| | | | |  | | By Gary Fineout | Hello and welcome to Monday. She’s in — Nikki Fried, the last Democrat to win a statewide election in Florida, is jumping into the crowded contest to lead the Florida Democratic Party. Reversal — The state’s former agriculture commissioner announced her decision in a late Sunday afternoon call with nearly 60 Democrats who can vote in the race for a new party chair. It’s a bit of a turnabout for Fried, who had said late last year that she was not interested in the post as Florida Democrats grew frustrated over their crushing defeat in the midterms. In her words — “My decision is not one made lightly,” Fried said in a statement shared with Playbook. “It comes after months of listening to friends, advisors and Democrats across the state. Florida Democratic Party chair was not the path I had originally envisioned for myself, but too much is at stake to sit on the sidelines — from women’s rights, economic opportunity and climate change to affording housing, protecting our democracy and education.” How we got here — Democrats are scheduled to meet later this month to designate a new leader after Manny Diaz abruptly resigned as chair in early January following an election that saw Gov. Ron DeSantis win reelection by nearly 20 points and Democrats get routed in legislative and congressional contests. And then there were five — Fried joins four other candidates who have already announced their bids for chair, including former state Sen. Annette Taddeo. Taddeo, who unsuccessfully challenged Rep. María Elvira Salazar in November, has already picked up support from many key Democrats, including state legislators and several congressional members, including Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz. Backing Fried — But there has been a faction of Democrats — many of them who have votes on the state’s executive committee — who did not support the other candidates, and last week a group of them urged Fried to join the race. Fried supporters now have a list of nearly 40 voting members who are backing her accounting for 350 out of the 578 votes needed to win. Still could be a spirited contest — Fried, however, may have to overcome misgivings that some in the progressive community have about her and whether she is too close to some of the state’s corporate interests. Where’s she coming from — Fried mounted an unsuccessful bid for governor last year where she lost decisively in the Democratic primary to Charlie Crist. In the aftermath of her loss, Fried said she was starting a new political committee called “Won’t Back Down” that planned to help female candidates who supported abortion rights and try to get an abortion rights measure on the 2024 ballot. It’s not clear what will happen to those efforts now. Challenges — Whoever wins the eventual contest for chair will have to grapple with a significant fundraising disadvantage as well an ever-growing voter registration gap Republicans are building. When he stepped, down Diaz sharply criticized national Democrats for raising money from Florida donors but then failing to direct that money to help with state operations. He also faulted Democratic legislative campaign organizations for focusing “exclusively” on their candidates and not helping the party. Promises — In her statement, Fried vowed to “rededicate ourselves to voter registration, training and growing our progressive coalitions. I am determined to rebuild the trust of national committees and I will dedicate the full weight of the party to quality candidate recruitment and to reforming our antiquated weighted vote system and bylaws which too often exclude rather than include.” — WHERE'S RON? — Nothing official for Gov. Ron DeSantis. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for Playbook? Get in touch: gfineout@politico.com
| | | | STEP INSIDE THE WEST WING: What's really happening in West Wing offices? Find out who's up, who's down, and who really has the president’s ear in our West Wing Playbook newsletter, the insider's guide to the Biden White House and Cabinet. For buzzy nuggets and details that you won't find anywhere else, subscribe today. | | | | | |  | DESANTISLAND | | MORE PUSHBACK — The College Board slams DeSantis administration comments on African American studies, by POLITICO’s Bianca Quilantan and Andrew Atterbury: The College Board on Saturday pushed back on reports of communication with Florida over its new African American studies course amid weeks of intense scrutiny — including claims the nonprofit caved to Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis’ objections. “We need to clear the air and set the record straight,” the nonprofit said in a statement labeling as “slander” the DeSantis administration’s comments about how the new course “lacks educational value.” TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS — Florida GOP hands DeSantis wins on Disney, migrants ahead of likely ’24 bid, by POLITICO’s Matt Dixon: “Republicans in Florida gave Gov. Ron DeSantis everything he sought before a likely 2024 presidential bid. During a five-day special legislative session that concluded Friday, the Republican-dominated House and Senate approved seven bills, including high-priority measures that would expand his controversial migrant transport program, give Florida more control over Disney World and strengthen prosecutorial power over voting violations. Each of the measures builds on previously approved laws that left issues unresolved or faced legal hurdles.” | 
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday rolled out his "Framework for Freedom" budget at the state Capitol in Tallahassee | Gary Fineout/POLITICO |
THE WAITING — “DeSantis’s challenge: When, and how, to counterattack Trump,” by The New York Times’ Michael C. Bender and Maggie Haberman: “For months, Mr. DeSantis has pursued a strategy of conflict avoidance with his top rival in the shadow 2024 Republican presidential primary, delaying what is likely to be a hostile and divisive clash that forces the party’s voters to pick sides. But now he faces the pressing question of how long this approach can work. Mr. Trump, who has spent weeks trying to goad Mr. DeSantis into a fight with rude nicknames like ‘Ron DeSanctimonious,’ is stepping up his social media-fueled assault, even as polls and interviews show that Mr. DeSantis has become the leading alternative to the former president for many voters and donors.”
HMM — “DeSantis wanted to ban guns at event, but not to be blamed, emails show,” by Washington Post’s Beth Reinhard: “As Gov. Ron DeSantis prepared for an election night party in downtown Tampa last year, city officials received a surprising — and politically sensitive — request. The Republican governor’s campaign wanted weapons banned from his victory celebration at the city-run Tampa Convention Center, a city official said in emails obtained by The Washington Post. And the campaign suggested that the city take responsibility for the firearms ban, the official said — not the governor, who has been a vocal supporter of gun rights.” — “Trump, Biden, turn up the volume on DeSantis as Florida’s governor 2024 stature rises,” by Fox News’ Paul Steinhauser — “DeSantis’s corporate donors under fire for ‘hypocrisy’ over Black History Month,” by The Guardian’s David Smith — “DeSantis skips White House event as he and Biden draw 2024 battle lines,” by NBC News’ Peter Nicholas and Mike Memoli | | ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... | | TIGHTENED FURTHER — “Florida to ban care for transgender care — even in clinical trials,” by Tampa Bay Times’ Romy Ellenbogen and Sam Ogozalek: “Transgender youth in Florida seeking to start puberty blockers and hormone therapy will have no access to treatment in the state once a pending ban takes effect — not even in clinical trials. The Board of Osteopathic Medicine on Friday removed an opportunity for minors diagnosed with gender dysphoria to receive nonsurgical gender-affirming care in clinical trials. The ban will run counter to recommendations from major medical organizations like the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Psychological Association and the Endocrine Society.” R.I.P. — Steve Uhlfelder, a lawyer and lobbyist who played key roles in state government over several decades, died Sunday morning following a battle with Parkinson’s disease and other ailments, according to a statement his family provided to the Tallahassee Democrat. Some of his career highlights included serving as executive director of the state’s Constitution Revision Commission as well as chair of the Florida Board of Regents, the panel that used to oversee the state’s university system. Uhlfelder had longstanding ties to Florida Democrats, but helped craft a statewide mentoring initiative put in place by Republican Gov. Jeb Bush. He was honored with a national “Point of Light” award by President George W. Bush. He also had a pivotal role in higher education, including helping Sandy D’Alemberte become president of Florida State University in the 1990s. Just days before he died, Uhlfelder posted a message on Facebook where he expressed alarm at recent changes to higher education being pushed by Gov. Ron DeSantis. Uhlfelder said he was concerned the governor’s efforts would harm recruitment of students and professors and lead to a diminishment in research dollars. “I am not a partisan alarmist but a realist who has been involved in higher ed for over 40 years. If you don't believe me, read or listen to the respected national and state press. Or better yet talk to a professor or administrator. Unfortunately, most key administrators and faculty are afraid to speak up in fear of losing their jobs or funding for their institutions.” — “Takeaways from Florida’s fix-it special legislative session,” by Tampa Bay Times’ Lawrence Mower and the Miami Herald’s Mary Ellen Klas and Ana Ceballos — Florida Senate introduces universal school choice bill, by POLITICO’s Andrew Atterbury
| | | | DOWNLOAD THE POLITICO MOBILE APP: Stay up to speed with the newly updated POLITICO mobile app, featuring timely political news, insights and analysis from the best journalists in the business. The sleek and navigable design offers a convenient way to access POLITICO's scoops and groundbreaking reporting. Don’t miss out on the app you can rely on for the news you need, reimagined. DOWNLOAD FOR iOS– DOWNLOAD FOR ANDROID. | | | | | | | TRUMPLANDIA AND THE SWAMP | | WHAT’S IN YOUR WALLET? — “After helping prince’s rise, Trump and Kushner benefit from Saudi funds,” by Washington Post’s Michael Kranish: “But one ally moved quickly to the rescue. The day after leaving the White House, [Jared] Kushner created a company that he transformed months later into a private equity firm with $2 billion from a sovereign wealth fund chaired by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Kushner’s firm structured those funds in such a way that it did not have to disclose the source, according to previously unreported details of Securities and Exchange Commission forms reviewed by The Washington Post.” — “Trump campaign paid researchers to prove 2020 fraud but kept findings secret,” by Washington Post’s Josh Dawsey — “Trump lawyers appeared before grand jury as part of classified-documents probe,” by Wall Street Journal’s C. Ryan Barber and Alex Leary — “The big-money effort in the GOP to stop Trump,” by Axios’ Josh Kraushaar — “‘Who is that’? Donald Trump reminds Ron DeSantis of previous supplication,” by Florida Politics’ A.G. Gancarski — “Bradenton Proud Boy known as ‘Milkshake’ pleads guilty to Jan. 6 charges,” by Sarasota Herald-Tribune’s Jesse Mendoza | | DATELINE D.C. | | ‘MAKING IT BETTER’ — GOP senator: ‘Vast majority’ want ‘a different direction’ than Rick Scott on social security, by POLITICO’s Olivia Olander: Most Republicans don’t agree with Sen. Rick Scott‘s plan to sunset programs including Medicare and Social Security, Sen. Mike Rounds said Sunday on CNN’s “State of the Union,” even as he left the door open to other changes. “The vast majority of us would say that we prefer to look at it in a different direction, one of managing it, as opposed to a discussion about having everything start over again,” Rounds said. A CLOSER LOOK — “The making of Anna Paulina Luna,” by Washington Post Jacqueline Alemany and Alice Crites: “Twelve years before she was elected as the first Mexican American woman to represent Florida in Congress, Anna Paulina Luna was serving at Whiteman Air Force Base in Warrensburg, Mo., where friends said she described herself as alternately Middle Eastern, Jewish or Eastern European. Known then by her given last name of Mayerhofer, Luna sported designer clothing and expressed support for then-President Barack Obama.” — “Washington Post’s ‘bizarre,’ ‘comical’ profile of Anna Paulina Luna littered with errors, congresswoman says,” by Fox News’ Thomas Pippen — “Gaetz introduces resolution to end military and financial aid to Ukraine, urge peace deal,” by Fox News’ Adam Shaw — “Jared Moskowitz announces initiative to break bread with Republicans over lunch,” by Florida Politics’ Anne Geggis — “House Democrat Cherfilus-McCormick says Democrats need a ‘Come to Jesus’ moment,” by The Floridian’s Grayson Bakich | | THE GUNSHINE STATE | | ‘REGAIN OUR SENSE OF SELF’ — “Parkland youth activists find new ways to fight back against gun violence,” by South Florida Sun-Sentinel’s Cindy Krischer Goodman: “Today, some are in college, some are in the real world. Most no longer want the spotlight. They have shrugged off the adult pressure to “fix” gun violence, acknowledged their struggles with delayed grief, and found new ways to effect change. ‘We all have had to keep moving forward and living our lives in ways we deserve to live them,’ said Jacyln Corin, one of the five March for Our Lives co-founders featured on the cover of Time magazine. ‘We needed to regain our sense of self.’ — “On Parkland anniversary, gun safety advocates cite ‘less progress’ than expected five years ago,” by Palm Beach Post’s Stephany Matat | | PENINSULA AND BEYOND | | STILL IN FLORIDA — “Jair Bolsonaro, ex-Brazilian president, rallies support in a Boca Raton church,” by Palm Beach Post’s Hannah Phillips: “Hundreds of supporters packed into a Boca Raton church Saturday to hear former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, the so-called ‘Trump of the Tropics,’ speak about his administration and the election that cut it short. Bolsonaro relocated to a suburb in Central Florida this year after losing re-election in October. Like Donald Trump, the former South American leader has worked to cast doubt over his opponent's victory.” | 
Jair Bolsonaro speaks at Trump National Doral Miami on Feb. 3, 2023, in Doral, Fla. | AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell |
‘SOLD A BILL OF GOODS’ — “‘People got screwed’ Despite troubles, green energy lender seeks restart in Florida,” by Miami Herald’s Alex Harris: “But late last year, Ygrene [Energy], the state’s most high-profile green energy finance company, suddenly vanished from the Florida market — a move that left contractors in the middle of projects unpaid and homeowners scrambling to pay big unexpected bills. Now, despite an ongoing investigation into the company by Florida’s attorney general, over a hundred consumer complaints and dozens of lawsuits across the state, Ygrene may be poised to restart business in Florida, its largest and least-regulated market.”
— “Other states have fixed consumer protection problems with PACE loans. Why not Florida?” by Miami Herald’s Alex Harris — “Broward and Miami-Dade homeowners can’t buy what some say is the best way to keep water out of your homes in a hurricane,” by South Florida Sun-Sentinel’s Ron Hurtibise — “After ‘grave concerns’ from state education commissioner, Duval schools cancel 2023 youth survey,” by Florida Times-Union’s Beth Reese Cravey — “Florida nursing homes see a spike in violations,” by Tampa Bay Times’ Hannah Critchfield | | ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN | | — “As pythons try to hide, they face a new enemy: Possums with GPS collars,” by South Florida Sun-Sentinel’s Bill Kearney: “When they finally yanked it out of the ground, they discovered a 12-foot-long, 66-pound female full of egg follicles. Large females like this can lay close to 100 eggs and are the holy grail for python hunters. Removing them from the ecosystem is like removing dozens, if not hundreds, of future snakes.” BIRTHDAYS: Alex Burgos, public affairs director at Meta
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