| | | | |  | | By Gary Fineout | Hello and welcome to Thursday. Another one — It may be a tad quixotic, but Miami Mayor Francis Suarez has jumped into the race for president. The Republican filed his federal paperwork on Wednesday and is expected to make his case for his candidacy during an evening speech at the Ronald Reagan Library in California. The pitch — Suarez’s entry was accompanied by a slick new two-minute video put together by a super PAC backing him. In a bit of a departure from other Republicans, the video dealt almost entirely with crime and led with an assertion that Suarez has a tough-on-crime posture that is in contrast with President Joe Biden. (Expect that talking point to get a bit of scrutiny … there was a 2021 mess over the Miami police chief Suarez hired with great fanfare then pushed out a few months later.) Growing the party — The 45-year-old Suarez becomes the third Floridian behind former President Donald Trump and Gov. Ron DeSantis now in the race. He also becomes the first Hispanic candidate in the race and back in May told POLITICO that “I think I can grow the tent — not for an election, but for a generation. I think it matters who is the communicator of ideas and how they communicate those ideas. You can look at my history and know that I’m someone who’s a unifier. You can look at my history and see that I’m someone who appreciates the nuances in a variety of different Hispanic cultures.” Point — Amalia Daché, an associate professor at the University of Pennsylvania who studies the complexities of the role race plays in Cuban culture, told POLITICO said there’s something “different” in Suarez from previous Cuban-American presidential candidates Sens. Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz. Assessment — “When I see him, I don’t see Marco Rubio and I don’t see Ted Cruz,” said Daché, who was born in Cuba and is a Democrat. “I see a brown man ... It’s a little different for me, seeing him and understanding what he represents and possibly what this would mean for his ancestors.” Counterpoint — But obviously there are those who have a much, much different view of Suarez. It certainly doesn't help that multiple media accounts touch on an ongoing FBI investigation into a developer who had hired the mayor. GOP Rep. Carlos Gimenez, former mayor of the much-larger Miami-Dade County who backs Trump, laced into Suarez on Fox News by calling Suarez a “complete fraud” by noting that Suarez did not support Trump in 2016 or 2020. Billy Corben, a Miami filmmaker whose caustic criticism of Suarez is a regular feature on a podcast hosted by Dan Le Batard, echoed Gimenez by saying “he brings Republicans and Democrats together to say he is a fraud and a con man.” Ouch. — WHERE'S RON? — Gov. Ron DeSantis will be in Fort Pierce where he is expected to sign a new state budget into law. 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. | | | | | |  | DRIVING THE DAY | |
HE’S IN — “Miami GOP Mayor Francis Suarez jumps into presidential race,” by POLITICO’s Gary Fineout and Brakkton Booker: Miami Mayor Francis Suarez is joining the crowded Republican field for president, becoming the first Hispanic in the race who also contends he can broaden the appeal for Republicans nationally — especially to Hispanics. Suarez, 45, filed official federal paperwork on Wednesday, just one day after Donald Trump’s arraignment in downtown Miami on charges that the former president hoarded classified documents at his estate in Palm Beach County.
— “Francis Suarez, Miami’s Republican mayor, files to run for president in GOP primary,” by Miami Herald’s Joey Flechas and Douglas Hanks — Super PAC supporting Miami’s Suarez releases video ahead of his potential 2024 bid, by POLITICO’s Gary Fineout — “Francis Suarez, Miami mayor, files for a Republican presidential run,” by The New York Times’ Maggie Astor and Patricia Mazzei | 
Miami Mayor Francis Suarez speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference, CPAC 2023, Friday, March 3, 2023, at National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Md. | Alex Brandon/AP Photo |
| | TRUMPLANDIA AND THE SWAMP | |
AS THE PAGES TURN — “Trump rejected lawyers’ efforts to avoid classified documents indictment,” by The Washington Post’s Josh Dawsey and Jacqueline Alemany: “The attorney, Christopher Kise, wanted to quietly approach Justice to see if he could negotiate a settlement that would preclude charges, hoping Attorney General Merrick Garland and the department would want an exit ramp to avoid prosecuting a former president. Kise would hopefully “take the temperature down,” he told others, by promising a professional approach and the return of all documents. But Trump was not interested after listening to other lawyers who urged a more pugilistic approach, so Kise never approached prosecutors, three people briefed on the matter said. A special counsel was appointed months later.”
THE PROCESS — “Trump’s arraignment took 45 minutes, but the path to Florida trial may take a couple years,” by Miami Herald’s Jay Weaver: “Donald Trump’s arraignment took only 45 minutes on Tuesday in Miami federal court, where the former president sat silently the entire time, but it’s likely to be more than a year before his historic classified documents case goes to trial — even possibly beyond the November 2024 presidential election. Trump, 77, who pleaded not guilty through his lawyers, is entitled to a ‘speedy’ trial within 70 days of being formally charged with deliberately withholding national security records from the U.S. government. But speed won’t be the operative word to describe the path forward to his trial, legal experts said, regardless of the Southern District of Florida’s reputation for having a ‘rocket docket’ in which judges typically move criminal cases quickly.” DILEMMA — “How to hold a public trial when the key evidence is classified,” by POLITICO’s Betsy Woodruff Swan and Erica Orden: “If the new criminal case against former President Donald Trump goes to trial, America’s enemies will be watching. That’s because the charges he faces hinge on documents that allegedly contain some of the nation’s most sensitive secrets. And while the U.S. intelligence community wants its secrets to stay secret, the Sixth Amendment guarantees the right to a public trial.” CARELESS WHISPER — “Republicans privately acknowledge Trump’s legal woes are serious this time,” by NBC News’ Allan Smith, Katherine Doyle, Matt Dixon and Natasha Korecki: “An operative in Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ orbit, who requested anonymity to speak candidly without approval from higher-ups, said that “from an objective standpoint,” the federal charges Trump faces for his post-presidency handling of classified documents are far more serious than the earlier ones around hush money payments before the 2016 election. ‘I don’t know what’s going to happen in Georgia,’ this person said, referring to the investigation into possible election interference by Trump and his allies. ‘But the man is going to prison. It’s happening. So at this point, where we are is ‘Who’s going to be the nominee?’” — “G.O.P. rivals see Trump’s indictment as a big problem (for them),” by The New York Times’ Jonathan Swan and Jonathan Weisman — “‘I was hitting the hornet’s nest’: Jailbird protester tells why he blocked Trump’s motorcade,” by Orlando Sentinel’s Susannah Bryan — “Judge in Trump documents case has scant criminal trial experience,” by The New York Times’ Michael S. Schmidt and Charlie Savage — Hutchinson: I won’t vote for Trump if he is convicted, by POLITICO’s Zach Montellaro — Trump raised $2 million hours after arraignment, by POLITICO’s Meridith McGraw — “They are Trump’s aides and lawyers. Now they could be trial witnesses,” by The New York Times’ Alan Feuer, Maggie Haberman and Glenn Thrush | | | | SUBSCRIBE TO POWER SWITCH: The energy landscape is profoundly transforming. Power Switch is a daily newsletter that unlocks the most important stories driving the energy sector and the political forces shaping critical decisions about your energy future, from production to storage, distribution to consumption. Don’t miss out on Power Switch, your guide to the politics of energy transformation in America and around the world. SUBSCRIBE TODAY. | | | | | | | DESANTISLAND | |
COMPARE AND CONTRAST — “DeSantis’ hard right primary strategy could undercut electability argument,” by Sarasota Herald-Tribune’s Zac Anderson: “After months of avoiding direct confrontation with Trump, DeSantis has become more aggressive as an official candidate and regularly draws contrasts between the two leading GOP presidential contenders. Yet so far those shots have focused almost entirely on Trump’s policies, not his considerable personal baggage and legal issues. It’s a stance DeSantis has maintained as Trump’s legal jeopardy continues to grow.”
|  Republican presidential candidate Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks during a campaign event on May 31, 2023, in Salix, Iowa. | Charlie Neibergall/AP Photo |
THE AGENDA — “As Trump faces indictment, DeSantis vows to ‘tear down’ and rebuild DOJ,” by Orlando Sentinel’s Skyler Swisher: DeSantis has mostly kept a low profile this week and steered clear of Trump’s legal problems, focusing on what he considers the “weaponization” of federal law enforcement agencies for political purposes. DeSantis’ campaign released a plan for reforming the FBI and DOJ, which was first reported by RealClearPolitics. DeSantis wants to move the FBI’s headquarters out of Washington, D.C., fire ‘corrupt’ federal personnel, go after ‘progressive prosecutors’ and revoke the security clearances of more than 50 former senior intelligence officials, his campaign tweeted.
— “DeSantis campaign’s use of fake images against Trump part of AI ‘arms race,’” by Tampa Bay Times’ Josh Archote | | ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... | |
‘I KNOW WHERE IT’S LOCATED’ — “Passidomo says maps, details lacking in proposed Southwest Florida land buy, by POLITICO’s Bruce Ritchie: A Florida conservation land deal worth possibly more than $400 million in the proposed state budget still is evolving with a project map and other details unavailable, Senate President Kathleen Passidomo said this week. The proposed 2023-24 state budget, which has not yet been sent to Gov. Ron DeSantis, includes $850 million for conserving wildlife habitat, including thousands of acres in southwest Florida. Passidomo, who in March requested $426 million in the state budget for more than 70,000 acres in Hendry and Collier counties, told POLITICO on Tuesday there isn't a map yet of the Southwest Florida portion. "I know where it's located," Passidomo said. "It's pretty much a big swath of land. But I don't have a complete map and we won't actually have it until we get to the landowners and say, where do you want to sell to us?"
— “Kevin Steele backs ex-rival Jennifer Canady for House Speaker,” by Florida Politics’ Jacob Ogles — “‘GRU Takeover’ bill reaches Gov. Ron DeSantis’ desk, awaits signature,” by The Gainesville Sun’s Nora O’Neill | | DATELINE D.C. | |
BOXSCORE TIME — “Republicans wins congressional baseball game,” by NOLA.com’s Mark Ballard: “Republican congresspersons took their third win in a row Wednesday night in the annual Congressional Baseball Game for Charity…. Rep. Greg Steube, R-Florida and a 45-year-old U.S. Army veteran had pitched a tight game until the 5th inning when he gave up back-to-back-to-back hits to the Democrats, who scored three runs. Steube was moved to third base and replaced on the mound by Texas Republican Rep. August Pfluger, a 45-year-old Air Force veteran and Eagle Scout who played high school football in San Angelo, Texas.”
— “Jared Moskowitz files bills to ban ‘ghost gun’ blueprints, study school shooter drills,” by Florida Politics’ Jesse Scheckner — “Florida’s Democratic Senate leader in D.C. discussing abortion access,” by WFLA’s Wendi Grossman — “Pete Buttigieg says Ron DeSantis won’t return his calls,” by Florida Politics’ Jacob Ogles | | PENINSULA AND BEYOND | |
HMM — “Florida lawmaker sponsored ‘radioactive roads’ bill. Mosaic threw him a fundraiser,” by Tampa Bay Times’ Max Chesnes: Tampa-based Fortune 500 fertilizer company Mosaic last month hosted and paid nearly $25,000 for a fundraising event for the state lawmaker who sponsored the controversial “radioactive roads” bill recently approved by the Florida legislature. Campaign finance records show Conservative Florida — the political committee of Rep. Lawrence McClure, R-Plant City — reported an in-kind contribution for “food, lodging and entertainment” from Mosaic on May 22. A Mosaic spokesperson said the event was held that day at Streamsong Resort, a prestigious golf getaway on former phosphate mining land near the Hardee-Polk county border, which the company sold earlier this year but still uses for events.”
STILL SCHEDULED — “U.S. Supreme Court justice denies Duane Owen’s appeal to halt his execution,” by News Service of Florida’s Jim Saunders: “A U.S. Supreme Court justice Wednesday denied Palm Beach County killer Duane Owen's appeal to halt his execution, scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday. Owen is set to be executed for the 1984 bludgeoning death of Georgianna Worden at her Boca Raton home. Worden was a 38-year-old executive secretary and mother of two. Owen killed her while her children slept nearby. He also received the death penalty in the stabbing death of 14-year-old Karen Slattery, whom he had killed two months earlier while she babysat two children in Delray Beach.” — “Florida doctor involved in death row case criticized execution vigil,” by Tampa Bay Times’ Romy Ellenbogen and Dan Sullivan: ‘THEY WANT US TO BE WORN OUT’ — “‘Seems like bullying to me’: Investors took over their condo boards. Costs skyrocketed,” by Miami Herald’s Aaron Leibowitz: “Daniel Fiorda moved out of his 800-square-foot condo in Miami Beach last month, more than two decades after he bought it. He didn’t want to leave his canal-front slice of paradise. But after a real estate firm purchased six of his building’s 10 units, took control of the board and increased maintenance fees by more than four times — a jump for Fiorda from about $550 to $2,280 a month — he and his wife, Laura Ines Cobos, were in a bind.” — “He threatened U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert online. How a South Florida man fared in court,” by Palm Beach Post’s Julius Whigham II: — “Hundreds of lakes and wetlands have rebounded since Tampa Bay Water was formed 25 years ago,” by WUSF’s Jessica Meszaros — “TEA report: Magic Kingdom tops theme park attendance list for 2022,” by Orlando Sentinel’s Dewayne Bevil — “Deegan’s top team puts more women in power than any previous administration,” by Florida Times-Union’s Nate Monroe | | ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN | |
WEEKEND WEDDING — AnnMarie Graham, comms director for Rep. Brian Mast (R-Fla.), and Zach Barnes, legislative director for Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.), got married Saturday at the InterContinental at the Wharf. They met walking in a Memorial Day parade for Rep. Brad Wenstrup (R-Ohio) while campaigning for the Ohio Republican Party during the 2016 cycle. Pic by Margaret Wroblewski Photography BIRTHDAYS: State Rep. Traci Koster … Former NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine | | | | 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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