| | | | |  | | By Gary Fineout | Hello and welcome to Monday. Countdown — For Republican legislators — and the three GOP members of the Florida Cabinet — decision time is just about here. Limelight — All the signals that Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis will likely enter the presidential race very, very soon are on display. Last week, saw DeSantis detach himself from his state political committee (right after checks went out to several staffers). NBC News reported that his campaign staff is moving into a new location in Tallahassee, which will likely trigger the need to file official paperwork. And he sounded more and more like a candidate during his visit to Iowa and Illinois over the weekend. Working man — DeSantis still has unfinished business from the 2023 session — including deciding what items he wants to veto from the recently adopted $117 billion state budget. It would make sense for the governor to at least clear this piece of legislative business off his to-do list before jumping into the race for president. Show Don’t Tell — Still the looming question becomes who will immediately leap out to back DeSantis — and who will not — in what is sizing up to be donnybrook in the GOP primary between the governor and former President Donald Trump. Trump initially had the upper hand as he picked up support from a majority of the state's congressional delegation. Certain top GOP legislators, however, appear ready to support the governor and it could be seen as an embarrassment if a large number do not throw in with the governor. State Sen. Joe Gruters — the former chair of the Republican Party of Florida, who had an up-and-down relationship with DeSantis — is already backing Trump. Vital signs — The three Republicans to really keep a close eye on, however, are Attorney General Ashley Moody, Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis and Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson since they all are viewed as potential 2026 candidates for governor — and all three were endorsed by Trump in their reelection bids. Grand designs — Simpson and DeSantis have had a somewhat complicated relationship at times although Simpson was with the governor at a bill signing last week. Patronis has a been a cheerleader for DeSantis but when asked twice during session who he would support, he sidestepped the question. Moody has been a staunch ally who has worked hand-in-hand with DeSantis. Freewill — They all could choose not to decide, but of course that would still be a choice … and a telling one indeed if those who work closest with the governor refuse to endorse him. — WHERE'S RON? — Nothing official announced for Gov. DeSantis. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for Playbook? Get in touch: gfineout@politico.com
| | | | DON’T MISS POLITICO’S HEALTH CARE SUMMIT: The Covid-19 pandemic helped spur innovation in health care, from the wide adoption of telemedicine, health apps and online pharmacies to mRNA vaccines. But what will the next health care innovations look like? Join POLITICO on Wednesday June 7 for our Health Care Summit to explore how tech and innovation are transforming care and the challenges ahead for access and delivery in the United States. REGISTER NOW. | | | | | |  | DESANTISLAND | | DILEMMAS — “Trump’s 2020 re-hash puts DeSantis in a bind: Can he bring himself to say Trump lost?” by POLITICO’s Sally Goldenberg: The fundamental problem for Gov. Ron DeSantis — underscored even by blunter messaging from the super PAC supporting him — is that he can’t bring himself to say it. “First question at first debate: Raise your hand if you think Trump won the 2020 election,” said Republican consultant Alex Conant, who worked on Sen. Marco Rubio’s 2016 presidential race and is unaffiliated in the 2024 campaign. “If a candidate can’t dispose of a fake issue like who won the election, how can voters expect them to handle the real issues?” TRAVELS WITH RON — 5 things that went well for DeSantis in Iowa on Saturday, by POLITICO’s Natalie Allison: A tornado watch kept Donald Trump away from his planned rally in Iowa on Saturday — and Ron DeSantis took full advantage, barnstorming the state in the former president’s absence. Though Trump is trouncing DeSantis in national polls, the gap isn’t quite as massive in Iowa. If the Florida governor can convince Iowans he’s the better bet to beat President Joe Biden — and parlay that momentum into strong performances in New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada — the current national polls may not matter much. — Ron — not Don — and an act of God descend on Iowa, by POLITICO’s Natalie Allison and Sally Goldenberg |  Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis takes off an apron after working the grill at a fundraising picnic for U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra, R-Iowa, Saturday, May 13, 2023, in Sioux Center, Iowa. (AP Photo/) | Charlie Neibergall/AP Photo |
ONE ASSESSMENT — “Why Ron DeSantis is limping to the starting line,” by The New York Times’ Shane Goldmacher, Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan: “In six short months from November to May, [Gov. Ron] DeSantis’s 2024 run has faltered before it has even begun. Allies have abandoned him. Tales of his icy interpersonal touch have spread. Donors have groused. And a legislative session in Tallahassee designed to burnish his conservative credentials has instead coincided with a drop in the polls. His decision not to begin any formal campaign until after the Florida legislative session — allowing him to cast himself as a conservative fighter who not only won but actually delivered results — instead opened a window of opportunity for Mr. Trump.”
BUT THEN THIS — “DeSantis impresses in Iowa, showing up an absent Trump,” by The New York Times’ Nicholas Nehamas and Maggie Haberman MOVING DAY — “Ron DeSantis is on the verge of announcing his presidential bid,” by NBC News’ Dasha Burns, Matt Dixon and Jonathan Allen: “On Monday, the Florida governor’s political operation is set to move into its new base of operations, which will trigger disclosure requirements with federal officials. The [Gov. Ron] DeSantis political operation is currently housed in downtown Tallahassee, but staffers are set to make a short move to a new downtown location that will serve as a more official campaign home, according to a source familiar with the campaign’s plans, as well as another person knowledgeable about the move.” — “Signs of a DeSantis presidential bid grow. When will he throw his hat in the ring?” by Miami Herald’s Howard Cohen and Devoun Cetoute — DeSantis takes anti-woke show to Illinois, by POLITICO’s Shia Kapos — “‘Good Samaritan’? Ron DeSantis defense of subway vigilante stokes controversy,” by Florida Politics’ A.G. Gancarski | | TRUMPLANDIA AND THE SWAMP | | DOWNLOAD — “Trump interview hits DeSantis, abortion, news media blitz,” by The Messenger’s Marc Caputo: “As president, [Donald] Trump provided a crucial endorsement for [Ron] DeSantis in his first run for governor in 2018 when the Republican was a little-known congressman running against a better-known and better-funded primary opponent, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam. As a result, Trump has branded DeSantis as disloyal. And worse. ‘He's got no personality. And I don't think he's got a lot of political skill,’ Trump said.” | | Bidenology | | FLORIDA V. USA — DOJ says Biden administration will appeal judge’s rulings on migrants, by POLITICO’s Josh Gerstein and David Cohen: The Biden administration late Friday sought an emergency stay of two orders blocking its migrant parole policy even as it said it will appeal those rulings. “The Solicitor General has authorized an appeal of both orders,” the Justice Department said in its filing in U.S. District Court in the Northern District of Florida. The emergency stay request was in response to an order U.S. District Judge T. Kent Wetherell issued just hours before Title 42 expired Thursday night. That order, issued in a lawsuit by the state of Florida, blocked Biden’s plan to give some asylum seekers paperwork that did not include an immigration court date. | | ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... | | LAST MINUTE CHANGE — “Lawmakers want to temporarily block new fertilizer bans. Will DeSantis allow it?” by Miami Herald’s Nicolas Rivero: “But at the end of this year’s state legislative session, lawmakers slipped a provision into a budget bill that would block local governments from creating new fertilizer bans or modifying existing bans for one year, starting July 1. Existing bans would remain in place. … ‘This was passed without public engagement at the 11th hour in a sort of sneak attack,’ said Rachel Silverstein, who heads the environmental watchdog Miami Waterkeeper. ‘Really the only beneficiary of it is [the fertilizer] industry and not the community and not our waterways.’” MOUSE TRAP — “DeSantis’ call for state to inspect Disney rides doesn’t fly,” by Orlando Sentinel’s Katie Rice: “State officials will not take over Space Mountain or other Disney World ride inspections soon, despite Gov. Ron DeSantis saying it would happen. State lawmakers in the session that ended May 5 did not consider a bill for the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to assume responsibility for Disney World’s ride inspections after DeSantis proposed doing that in mid-April amid his feud with the company over Florida’s so-called “don’t say gay” law. Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson appeared to support the idea at the time, but a spokesman for his office said this week that was not the case. Brian Avery, an independent ride safety consultant, said Disney’s lawsuit against the governor and state filed the following week alleging political retaliation was a likely cause.” — “DeSantis gets millions in taxpayer money to fight lawsuits over hard-right policies,” by USA Today Network-Florida’s John Kennedy — “Blockchain blocked: Gov. DeSantis signs bill to ban central bank digital currencies,” by Florida Politics’ Gray Rohrer
| | | | GET READY FOR GLOBAL TECH DAY: Join POLITICO Live as we launch our first Global Tech Day alongside London Tech Week on Thursday, June 15. Register now for continuing updates and to be a part of this momentous and program-packed day! From the blockchain, to AI, and autonomous vehicles, technology is changing how power is exercised around the world, so who will write the rules? REGISTER HERE. | | | | | | | CORONAVIRUS UPDATES | | DEAR DOCTOR — “Joseph Ladapo says anti-vaccine crusade was God’s plan. It cost him his peers’ trust,” by South Florida Sun-Sentinel’s Cindy Krischer Goodman and Orlando Sentinel’s Caroline Catherman: “[Dr. Joseph Ladopo’s] evolution placed him in a position of power that peers say came at the cost of the respect of many in the academic and medical communities. He now takes home a salary of about a half-million dollars annually, including what he earns from [University of Florida] where he works as a professor in addition to his income as the state’s surgeon general. Ladapo’s contract with UF requires him to spend 80% of his time in research and 20% of his time teaching at the school. But records show Ladapo has presented only two guest lectures, and official calendars reveal limited evidence of other work at UF during his 20-month tenure.” | | CAMPAIGN MODE | | A THIRD CANDIDATE FROM FLORIDA? — Miami’s mayor mulls a White House run, by POLITICO’s Brakkton Booker: When we asked him about Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis and why his as-yet-unannounced presidential campaign appears to be struggling, [Miami Mayor Francis] Suarez redirected the conversation to deliver some news. “I’m not here to be a political commentator,” Suarez interjected. “I’m here, because I’m a Hispanic mayor, a Republican, who was considering running for president.” |  Miami Mayor Francis Suarez speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference, CPAC 2023, Friday, March 3, 2023, at National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Md. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) | AP |
THE CANDIDATES — “Profiles in leadership: How Daniel Davis and Donna Deegan would lead as Jacksonville mayor,” by Florida Times-Union’s David Bauerlein: “Those who have worked closely with Daniel Davis and Donna Deegan — locked in a razor-thin runoff election for mayor that will be decided Tuesday — say the way they've led JAX Chamber and The Donna Foundation will carry over to City Hall for whoever wins.”
| | PENINSULA AND BEYOND | | ‘A CHILD DIED’ — “Senator Rick Scott tours shelter where unaccompanied migrant teen lived before his death,” by WFTS’ Erik Waxler: “Senator Rick Scott says he and Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna saw what it's like inside this Safety Harbor shelter for unaccompanied migrant children. Scott said the kids staying here appear to be well taken care of. ‘I didn't see anything that would lead you to believe anything has ever gone wrong in that facility. But a child died,’ said Senator Scott. That child was a 17-year-old unaccompanied boy from Honduras. Officials say he died Wednesday after being found unconscious and taken to a hospital.” ‘KNOW ONLY ONE SIDE’ — “‘Teach the truth.’ Teachers angry over Florida deleting race, social justice from textbooks,” by Miami Herald’s Sommer Brugal: “Eliminating references in some Florida social-studies textbooks about social justice and the death of George Floyd has teachers concerned the state is doing a disservice to students, who — in learning about such issues — can understand history in real-time lessons that they can relate to. ‘We’re taking away [students’] ability to think critically and to know there are many sides to an issue,’ said Mayade Ersoff, who teaches sixth-grade U.S. history and eighth-grade world history at Palmetto Middle School in Pinecrest. ‘They’re going to know only one side of an issue, [and] that’s not reality.’” — “Florida teacher investigated by state agency for showing Disney movie in class,” by Tallahassee Democrat’s Ana Goñi-Lessan — “Extra protection or security theater? South Florida school districts implement big safety measures,” by South Florida Sun-Sentinel’s Scott Travis — “Miami Gardens has changed so much in its 20 years. It’s about to change even more,” by Miami Herald’s Raisa Habersham — “Worrell’s office seeks death penalty for Pine Hills shooting spree suspect Keith Moses,” by Orlando Sentinel’s Christopher Cann — “Brevard school board likely to ban furry attire in updated dress code,” by Florida Today’s Finch Walker | | ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN | | — “He likes to be, under the sea: Florida man sets record for living underwater,” by The Associated Press: “A university professor broke a record for the longest time living underwater without depressurization this weekend at a Florida Keys lodge for scuba divers. Joseph Dituri’s 74th day residing in Jules’ Undersea Lodge, situated at the bottom of a 30-foot-deep lagoon in Key Largo, wasn’t much different than his previous days there since he submerged March 1. Dituri, who also goes by the moniker 'Dr. Deep Sea,' ate a protein-heavy meal of eggs and salmon prepared using a microwave, exercised with resistance bands, did his daily pushups and took an hour-long nap. Unlike a submarine, the lodge does not use technology to adjust for the increased underwater pressure.” BIRTHDAYS: Charles Lee, director of advocacy Audubon Florida | | | | 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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