News: POLITICO Florida Playbook: Fried campaign promises Democrats will know Crist's record

Monday, July 11, 2022

POLITICO Florida Playbook: Fried campaign promises Democrats will know Crist's record

Jul 11, 2022

Hello and welcome to Monday.

Tick, tick — The Democratic primary election for governor is rapidly approaching, and it's getting to be make-or-break time for Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried.

Record keeping — And Fried and her campaign have decided that the path to potential victory is all about making the race about Rep. Charlie Crist's past. And that means hitting Crist — who once was a Republican — on abortion rights.

Messaging — As one person close to the campaign put it: "Every Democratic primary voter will know Charlie is pro-life. 1,000 percent."

Hitting the air — That would mean that Fried — who has trailed in fundraising for some time — will finally have to commit money to television ads. And those ads will have to hit soon. Domestic mail-in ballots for the primary will be heading out the door in the next few days. Early voting starts in about a month.

How we got here — Crist has given Fried an opening on abortion with his convoluted answers on the topic, including his decison to stick to a "pro-life" label and saying he had no "regrets" for appointing conservatives to the Florida Supreme Court who may very soon reverse past rulings that said the state constitution protected abortion rights.

Point — Fried says "he can't be trusted. He never fought for a woman's right to choose."

Counterpoint — Crist and his campaign have fought back against this narrative. Crist has gotten high marks from abortion rights groups for his record in Congress and he has said he would sign an executive order seeking to help preserve those rights if he were elected governor. And as governor, he vetoed a 2010 bill mandating ultrasounds. Rep. Anna Eskamani, a Crist backer who once worked for Planned Parenthood, said "I get it. It's primary season. No candidate is perfect" but Eskamani added "it's not honest" for Fried to level these attacks at Crist.

Here we go — It remains to be seen if this will become the defining factor in the looming Democratic primary. Fried's campaign, insisting the race is closer than it looks, appears determined to test it.

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

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CAMPAIGN MODE

'NO CANDIDATE IS PERFECT' — Democrats battle fellow Democrats over abortion in key primaries, by POLITICO's Gary Fineout and Lisa Kashinsky: Democrats are turning on Democrats over abortion. Democrats running for governor in several states have started publicly chiding their primary opponents for not doing enough to ensure abortion rights in the aftermath of the Supreme Court's recent decision to overturn the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade decision.

Nikki Fried attends a protest.

Florida Agricultural Commissioner Nikki Fried joins with people to protest the Supreme Court's decision in the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health case on June 24, 2022, in Miami. | Joe Raedle/Getty Images

OVERVIEW — "In race to face DeSantis, it's Ms. 'Something New' versus Mr. Seventh Time Around," by HuffPost's S.V. Date: "It was, as it turns out, a metaphor for the race itself: No matter where Nikki Fried goes in Florida, Charlie Crist has already been there. And as the race to win the opportunity to challenge an extremely well-funded incumbent governor enters its final month, Fried may be learning what so many candidates running in the third-largest state with 10 distinct media markets have already learned: That having been there before matters. A lot. 'He's run so many times, he's built so many relationships,' said David Geller, president of the Miami Beach Democratic Club, as his members settled in for their monthly meeting at a Collins Avenue hotel. 'Everyone has a Charlie story."

THE D WORD — "Congress candidate bashes fellow Democrat Moskowitz over ties to DeSantis, former employer's donation to pro-Trump super PAC," by South Florida Sun-Sentinel's Anthony Man: "Congressional candidate Ben Sorensen, seeking to gain attention and to damage Democratic primary opponent Jared Moskowitz, is repeatedly attacking Moskowitz by linking him to Gov. Ron DeSantis. A major theme of Sorensen's campaign is the suggestion that Moskowitz can't be trusted to fight for Democratic values, and is sympathetic to DeSantis' policies and former President Donald Trump's MAGA movement."

'BLURRING THE LINES' — " Republicans blast Cherfilus-McCormick for spending tax money on TV ads," by South Florida Sun-Sentinel's Anthony Man: "The commercials are legal, but Inside Elections, a nonpartisan political analysis news service in Washington, D.C., raised questions about them. 'Even though it's rare, members of Congress are allowed to use official funds for TV ads, as long as they cover official business and steer clear of campaign content. But Cherfilus-McCormick, a new representative from Florida's 20th District, appears to be blurring those lines,' Inside Elections said. Spending on the commercials is a 'significant gray area,' Inside Elections said. The Republican National Committee amplified the report in an email blast on Friday. 'Not only are Florida Democrats incompetent, they're also corrupt,' Julia Friedland, the RNC's Florida communications director, said in a statement."

BY THE NUMBERS — Here's the breakdown of weekly fundraising totals in the governor's race: DeSantis raised $3.4 million during the period between June 25 and July 1, while Crist brought in nearly $458,000 and Fried raised nearly $195,000. The totals including money raised for campaign accounts and for political committees controlled by the candidates.

Following the money — The largest donation DeSantis received this past week was a $1 million check from the Republican Governors Association which brings the RGA's total now to $15.35 million for the cycle. The RGA, as previously noted by Sarasota Herald-Tribune's Zac Anderson, has been taking in checks from notable Florida donors such as the Seminole Tribe of Florida. DeSantis' political committee also received $500,000 from an investment firm tied to Pete Snyder, who was a candidate for Virginia governor in 2021.

June totals — If you put the three June fundraising reports together (which include the first day of July) the totals look like this: DeSantis brought in $8.32 million, compared to nearly $1.25 million for Crist and nearly $417,000 for Fried.

Add it up — DeSantis has $117.2 million in unspent campaign cash, according to state reports (which don't reflect any future planned expenditures) while Crist has $6.83 million and Fried has nearly $3.9 million.

CAMPAIGN ROUNDUP — Former Miami-Dade Mayor Alex Penelas is endorsing Fried in the race for governor. Penelas in a statement said that "this moment in our history calls for a fighter, and that's Nikki" and that "she has proved time and again she has what it takes to unite us, and heal the divisions sowed by our current governor."

— "'Little ol' me doing my job': Ron DeSantis stays coy as 2024 talk continues ," by Florida Politics' A.G. Gancarski

— "South Florida campaign consultant pleads guilty to COVID relief fraud," by South Florida Sun-Sentinel's Angie DiMichele

— "'Why elections matter': Joe Biden ad draws contrast with 'Ultra-MAGA' Rick Scott," by Florida Politics' A.G. Gancarski

TRUMPLANDIA AND THE SWAMP

COMING ATTRACTIONS — Cipollone provided a 'lot of relevant information,' Jan. 6 committee member Murphy says, by POLITICO's Connor O'Brien and Nicholas Wu: Former White House counsel Pat Cipollone's meeting with the select committee investigating the Jan. 6 insurrection yielded "relevant information" for the panel, though he claimed privilege in some areas, one committee member said in an interview airing Sunday.

'Another perspective' — "He claimed privilege on conversations that related to the advice he provided directly to the president or conversations with the president," Rep. Stephanie Murphy (D-Fla.) said in an interview with "Meet the Press." "But I think we still got a lot of relevant information from him, and it provides us another perspective on what was happening in the White House in those weeks running up to January 6th that were so critically important."

FLORIDA MAN — DOJ details evidence that Oath Keeper brought explosives to D.C. area, by POLITICO's Kyle Cheney: Federal prosecutors indicated Friday they intend to present evidence that a member of the Oath Keepers likely carried grenades in an RV that he drove to the Washington, D.C., area ahead of the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol. In court papers previewing evidence to be presented in the upcoming seditious conspiracy trial of Oath Keepers leaders, the Justice Department said it believes Jeremy Brown, a group member from Florida, likely traveled to Northern Virginia with grenades that were found by investigators in a subsequent search of his vehicle. The basis for that evidence, prosecutors said, is a statement from fellow Florida member Kelly Meggs to Caleb Berry — an Oath Keeper who pleaded guilty to his involvement in the alleged conspiracy — that Brown had brought explosives with him in his RV.

Violent rioters try to break through a police barrier at the Capitol in Washington on Jan. 6, 2021.

Violent rioters try to break through a police barrier at the Capitol in Washington on Jan. 6, 2021. | Julio Cortez, File/AP Photo

PAST IS PROLOGUE — "How a crowded field could help Trump in 2024 campaign," by The Associated Press' Jill Colvin: "With a growing list of candidates gearing up to run, even a Trump diminished by two impeachments and mounting legal vulnerabilities could hold a commanding position in a fractured, multi-candidate primary. 'I fear it could end up the same way as 2016, which basically was everyone thought everyone else should get out,' said Republican strategist Mike DuHaime, who advised former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie's campaign that year."

— " Trump touts beating DeSantis in 2024 polls amid 'witch hunt' hearings," by Newsweek's Nick Mordowanec

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DATELINE D.C.

SCOTT VISIT TRIGGERS INCIDENT — "Taiwan slams 'provocative' China for sending fighters across Taiwan Strait ," by Reuters Yimou Lee and Martin Quin Pollard: "Chinese fighter jets crossed the median line of the sensitive Taiwan Strait on Friday in what the island's government slammed as a provocation, as a senior U.S. senator visited Taipei for a meeting with President Tsai Ing-wen that China condemned. China claims democratically-ruled Taiwan as its own territory and has ramped up military and political pressure to try and force the island to accept Chinese rule."

Pushing back — " Chinese spokesman Wu [Qian] said [Sen. Rick] Scott's visit to Taiwan had seriously undermined Sino-U.S. relations and escalated tensions in the Taiwan Strait. 'The Chinese People's Liberation Army is ready for war at all times, and will take all necessary measures to resolutely thwart the interference of external forces and the secessionist attempts of "Taiwan independence".' After meeting with President Tsai in Taipei on Friday, Scott told reporters he believes that 'the world has changed' following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. 'We all have to put ourselves in a position that we can make sure we defend the freedom we all believe in,' he said."

... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ...

HMM — DeSantis rails against wokeness. But Florida has paid $700K to a firm that teaches racial inclusivity , by POLITICO's Andrew Atterbury and Matt Dixon: Gov. Ron DeSantis has built a national reputation by condemning the use of race and gender in classrooms and workplace training — yet his state pays hundreds of thousands of dollars to a consulting firm that embraces and teaches racial inclusivity. Florida currently contracts with Tallahassee-based MGT Consulting, a firm whose chairman and CEO is former Republican state Rep. Trey Traviesa. The company provides services such as creating "high-profile, racially sensitive studies that address social inequity and lead to recommendations for true social change."

TO COURT — Federal judge allows some aspects of 'Stop Woke Act' lawsuit to move forward, by POLITICO's Andrew Atterbury: Chief U.S. District Judge Mark Walker, in a 23-page decision, cleared the way for two teachers and an incoming kindergarten student to continue fighting the Florida Department of Education on the policies from HB 7, introduced by Gov. Ron DeSantis as the "Stop WOKE Act."

— Rule to block Medicaid from covering transgender transition-related medical care draws crowd , by POLITICO's Arek Sarkissian

— "Come October, 25-cent gas tax 'holiday' won't save Floridians much," by Orlando Sentinel's Skyler Swisher

— DeSantis hints at taking the FDA to court over the Canadian drug importation, by POLITICO's Arek Sarkissian

Gaetz-gate

OUTCOME — Gaetz 'wingman' gets new sentencing date, by POLITICO's Matt Dixon: A convicted former Florida tax official and one-time close associate with Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) will be sentenced in December, a date that comes after he spent more than a year cooperating with federal investigators. Former Seminole County Tax Collector Joel Greenberg will learn his fate during a Dec. 1 sentencing hearing that comes after U.S. District Judge Gregory Presnell agreed to delay sentencing as he cooperates with prosecutors looking into Gaetz and the wider array of scandal that emerged from their initial investigation into Greenberg's time in office.

PENINSULA AND BEYOND

DESTINATION — "Miami's Gold Rush: Finance firms and crypto move in, bringing strains," by Wall Street Journal's Deborah Acosta: "Led by Mayor Francis X. Suarez, Miami is attempting something so ambitious it has rarely succeeded anywhere before—transforming a city identified with glitzy beaches and nightlife into a world-class business and financial center. So far it seems to be working. Ken Griffin, who already lives primarily in Florida, said in June that he is moving his giant hedge fund Citadel from its Chicago headquarters to Miami. Financiers Carl Icahn and Orlando Bravo are among the billionaires who relocated to the area during the pandemic. The cryptocurrency exchange platform Blockchain.com moved its headquarters to Miami last year. The Miami Heat now play in the FTX Arena, named for the crypto exchange that paid $135 million for the rights."

Downsides — "But Miami is experiencing plenty of growing pains along the way. Wealthy tech and finance professionals are crowding out many lifelong residents. Apartment rents are rising faster in the Miami area than anywhere else in the country, by 58% over the past two years through March, according to Realtor.com."

MOUNT TALLAHASSEE — " Does this law doom Al Capone's mansion? New state law empowers owners to demolish old homes," by Miami Herald's Andres Viglucci and Rebecca San Juan: "For more than a year, preservationists had been making steady headway in an uphill, high-profile battle to save gangster Al Capone's estate on Miami Beach's Palm Island from possible demolition. And then the state of Florida stepped in. A new and little-noticed state law of mysterious origin, signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis and in effect as of July 1, just happens to prohibit local authorities from stopping the demolition of low-lying houses in designated flood zones — including Palm Island."

— " Broward school district donated LGBTQ books ahead of new Florida law," by South Florida Sun-Sentinel's Shira Moolten

— "Orlando censures staffers who cited 'division' in 4 ^th of July newsletter," by Orlando Sentinel's Ryan Gillespie

— "Cape Coral man jailed after alleged text threatening mass shooting," by Fort Myers News-Press' Michael Braun

— "U.S. Coast Guard has intercepted over 3,000 Florida-bound Cuban migrants since October," by Miami Herald's Omar Rodríguez Ortiz

— " As home values soar, calls grow to increase Citizens Insurance eligibility cap to $1 million statewide," by South Florida Sun-Sentinel's Ron Hurtibise

— " Ex-Disney workers sue, claiming religious discrimination," by The Associated Press

— "Big Olaf Creamery agrees to recall ice cream after listeria outbreak, Florida health officials say, " by Fox 13's Joneé Lewis and Fox 13 staff.

ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN

— "Lee County GOP chair Jonathan Martin faces battery investigation over meeting dispute," by Fort Myers News-Press' Dan Glaun: "Jonathan Martin, the chairman of the Lee County Republican Party and the sole GOP candidate for the 33rd State Senate seat, is under investigation for battery. Gov. Ron DeSantis released an executive order Wednesday transferring the investigation to the 12th Judicial Circuit, after local state attorney Amira Fox reported a conflict of interest because a member of Martin's family works for her office. Tara Jenner, a Lee County GOP committee member, told The News-Press that her son filed the complaint that led to the investigation, following a confrontation with Martin at a Republican Executive Committee meeting in May."

BIRTHDAYS: State Rep. Fred Hawkins … Ari Teman

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