| | | | |  | | By Gary Fineout | Hello and welcome to Thursday. We really mean it — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis will make his entry into the presidential race officially official next week, according to the latest update provided by the Wall Street Journal’s Alex Leary (a one-time Florida man). Trust the process — The most recent thinking is that DeSantis’ team will file the paperwork at that time but that the more public pronouncement — oh, oh where could it be? — will come shortly afterwards. Waiting in the ring — Of course, the official-official entry will accelerate the dustup between DeSantis and his one-time ally former President Donald Trump. So far the digs have centered on policy positions and Trump’s zingers at DeSantis over loyalty. Both sides — But now there’s the whole "who’s winning the endorsement" game. Earlier this week, there was a confusing back-and-forth about who was endorsing who in New Hampshire and whether some supporters of DeSantis had switched from Trump and then back again. For your consideration — On Wednesday, the pro-DeSantis super PAC Never Back Down released a list of 99 Florida legislators who are backing the governor for president. The lengthy roster includes top legislators in both the House and Senate, including those lined up to become House speaker and Senate president after the 2024 elections. Why now? — But the timing is telling here since the endorsements are coming before DeSantis has gotten the $117 billion budget, meaning that the governor could — and let’s emphasize could — use his line-item veto pen to slash budget items of the 14 Republicans who opted to stay on the sidelines. (Only one — state Sen. Joe Gruters — has made it clear so far that he’s definitely backing Trump.) Response — Trump’s team, however, went further and put out a provocative statement from campaign spokesman Steven Cheung that “DeSantis and his political cronies have continued to terrorize the Florida Legislature with the threat of his veto pen if they don’t acquiesce to his demand to endorse his candidacy.” Cheung contended that Trump’s endorsements from most of the Florida Republicans in Congress was because DeSantis “can’t control” them. — 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 | | MAKING IT OFFICIAL — “Ron DeSantis set to launch 2024 presidential bid next week,” by Wall Street Journal’s Alex Leary: "Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis will officially enter the race for president next week as his campaign donors begin a fundraising blitz, people familiar with the decision said. DeSantis’s intentions have been clear for months, but the decision to file formal paperwork with the Federal Election Commission declaring his candidacy, corresponding with the donor meeting in Miami on May 25, begins a new phase in his quest for the GOP nomination and puts him in direct competition with former President Donald Trump and a handful of other candidates." HAPPENING TODAY — Ahead of his formal entry into the race, DeSantis is scheduled to be a "special guest" on a Thursday conference call with supporters and donors to Never Back Down, the super PAC that is supporting him. WORDS AND PHRASES — “Team DeSantis throws shade at Trump following endorsements from 99 Florida lawmakers: ‘Almost universal,’” by Fox News’ Brandon Gillespie: “Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' political team threw some subtle shade at former President Donald Trump on Wednesday following the rising Republican star and likely presidential candidate receiving the endorsement of 99 lawmakers in the Florida state legislature. ‘Ron DeSantis' support among Republicans in the Florida legislature is almost universal because these lawmakers have partnered with the governor to pass the most robust conservative agenda in the history of the state, putting Florida at the top of the rankings on every key metric,’ a top DeSantis political operation official told Fox News Digital. The official's use of the phrase ‘almost universal’ was a clear reference to Trump's statement in April that his ‘support is almost universal in Florida’ after he received endorsements from nearly half of Florida's Republican congressional delegation.” ALL IN ON IOWA — “Inside DeSantis’ plan to outwork Trump in Iowa,” by The Messenger’s Marc Caputo: “Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis views Iowa as such a make-or-break state for his presidential bid that he’s considering a plan to campaign across all 99 of its counties, insiders familiar with his thinking tell The Messenger. As the first presidential contest, the Iowa caucuses play a pivotal — and unpredictable — role in presidential nominations, but they take on outsized importance in 2024. Former President Donald Trump is ahead in the polls with a double-digit lead over DeSantis, who in turn is well ahead of a handful of third-tier candidates. So if DeSantis loses Iowa, it could give Trump an aura of inevitability and a sense of momentum that leads to a cascade of victories that make him the de facto nominee.” |  Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis talks with reporters after speaking at a fundraising picnic for U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra, R-Iowa, Saturday, May 13, 2023, in Sioux Center, Iowa. | Charlie Neibergall/AP Photo |
— “Republicans see narrow path for DeSantis through early primary states: ‘Iowa is crucial,’” by McClatchy D.C.’s Michael Wilner and Alex Roarty:
— “Rick Scott on Disney-DeSantis feud: ‘Cooler heads have to prevail,’” by The Hill’s Stephen Neukam | | TOP TALKERS | | TO COURT — “Penguin Random House, others sue Florida school district over book bans,” by POLITICO’s Andrew Atterbury: A group of a free-speech organizations, parents, authors, and the publisher Penguin Random House on Wednesday sued school leaders in Escambia County claiming that they have been too harsh in removing and restricting books from public school libraries. The federal lawsuit, filed in Pensacola, targets how the West Florida school district is carrying out policies crafted by Republican lawmakers and the DeSantis administration — specifically how parents and others can raise objections about potentially inappropriate books. — “2 Holocaust textbooks rejected by Florida Department of Education,” by Treasure Coast Newspapers’ Cheryl McCloud | | CAMPAIGN MODE | | AFTERMATH — Florida Democrats think the unthinkable: We’re in play, by POLITICO’s Gary Fineout: “This solidifies we are not off the map,” said Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried. “Everybody is really excited. They feel that this is a great signal and that there is something to invest in Florida.” State Sen. Shevrin Jones, who is on Biden’s National Advisory Board, said that Deegan’s win “not only puts Florida in play but lets donors know Florida has never really been red.” The big question, however, is whether Deegan’s win in Jacksonville is an outlier or a sign of things to come in a state that just six months ago saw Republicans crush Democrats up and down the ballot. DeSantis himself recently boasted that last year’s defeats had left Democrats a “dead carcass on the side of the road.” | 
Donna Deegan is assisted through the crowd of supporters after winning the election for Mayor Tuesday, May 16, 2023 in Jacksonville, Fla. | Bob Self/The Florida Times-Union via AP |
— “What does Donna Deegan’s win in Jacksonville mayoral race mean for Florida Democrats?” by Florida Times-Union’s David Bauerlein
— “Democrats fired up about victory in Jacksonville mayor race,” by Orlando Sentinel’s Jeffrey Schweers and Mark Skoneki — “Nikki Fried claims Jax voters rejected Ron DeSantis’ ‘radicalization’ of GOP,” by Florida Politics’ A.G. Gancarski — “Losses for two candidates backed by DeSantis hurts ability to portray himself as a winner,” by Sarasota Herald-Tribune’s Zac Anderson STARTING LINE — “Barbara Sharief assembles large group of prominent supporters for second Florida Senate campaign,” by South Florida Sun-Sentinel’s Anthony Man: "Barbara Sharief, who unsuccessfully attempted to oust state Sen. Lauren Book last year, has assembled a wide-ranging list of supporters for her 2024 campaign — including some people who sided with Book or other past election opponents. The 20 elected officials Sharief’s campaign said Wednesday are supporters include two countywide elected officials, four county commissioners, four city mayors and 10 city commissioners, plus five former elected officials and a roster of prominent political fundraisers, lobbyists and political activists."
| | | | 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. | | | | | | | ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... | | THE AGENDA — DeSantis enacts a wave of laws targeting gender-affirming care, pronouns in schools, by POLITICO’s Andrew Atterbury: Gov. Ron DeSantis put the final stamp on several of the more contentious proposals of Florida’s legislative session Wednesday by signing into law a ban on transgender minors receiving gender-affirming care and expansions to state’s parental rights rules panned by critics as “Don’t Say Gay.” In one swoop, DeSantis enacted these bills and other GOP priorities that were sought by the presumptive presidential candidate like making it a criminal offense for someone to use certain bathrooms that don’t align with their sex at birth and blocking children from attending adult-themed drag shows. — “DeSantis signs tall stack of right-wing bills as 2024 entrance nears,” by The New York Times’ Nicholas Nehamas and Patricia Mazzei — Ron DeSantis’ ban of school diversity programs is coming to these states next, by POLITICO’s Bianca Quilantan — “Gov. DeSantis signs measure revamping high school sports,” by Florida Politics’ Anne Geggis | | DATELINE D.C. | | THE RUBIO REPORT — “Senate GOP Covid origins probe finds circumstantial evidence but no ‘smoking gun’ to support lab break theory,” by CNN’s Zachary Cohen: “A Republican-led investigation into the origins of Covid-19 has unearthed additional, though circumstantial, evidence supporting the theory that the virus likely escaped from a lab in Wuhan, China, but it did not find any “smoking gun” evidence to prove the theory, according to a new report released on Wednesday. Sen. Marco Rubio, the top Republican on the Senate Intelligence Committee, initiated a probe into the origins of Covid-19 nearly two years ago and the report released Wednesday by his office argues that new information discovered by congressional investigators adds to the credibility of what is known as the ‘lab leak theory.’” CALIFORNIA V. FLORIDA — “GOP lawmaker introduces resolution to expel Adam Schiff from Congress,” by New York Post’s Victor Nava: “Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) on Wednesday unveiled a bill that seeks to remove Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) from Congress over his claims of collusion between former President Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign and Russia. ‘Knowingly using your position on House Intel to push a lie that ripped apart our country, cost taxpayers millions of dollars, and authorized spying on a US President and then proceeding to double down on the lie within days of the Durham report coming out makes you unfit for office,’ Luna wrote in a tweet on Wednesday. ‘Ethics should investigate.’ The freshman congresswoman included a photo of the resolution in her tweet.” — “Rick Scott introducing legislation to require parental consent for kids’ AI use,” by The Hill’s Olafimihan Oshin — “House Dems call for probe into DeSantis’ use of Florida police force,” by Axios’ Jacob Knutson
| | TRUMPLANDIA AND THE SWAMP | | CHIMING IN — Trump hits DeSantis after governor’s 2 endorsed candidates lose, by POLITICO’s Kierra Frazier: Former President Donald Trump is going after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis after the governor’s two endorsed candidates lost in Tuesday’s GOP primary. “[Daniel Cameron] had my Complete and Total Endorsement. The DeSanctimonious backed candidate came in a DISTANT third. Ron’s magic is GONE! He also lost, shockingly, in Jacksonville last night (Mayor),” Trump said in a Truth Social post Wednesday. — Trump lawyer in classified documents probe resigns, by POLITICO’s Betsy Woodruff Swan and Kyle Cheney — “Trump’s legal strategy: Question judicial system as investigations mount,” by The Messenger’s Darren Samuelsohn, Maggie Severns and Steve Reilly | | PENINSULA AND BEYOND | | HMM — “Lawsuit against developer reveals undisclosed side job for Miami Mayor Francis Suarez,” by Miami Herald’s Joey Flechas and Jay Weaver: “When Miami Mayor Francis Suarez shoveled dirt in January at a Coconut Grove groundbreaking ceremony for new luxury condos, he wasn’t just a mayor promoting growth in his city — he was a paid consultant for the developer building the project. Suarez quietly worked for a Coconut Grove developer for at least eight months from August 2022 through March 2023, earning a minimum of $80,000 for a previously undisclosed consulting side job, according to a former real estate executive who is suing his ex-employer.” RESPONSE — “Florida a ‘dangerous and hostile environment,’ Hispanic organization says in travel warning,” by USA Today Network-Florida Douglas Soule: “The League of United Latin American Citizens, the nation's largest and oldest Hispanic organization, has issued a Florida travel advisory and is threatening litigation against the state. ‘We believe that Florida has committed several very cruel, immoral and unjust uses of immigrants as political piñatas for the purposes of basically just getting votes,’ said Domingo Garcia, LULAC's national president, at a Wednesday afternoon press conference. ‘Florida is a dangerous, hostile environment for law-abiding Americans and immigrants.’ ” — “FACT FOCUS: Videos of empty store aisles are unrelated to Florida’s immigration bill,” by The Associated Press’ Karena Phan — “USF football on-campus stadium finally has a budget and debt plan,” by Tampa Bay Times’ Matt Baker — “5 plead guilty in fake nursing diploma scheme in Florida,” by The Associated Press — “Escambia school board terminates Superintendent Tim Smith in surprise vote,” by Penascola News Journal’s Brittany Misencik | | ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN | |
— “North Miami Beach commissioner ousted after missing meetings for 120 days,” by Miami Herald’s Raisa Habersham: “North Miami Beach commissioners voted to remove their colleague Michael Joseph from his seat after he failed to attend commission meetings for more than 120 days in violation of the city charter. ‘It’s not a great day, it’s nothing nice to do. It’s very unfortunate,’ Mayor Anthony DeFillipo said during the Tuesday hearing that lasted more than four hours. The commission voted 3-1 to oust Joseph, with Commissioner Daniela Jean as the sole no vote. Joseph did not attend the meeting because of illness.”
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