| | | | |  | | By Gary Fineout | Good Friday morning and Happy St. Patrick’s Day Big group — There are now 22 Republicans in the House and Senate from Florida, a significantly higher number than before because Gov. Ron DeSantis pushed through a House redistricting plan (that is being challenged in federal and state court) that wound up increasing the number of GOP-friendly districts. Asked and not answered — Many of those Republicans are — publicly at least — declining to take sides so far on who would be a better GOP candidate for president. Avoiding conflict — Rep. Neal Dunn told POLITICO’s Olivia Beavers that “Oh, wow. You really are trying to get me into a situation here.” He also said that while he has made up his mind on who he would endorse, he added: “I don’t need to make myself a target for a year.” Quite the analogy — Rep. Aaron Bean called deciding between Trump and DeSantis a “Sophie’s Choice” — a reference to the film and novel where the Nazis force a woman to select which one of her children will die. (It’s worth pointing out here that during a Republican Party of Florida debate last year, Bean was asked the same question and sided with DeSantis.) Backing Trump — There are two Republicans — Reps. Matt Gaetz and Anna Paulina Luna — who have endorsed Trump. Luna did say that “I love DeSantis. I don’t think anyone will ever be able to compete with him as governor and I’ll be sad to see if he leaves early. I hope he doesn’t, but I love them both.” Read between the lines — Sen. Rick Scott, who has an icy relationship with DeSantis, has sidestepped questions about Trump vs. DeSantis multiple times and says he doesn’t like to endorse in primaries. But he did give this interesting answer: “DeSantis doesn’t talk to me, so I don’t know about DeSantis. I talk to Trump. I wish him all the best of luck.” — WHERE'S RON? — Gov. DeSantis is holding a press conference in Fort Myers with Kevin Guthrie, the state’s emergency management director. 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 | | IF YOU CHOOSE NOT TO DECIDE — ‘You think I’m crazy?’ Florida GOP sweats Trump vs. DeSantis, by POLITICO’s Olivia Beavers: Former President Donald Trump is notorious for his revenge politics, having spent his two post-White House years taking down GOP lawmakers who crossed him by encouraging his base to support their primary opponents. But with his influence in the party on the wane, Florida Republicans are just as acutely aware that they need a strong relationship with their governor. And Gov. Ron DeSantis, who’s especially vocal on natural disaster response and home-state projects, has the power to inflict pain over any of his own grudges. |  Reps. Matt Gaetz and Anna Paulina Luna have publicly endorsed Trump's 2024 presidential bid | Getty Images |
THE DESANTIS WAY — “Trump vs. DeSantis: Rivals’ very different styles on display,” by The Associated Press’ Steve People and Jill Colvin: “In his first trip to Iowa this year, Ron DeSantis did not take any questions from voters. He ignored the local press. He avoided the diners, pizza parlors and ice cream shops that have helped presidential contenders in the leadoff voting state showcase their personal appeal and charisma for decades. For DeSantis, a leading Republican presidential prospect, it was simply business as usual.”
A FAMILIAR THEME — “Under fire, DeSantis, Ladapo keep trashing COVID-19 vaccine,” by Orlando Sentinel’s Steven Lemongello and Caroline Catherman: In the wake of federal health officials’ harshest criticism yet of their anti-COVID vaccine views, Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo and Gov. Ron DeSantis persisted Thursday in claiming the 'mRNA jabs' are worthless at best and even dangerous, despite an abundance of evidence to the contrary. Their comments at an event in Winter Haven come as Florida now has one of the lowest rates of boosted seniors over 65, according to CDC data from March 8. The state once led the nation in its efforts to vaccinate seniors, with DeSantis leading the charge. ON HOLD — DeSantis’ anti-woke law remains blocked in Florida colleges, by POLITICO’s Andrew Atterbury: Florida remains unable to enforce the “Stop-WOKE” law touted by Gov. Ron DeSantis in light of a federal appeals court ruling Thursday that keeps the policies on hold for colleges and universities. The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals denied a request from the DeSantis administration and higher education officials to block an injunction that determined the law restricting how race can be taught in schools was unconstitutional, ensuring that state officials are barred from carrying out the measure for now. FLASHBACK — “DeSantis once said Russia was ‘violating Ukrainian sovereignty,’ threatening NATO allies,” by McClatchy D.C.’s Michael Wilner: “As a junior U.S. congressman from Florida in 2014, Ron DeSantis accused Moscow of 'violating Ukrainian sovereignty,' accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of creating a 'pretext' to invade its neighbor, and sought assurances from the Obama administration that the United States would stand by its NATO allies. In contrast, DeSantis now calls Russia’s invasion of Ukraine a ‘territorial dispute’ that is not core to U.S. interests, a position he made clear earlier this week in a statement to a Fox News host.” — Harris blasts DeSantis over Ukraine remarks, lack of experience, by POLITICO’s Matt Berg — “Florida Republicans DeSantis and Rubio go opposite directions on help for Ukraine,” by Palm Beach Post’s Antonio Fins | | ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... | |
NOW MOVING — “Florida’s proposed six-week abortion ban moves through first committee,” by POLITICO’s Arek Sarkissian: A House panel on Thursday advanced a proposal to ban abortions after six weeks of pregnancy along party lines amid concerns from opponents who said the measure made having the procedure nearly impossible. The measure, HB 7, introduced by state Rep. Jennifer Persons Mulicka (R-Fort Myers), would also offer exemptions for victims of rape and incest up to 15 weeks into their pregnancy. A victim would need to provide documentation, such as a police report, in order to qualify for the exemption, which is particularly challenging to people living in rural parts of the state.
POWER PLAY — ‘It is a Reedy Creek’: Local bill would establish state board to lead Gainesville utility, by POLITICO’s Bruce Ritchie: A Republican House leader who is an Alachua County legislator on Thursday vowed to file legislation that would allow the state to appoint a board to lead Gainesville's city-owned utility. Rep. Chuck Clemons Sr. (R-Newberry), who has criticized the utility's debt, electricity rates and use of utility revenue to pay for city services, also said he had spoken to Gov. Ron DeSantis and that the governor supports the proposed local bill. The governor's office did not respond to requests for comment. Response — Representatives of labor unions, the Sierra Club chapter in Gainesville and the League of Women Voters of Alachua County gathered in front of Gainesville City Hall on Thursday to criticize the proposal. Some critics, including [Rep. Yvonne Hayes] Hinson, suggest that it could be a precursor to Florida Power & Light Co. making a bid to acquire [Gainesville Regional Utilities]. …."Do you remember what happened in Jacksonville?" Hinson said, referring to FPL's bid to purchase the city-owned utility that led to corruption charges against Jacksonville officials. "It wasn't good either." THE AGENDA — “DeSantis, GOP lawmakers flex muscle over Florida school teachers union,” by USA Today Network-Florida’s John Kennedy: “Teachers unions and those representing health care workers would face new hurdles organizing and keeping members under measures advancing in the Republican-controlled House and Senate, moves one opponent cast as ‘plainly political retribution.’ The state’s biggest teachers union, the Florida Education Association, and the labor organization Service Employees International Union, which represents health care employees and others, fought bitterly against Gov. Ron DeSantis’ re-election campaign last fall.” FALLOUT — “Rep. Gallop Franklin’s transgender care remark, voucher votes spark anger among Democrats,” by Tallahassee Democrat’s James Call: Rep. Gallop Franklin, D-Tallahassee, is drawing fire from fellow Democrats in the first two weeks of his first legislative session. The pharmacist turned lawmaker has since walked back remarks that appeared to support a ban on gender-affirming care for transgender children — but stands by his support for what would be the largest taxpayer funded school voucher program in the nation. Franklin was elected in November to represent House District 8, where two-thirds of voters are Democratic and oppose much of the Republican agenda for schools and the LGBTQ community moving in the Florida House and Senate. — “Florida universal voucher bill inches closer to DeSantis’ desk as critics fear ‘the worst,’” by Tallahassee Democrat’s Ana Goñi-Lessan
| | | | 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 | | STORM SEASON — “Trump blasts DeSantis for insurance company ‘bailout’ legislation,” by Tampa Bay Times’ Lawrence Mower: “Former President Donald Trump blasted Gov. Ron DeSantis for wanting to give insurance companies widespread protections from lawsuits, calling it ‘the worst Insurance Scam in the entire Country!’ Taking to Truth Social just after midnight Thursday, Trump said Floridians are getting ‘crushed’ by their insurance companies. ‘Ron DeSanctimonious is delivering the biggest insurance company BAILOUT to Globalist Insurance Companies, IN HISTORY,’ Trump wrote. ‘He’s also crushed Florida homeowners whose houses were destroyed in the Hurricane - They’re getting pennies on the dollar.’” GOING ON OFFENSE — “As a possible indictment looms, Trump’s team plans to attack,” by The New York Times’ Maggie Haberman: “As former President Donald J. Trump faces likely criminal charges, his campaign is preparing to wage a political war. With an indictment looming from the Manhattan district attorney, Alvin L. Bragg, Mr. Trump’s campaign is laying the groundwork for a broad attack on Mr. Bragg, a Democrat. According to two of Mr. Trump’s political allies, the campaign will aim to portray any charges as part of a coordinated offensive by the Democratic Party against Mr. Trump, who is trying to become only the second former president to win a new term after leaving office.” — “Trump blends new policies with old grievances in his 2024 campaign,” by NBC News’ Allan Smith and Jonathan Allen — Pence on whether Trump should bow if indicted: It’s up to him, by POLITICO’s Lisa Kashinsky — “Trump’s VP? Some in GOP already jockeying for consideration,” by The Associated Press’ Jill Colvin | | DATELINE D.C. | | DROPPING BY — “Congressman Mills talks on Ukraine, woke ideology, little on district at Ovideo town hall,” by Orlando Sentinel’s Martin E. Comas: “U.S. Rep. Cory Mills railed against woke ideology, American involvement in Ukraine, China buying farmland in the United States, the flow of illegal immigrants at the Mexican border and federal funding of the Environmental Protection Agency, at his first town hall meeting on Wednesday in Oviedo. … He called Gov. Ron DeSantis ‘the greatest governor in the United States.’ However, he did not say whether he would support Donald Trump or DeSantis, if the Florida governor launched a presidential bid.”
| | CAMPAIGN MODE | | ‘WET SIGNATURE’ LAWSUIT — Vote.org — a national get-out-the-vote group — along with the Florida Alliance for Retired Americans and the Florida State Conference of the NAACP filed a lawsuit on Thursday challenging a requirement that voter registration applications include an original ink a.k.a. “wet signature.” The federal lawsuit against Secretary of State Cord Byrd and all 67 election supervisors maintains the requirement is contrary to federal law and “immaterial” to determining whether someone is eligible to vote. The lawsuit points out that a digital signature is allowed if someone submits their application through the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles or if they have a driver's license and apply online. | | ...HURRICANE HOLE... | |
AFTERMATH — “Insurers broke the law in slashing Hurricane Ian payouts, group alleges,” by Orlando Sentinel’s Trevor Fraser: “An insurance industry watchdog group says that it will submit to Florida law enforcement evidence of crimes committed by insurance company employees in the aftermath of the devastation caused by Hurricane Ian last year. The announcement comes after a story in the Washington Post alleged that insurers dramatically reduced adjuster estimates of Hurricane Ian damage in southwest Florida to justify much lower payout amounts to storm victims.”
| | PENINSULA AND BEYOND | | DECISION — “Biden administration won’t appeal court ruling in Florida immigration case,” by McClatchy D.C.’s Michael Wilner and Miami Herald’s Ana Ceballos: “Immigration activists called on the administration to appeal the ruling, warning that the elimination of the policy could lead to overcrowding at border crossings and risk overwhelming U.S. Border Patrol. DHS officials declined to comment on the decision. But agency statistics show that use of the program has dropped substantially over the past year, down from over 130,000 cases being handled through the program to just 28 in February of this year.” ‘THE STAKES ARE SO HIGH’ — “Florida scoured math textbooks for ‘prohibited topics.’ Next up: Social studies,” by The New York Times’ Sarah Mervosh: “Now, the state is reviewing curriculum in what is perhaps the most contentious subject in education: social studies. In the last few months, as part of the review process, a small army of state experts, teachers, parents and political activists have combed thousands of pages of text — not only evaluating academic content, but also flagging anything that could hint, for instance, at critical race theory.” HOW IT WORKS — “Taxpayer-funded vouchers go mostly to religious schools. ‘Pay for it yourself,’ rabbi says,” by Orlando Sentinel’s Leslie Postal and Annie Martin: “Most Florida students using state vouchers to pay for private school spend their scholarships at religious schools, as their parents select campuses where lessons from the Bible, the Torah and the Quran are taught alongside traditional academics. At two of Central Florida’s Islamic schools, girls must wear hijabs, a head covering worn by some Muslim women, as part of their school uniforms.” — “‘Times have changed’: Palm Beach Atlantic University professor fired after complaint about racial justice unit,” by South Florida Sun-Sentinel’s Angie DiMichele and Shira Moolten — “State board wants closer look at university president contracts, interim presidents’ staying power,” by Florida Politics’ Gabrielle Russon — “FAMU bans TikTok from campus, FSU still undecided. Students react to how it affects them,” by Tallahassee Democrat’s Tarah Jean | | ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN | |
BIRTHDAYS: State Rep. David Smith … Sean Shaw, former state legislator and founder of People Over Profits …
(Saturday) Mizell Stewart III, president and CEO of Emerging Leaders LLC … Step Up for Students' Ron Matus ... former Florida Education Association President Andy Ford … (Sunday) Allison North Jones, director of communications for Florida Justice Association | | | | Follow us on Twitter | | | | Subscribe to the POLITICO Playbook family Playbook | Playbook PM | California Playbook | Florida Playbook | Illinois Playbook | Massachusetts Playbook | New Jersey Playbook | New York Playbook | Ottawa Playbook | Brussels Playbook | London Playbook View all our political and policy newsletters | | Follow us | | | | |
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