trump mob ransacked the Capitol and disrupted the peaceful transition of presidential power, prosecutors are closing in on another milestone: 900 arrests. According to the latest Justice Department figures, more than 855 members of that crowd are facing charges that range from trespassing on restricted grounds to seditious conspiracy. Prosecutors estimate that more than 2,000 people actually entered the Capitol unlawfully that day, which means hundreds more arrests are likely in the months to come.

JOIN THE TEAM — " Trump cracks down on deceptive fundraising by others using his name," by Washington Post's Michael Scherer and Josh Dawsey: "Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich has spent months groundlessly telling Republicans that they can be on 'Trump's Team' or 'Endorse Trump for President in 2024' by giving to his U.S. Senate campaign. 'Are you turning your back on Pres. Trump?' one Brnovich fundraising ad asked last year. 'Renew your 2022 membership before it is too late.' Such appeals pushed the actual team of advisers around Trump to a breaking point in June, after Trump endorsed Brnovich's rival, Blake Masters, for the Senate seat in Arizona. In a cease-and-desist letter obtained by The Washington Post, an attorney for Save America, Trump's political action committee, threatened legal action if Brnovich did not stop using Trump's image and name in misleading ways."

— "'Unprecedented' Trump documentary to debut on Sunday ahead of Jan. 6 committee's next hearing," by New York Daily News Dave Goldiner

THE GUNSHINE STATE

PROLOGUE — "Expert witness reveals disturbing details of Parkland's gunman's online history," by South Florida Sun-Sentinel's Rafael Olmeda: "An analysis of social media posts, Internet searches and other computer records offers some indication of what the Parkland gunman was thinking in the months leading up to the deadly shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in 2018. It's the kind of information defense lawyers believe jurors should not be allowed to hear, not because it isn't true, but because it is so disturbing and inflammatory that it promises to overwhelm the central question of the case — whether confessed killer Nikolas Cruz deserves death or life in prison for the crimes he committed."

...HURRICANE HOLE...

JIMMY PATRONIS CALL YOUR OFFICE — "When can you claim up to $10,000 for storm-hardening home upgrades? Not before peak of hurricane season," by South Florida Sun-Sentinel's Ron Hurtibise: "Homeowners planning to apply for up to $10,000 in state funding for hurricane-resistant home improvements will likely have to wait until the current hurricane season ends. That's the bad news. The good news is that impact-resistant windows and new roofs will be eligible for funding for applications approved before the program's $115 million budget runs out."

We'll let you know when — "No launch date has been set yet for homeowners to submit applications to the Florida Department of Financial Services, which will administer the program. Asked whether the department envisioned opening the process before summer ends, before the end of the year, or next year, spokeswoman Davin Galetta replied, 'The Department expects the program to be launched before the end of the year.'

PENINSULA AND BEYOND

'SUPPLY IS LIMITED' — "As monkeypox cases rise in Florida, the state still hasn't received more vaccines ," by South Florida Sun-Sentinel's Cindy Krischer Goodman: "As the number of monkeypox cases in South Florida climbs amid an ongoing global outbreak, the federal government is releasing vaccine doses from its stockpile to people who are most at risk. But while Florida has the third-highest number of cases in the country, it did not receive doses distributed to states by U.S. Health and Human Services on July 1. Twenty-one states or cities received a total of 31,530 doses with the largest number going to California, the state with the most cases (111)."

BACK TO THE FUTURE — "In Puerto Rico, once an abortion haven for American women, history could repeat itself," by Miami Herald's Syra Ortiz-Blanes: "In 1963, the New York Daily News ran stories about an underground, word-of-mouth network of doctors in Puerto Rico who performed abortions on American women, from 'suburban society matrons' to 'unmarried college girls,' who traveled to the island to end pregnancies. 'The sun-baked island in the Caribbean has become the abortion capital of the hemisphere,' the series claimed. Sixty years later, following the U.S. Supreme Court reversal of a constitutional right to abortion, Puerto Rico could again become a destination for women from states where the procedure is restricted or banned, according to experts who favor abortion on the island."

— "Grand jury report could rock School Board elections," by South Florida Sun-Sentinel's Scott Travis

— " How much cryptocurrency does Miami Mayor Francis Suarez have? Here's a first glimpse," by Miami Herald's Joey Flechas

— " Ethics Commission attorneys recommend Doug Underhill be removed from office," by Pensacola News Journal's Jim Little

— "Rural Florida county shocked by fentanyl deaths over holiday ," by The Associated Press' Brendan Farrington

— "Noise-detecting cameras proposed for Miami Beach to target loud car music and exhausts," by Miami Herald's Martin Vassolo

ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN

— "Death threat to Minn. Rep. Ihan Omar gets Sarasota man probation, $7k fine," by Tampa Bay Times' Dan Sullivan : "A Sarasota man who one night three years ago got drunk and sent a disparaging email threatening to kill U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar and three other lawmakers was sentenced Wednesday to three years of probation. U.S. District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle also ordered David George Hannon to pay a $7,000 fine, undergo mental health and substance abuse treatment, and to have no contact with the congresswoman. Although federal sentencing guidelines suggested a low-end sentence of 10 months of incarceration, the judge noted a probation officer recommended no prison time."

BIRTHDAYS: State Sen. Janet Cruz … State Rep. Stan McClain

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