News: POLITICO Florida Playbook: Storm clouds: Ian creates election dilemma for DeSantis

Wednesday, October 12, 2022

POLITICO Florida Playbook: Storm clouds: Ian creates election dilemma for DeSantis

Oct 12, 2022

This just in …. The Treasury Department's inspector general office told members of the Massachusetts congressional delegation that it is reviewing how Florida used money connected to federal Covid-19 relief to pay for the transport of migrants from Texas to Martha's Vineyard.

Hello and welcome to Wednesday.

Waiting — It's been two weeks since deadly Hurricane Ian slammed into the Florida coast and Gov. Ron DeSantis and state election officials have yet to announce what steps — if any — will be taken ahead of the midterm elections.

The situation — Across southwest Florida, a reliably Republican region of the state, homes have been destroyed, making it impossible to deliver a vote-by-mail ballot and rendered polling places unavailable. There has been anticipation — and rumblings — that state officials could as soon as today announce a plan to set up super voting centers in the three hardest-hit counties. That would allow voters to sidestep existing state laws, including one that requires voters to cast a ballot in their assigned precinct on Election Day.

And there's this — But any move to accommodate voters in a GOP area would require DeSantis and Secretary of State Cord Byrd to use emergency powers to waive state law — an area of contention ever since the 2020 elections and the baseless allegations of widespread voter fraud. Some of those who have pushed these allegations maintained that people who were voting didn't live at their listed address. Well, that certainly could be the case this time around given the extent of the devastation caused by Ian.

Weighing in — On Tuesday, a coalition of nine civil rights and voting rights organizations — including some that have sued the state over its voting laws — wrote Byrd and top state election officials "to express our concern about the impact of Hurricane Ian on Floridians' ability to successfully vote in the ongoing general election. The destruction caused by Hurricane Ian has significantly disrupted election administration in affected counties."

Suggestions — Those who signed the letter included the NAACP, All Voting is Local, the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida, Equal Ground, Common Cause Florida and Latino Justice. The groups proposed a series of changes ahead of the Nov. 8 election, including extending the voter registration deadline (which was Tuesday), expanding early voting hours and days, allowing vote-by-mail ballots to be forwarded to a different address and permitting election supervisors to consolidate and relocate polling places.

Dilemma — Byrd has talked to election officials in the affected counties and there is certainly anticipation that the state will replicate what happened in the Panhandle in 2018 after Hurricane Michael hit in October. The conundrum, however, is that even allowing the creation of super voting centers would run contrary to Florida law. And it's worth noting that supervisors asked legislators to change the law to allow these voting centers in the future. The Legislature said no.

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

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MIGRANTS IN MASSACHUSETTS

MORE ATTENTION — Treasury Department probing DeSantis' migrant flights, by POLITICO's Gary Fineout and Lisa Kashinsky : The Treasury Department is examining Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' migrant transports and whether the Republican governor improperly used money connected to Covid-19 aid to facilitate the flights. The agency's inspector general's office confirmed to several members of Massachusetts's Democratic congressional delegation that it planned "to get this work underway as soon as possible" to probe Florida's spending as part of ongoing audits into how states have used the billions in sent to them as part of the American Rescue Plan, according to a letter provided by Democratic Massachusetts Sen. Ed Markey's office.

Details — In an Oct. 7 letter to Markey and five House members, Richard K. Delmar, deputy inspector general for the Treasury Department told the lawmakers that the agency would "review the allowability" of Covid-19 aid to states "related to immigration generally, and will specifically confirm whether interest earned on (the) funds was utilized by Florida related to immigration activities, and if so, what conditions and limitations apply to such use."

CAMPAIGN MODE

LINCOLN PROJECT SLAMS RUBIO — The Lincoln Project is out with a new digital ad that rips Sen. Marco Rubio over his defense of former President Donald Trump while at the same time maintaining that he backs law enforcement. "Marco Rubio wants you to think crime is a top issue in this election. So why does he spend so much time defending Donald Trump who is at the center of 19 pending criminal and civil cases from tax fraud to stealing classified document to trying to violently overthrow an election. Rubio backs Trump, not law and order." The ad then praises Rubio's challenger, Rep. Val Demings . The group said the digital ad is targeted to moderates concerned about crime and neighborhood safety, and will be running in Tampa, Hialeah, Jacksonville and Orlando suburbs.

MAGIC 8-BALL SAYS — "Is Ron DeSantis as strong a potential candidate as he seems?" by The New York Times' Blake Hounshell: "American politics is no longer as predictable as it once was. Each day seems to violate one bit of received wisdom or another. But [Scott] Walker's rise and fall nevertheless offers a cautionary tale for Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida, the current favorite to be the G.O.P. nominee in 2024. 'There are a lot of folks who have buzz right now,' said Bob Vander Plaats, president of The Family Leader, a social conservative organization in Iowa. 'Will they have buzz a year from now?' Vander Plaats, who has met DeSantis and said he was well regarded within Iowa Republican political circles, added, 'I would rather be peaking at this stage versus not peaking at all.'"

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis - seen here at a press conference earlier in the year - is considered a frontrunner for the GOP nomination if he runs for president in 2024 | Getty Images

GIFFORDS LAUNCHES AD FOR PEREZ — Giffords Florida, which is connected to the gun safety organization started by former Rep. Gabby Giffords, is out with new Spanish-language radio and digital ads in Miami including one that touts Janelle Perez, a Democratic candidate for the state Senate. The radio ad says that Perez "respects the Second Amendment" but that she will "vote for safety, not extremism." "For too long, politicians have offered thoughts and prayers but have done nothing – the time for action is now," said Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, a senior adviser for Giffords. "Polling shows that the majority of Floridians, especially in Latino and Hispanic communities, support gun safety. We must elect leaders to office in Tallahassee who will put our children and our families first, not the gun lobby."

WHAT RON DESANTIS IS READING — Miriam Adelson won't pick a favorite in Republicans' 2024 primary, by POLITICO's Alex Isenstadt: Former President Donald Trump and a host of other Republicans are preparing to run for the White House in 2024. But the party's most prominent megadonor wants nothing to do with the fight. Republican benefactor Miriam Adelson has told would-be GOP presidential candidates that she doesn't intend to get involved in the party's 2024 primary, according to two people with direct knowledge of the discussions. With prospective candidates already maneuvering to win over donors, Adelson's decision takes off the board the party's most sought-after funder.

Chatted — The list of possible contenders who've spoken with Adelson includes Trump, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, former Vice President Mike Pence, former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Florida Sen. Rick Scott and Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson.

TURNED DOWN — " Judge denies Seminole GOP chair's request for new trial," by Orlando Sentinel's Annie Martin: "A Seminole County judge has denied a request for a new trial from Seminole GOP Chair Ben Paris, who was convicted in September on a misdemeanor charge that he caused his cousin's name to be falsely listed on independent state Senate candidate Jestine Iannotti's campaign contribution records in 2020."

— " Charlie Crist tries to focus governor's race on abortion rights," by USA Today Network-Florida John Kennedy

— " Did Marco Rubio refuse to debate Val Demings to attend a three-day South Beach fundraiser?" by Florida Politics' Jacob Ogles

— "Maxwell Frost, Calvin Wimbish to debate Thursday in Orlando congressional race ," by Orlando Sentinel's Steven Lemongello

— "Keeping remarks brief, Rick Scott makes Georgia stop for Herschel Walker," by Florida Politics A.G. Gancarski

— "Voters have the power to oust four far-right Florida Supreme Court justices on Nov. 8. Will they use it?" by Florida Bulldog's Noreen Marcus

Send us your political mailers: We're looking to bring more transparency to the elections process. How you can help: Send us photos of the campaign ads you've gotten in the mail. You can upload photos here or email them to mailers@politico.com.

...HURRICANE HOLE...

ON THE ROAD AGAIN — "Sanibel Causeway is intact again as trucks roll onto island battered by Hurricane Ian ," by Fort Myers News-Press Amy Bennett Williams: "Vehicles are once again rolling across the Sanibel Causeway. On Tuesday afternoon, more than 350 trucks and trailers bringing help to the Hurricane Ian-battered barrier island climbed the first span of the freshly patched three-mile connection to the mainland. Gov. Ron DeSantis promised everyone else will be able to do the same in 10 days. 'This will be open for civilian use Oct. 21,' the governor said at a news conference Tuesday afternoon."

RESPONSE — Environmentalists and activists call for reforms after Hurricane Ian, by POLITICO's Bruce Ritchie: Some environmental and progressive activists as well as supporters of renewable energy are calling for reforms after Hurricane Ian caused catastrophic damage to the state, saying the storm shows the need for Florida to transition to a cleaner, decentralized electrical system and to move development away from the coast…."What this really drives home is the urgency with which we all need to embrace a future in which we leverage innovation, distributed technologies to make a grid that is more resilient in the face of climate change," said Mary Powell, chief executive officer of the Sunrun home solar and battery storage company.

FALLOUT — Florida's billion-dollar fishing industry struggles after Hurricane Ian, by POLITICO's Hannah Farrow: Florida's fishing industry is integral to Florida's economy. Saltwater recreational fishing alone has a $9.2 billion impact on the state and employs over 88,000 people; commercial fishing generates $3.2 billion in income and supports over 76,000 jobs, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. "In Lee County, everyone's hurting," said Andrew Ropicki, a University of Florida assistant professor in food and resource economics and a Florida Sea Grant marine resource economics specialist. The biggest impacts he's researched so far are to the shrimp industry.

— "Florida shrimpers race to get battered fleet back to sea," by The Associated Press' Jay Reeves

— " Damage from Hurricane Ian at $2.2 billion in Collier; more than 3,500 buildings face major damage," by Naples Daily News' Liz Freeman

— "'Our bubble has been burst': Older storm victims face an uncertain future ," by The New York Times' Emily Cochrane and Julie Bosman

— "'We get it last.' Florida Black leaders helping, say Hurricane Ian victims of color not getting an assist," by Palm Beach Post's Wayne Washington

MAPMAKER, MAPMAKER

BEHIND THE CURTAIN — "How Ron DeSantis blew up Black-held congressional districts and may have broken Florida law," by ProPublica's Joshua Kaplan: "A ProPublica examination of how that map was drawn — and who helped decide its new boundaries — reveals a much different origin story. The new details show that the governor's office appears to have misled the public and the state legislature and may also have violated Florida law. [Gov. Ron] DeSantis aides worked behind the scenes with an attorney who serves as the national GOP's top redistricting lawyer and other consultants tied to the national party apparatus, according to records and interviews."

WHO WANTS TO KNOW? — " Lawmakers seek shield in redistricting fight," by News Service of Florida's Jim Saunders: "Six lawmakers, including House Speaker Chris Sprowls, and legislative staff members have asked a judge for a protective order that would shield them from testifying in a lawsuit about the constitutionality of a new congressional redistricting plan. Attorneys for the House and Senate late Monday filed a motion in Leon County circuit court seeking to block depositions of the lawmakers and five current and former staff members."

TRUMPLANDIA AND THE SWAMP

AS THE PAGES TURN — DOJ to SCOTUS: Steer clear of Trump's Mar-a-Lago case appeal, by POLITICO's Josh Gerstein and Kyle Cheney: The Justice Department is asking the Supreme Court to turn down former President Donald Trump's bid to get a set of about 100 documents marked as classified back into the hands of an independent "special master" reviewing materials seized from his Mar-a-Lago estate. Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar said in a brief filed Tuesday afternoon that there's no reason for the high court to step into the dispute over what role the court system should play, if any, in overseeing investigators' access to the records the FBI recovered from Trump's Florida home.

WHAT'S IN YOUR WALLET? — "How Trump's legal expenses consumed GOP donor money," by Washington Post's Isaac Stanley-Becker and Josh Dawsey: "Donald Trump's political operation has spent more money since he left office on lawyers representing the former president and a pair of nonprofits staffed by former Cabinet members than it has on Republican congressional campaigns, according to a review of financial filings. Trump's leadership PAC, Save America, has blitzed supporters in recent days with fundraising solicitations that focus on next month's high-stakes contest for control of Congress. 'It is IMPERATIVE that we win BIG in November,' blared an email last week."

CORONAVIRUS UPDATES

'POLITICS DRIVING SCIENCE' — Medical experts reject Florida surgeon general's Covid-19 vaccine guidance, by POLITICO's Arek Sarkissian: Daniel Salmon, director of the Institute for Vaccine Safety at Johns Hopkins University, said [State Surgeon General Joseph] Ladapo's recommendations go against guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and American Academy of Pediatrics. Other agencies or medical associations, including the Food and Drug Administration and Mayo Clinic, have also emphasized that the vaccines are safe and effective. "It looks to me like this is politics driving science," Salmon said on Tuesday. "And the result is you get terrible science."

Joseph A. Ladapo, left, speaks at a news conference with Ron DeSantis, right.

Dr. Joseph A. Ladapo, left, speaks at a news conference with Ron DeSantis. | Wilfredo Lee/AP Photo

THE GUNSHINE STATE

THE CLOSE — "Attorneys argue over shooter's fate: death or prison," by The Associated Press' Terry Spencer: "The prosecutor and defense attorney for Florida school shooter Nikolas Cruz agreed Tuesday that his 2018 attack that killed 17 people was horrible, but disagreed in their closing arguments on whether it was an act of evil worthy of execution or one of a broken person who should be imprisoned for life. Lead prosecutor Mike Satz and his defense counterpart, Melisa McNeill, painted for the 12 jurors competing pictures of what drove Cruz's attack at Parkland's Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on Valentine's Day."

— " False reports: South Florida high schools locked down after 'swatting' calls about active shooters," by South Florida Sun-Sentinel's Shira Moolten

— "' Hoax' shooting calls at multiple schools in Tampa Bay, across Florida, police say," by Tampa Bay Times' Matt Cohen

PENINSULA AND BEYOND

PROMISES, PROMISES — "Levine Cava vowed to fix county jails. Court monitor sees 'failure to competently act ,'" by Miami Herald's Douglas Hanks and David Ovalle: "Jail reform has been a top priority for Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava since taking office two years ago, but the county's Corrections Department still suffers from poor management and a shoddy safety record after 11 inmate deaths this year, according to a federal monitor. In an Aug. 12 report, the head of a monitoring group enforcing a 2013 federal improvement plan for the jail system said she was encouraged by the mayor's statements but discouraged by continued management failures in the jails."

DECISION — "Feds deny increased gopher tortoise protections in Florida," by News Service of Florida's Jim Saunders: "Concluding that the animals are 'not in danger of extinction,' federal wildlife officials Tuesday rejected listing gopher tortoises in Florida as endangered or threatened species. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service released a 113-page decision that said gopher tortoises would continue to be considered a threatened species in parts of southwest Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana under the Endangered Species Act. But it said increased protections are not warranted for gopher tortoises in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and other parts of Alabama, despite issues such as development moving into the animals' habitats."

— Florida collectibles dealer connected to Gaetz probe sentenced to 15 months, by POLITICO's Hannah Farrow

— " Palm Beach County School Board will discuss menstrual history questions at special meeting," by Palm Beach Post's Katherine Kokal

ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN

BIRTHDAYS: State Sen. Lauren Book … state Sen. Shevrin Jones … former Rep. Joe Garcia