News: Department of Justice jumps into FL voting case

Wednesday, July 12, 2023

Department of Justice jumps into FL voting case

Jul 12, 2023

Hello and welcome to Wednesday.

Another one — The Biden administration is weighing into yet another legal fight against the state of Florida underway in federal court.

If it pleases the court — The Department of Justice this week filed a “statement of interest” regarding a lawsuit challenging a voter registration provision that requires some people to physically sign their name with a pen, aka the “wet signature” requirement.

The lineup — The lawsuit was filed in March against Secretary of State Cord Byrd and the state’s election supervisors by the voting advocacy group Vote.org, as well as the Florida state branch of the NAACP and two other organizations. The groups are being represented by lawyers from the Elias Law Group, a firm aligned with Democrats. The case is being presided over U.S. District Judge Allen Winsor, an appointee of former President Donald Trump.

Vs. the RNC and others — The DOJ brief entered into the court record took aim at a motion to dismiss the lawsuit filed by the supervisors as well as the Republican National Committee, which has intervened in the case to defend the state law. The RNC has called the signature requirement a way to deter and detect fraud while also noting that most people get around the requirement because they register when they get a drivers’ license.

Back and forth — Lawyers for the Justice Department tried to undercut several arguments made by the RNC and local election supervisors, including whether private groups have the standing to question if a state law violates federal civil rights and voting laws. Another point of contention: Whether those suing the state must show a pattern of intentional racial discrimination.

A trend? — This marks the second time in the past few weeks that the Biden administration has chimed in on lawsuits challenging Florida laws. Late last month the DOJ contended that a new law that restricts some Chinese citizens from owning property in Florida violates federal law and the U.S. Constitution. Florida — under Gov. Ron DeSantis and Attorney General Ashley Moody — has filed multiple legal actions over the last two-plus years against the Biden administration.

— WHERE'S RON? — Gov. DeSantis is scheduled to attend a presidential campaign fundraiser in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for Playbook? Get in touch: gfineout@politico.com

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

HMM — “Murdochs start to sour on DeSantis: ‘They can smell a loser,’” by Rolling Stone’s Diana Falzone, Asawin Suebsaeng and Adam Rawnsley: “Rupert Murdoch’s complaints lately have, three of the sources recount, centered on how he feels DeSantis often seems too awkward in his public presentation and in his attempts to connect with the American voter. Murdoch has also noted DeSantis 2024’s recent failures to chip away at Trump’s stubborn dominance in the polls, despite the pre-campaign-launch hype about how things would significantly change right after DeSantis’ declaration. After months of high-quality polling, the twice-indicted former president continues to consistently hold gaping leads on DeSantis, his top 2024 Republican rival.”

And there’s more — “DeSantis confronts a Murdoch empire no longer quite so supportive,” by The New York Times’ Nicholas Nehamas and Maggie Haberman

Rupert Murdoch stands behind a microphone, American flags behind him.

Rupert Murdoch introduces Secretary of State Mike Pompeo during the Herman Kahn Award Gala, Oct. 30, 2019, in New York. | Mary Altaffer/AP Photo

THE MONEY GO-ROUND — “DeSantis’ striking, risky strategy: Not trying to trick small donors,” by The New York Times’ Nicholas Nehamas, Rebecca Davis O’Brien and Shane Goldmacher: “No phony deadlines, Mr. DeSantis has promised donors. No wildly implausible pledges that sizable contributions will be matched by committees affiliated with the campaign. And no tricking donors into recurring donations. This strategy is one of the subtle ways Mr. DeSantis’s team is trying to contrast him with Mr. Trump, who has often cajoled, guilt-tripped and occasionally misled small donors. Although his campaign has not directly called out Mr. Trump’s methods, on the day Mr. DeSantis declared he would run for president, his website prominently vowed to eschew ‘smoke and mirrors,’ ‘fake matches’ and ‘lies’ in its fund-raising.”

— “‘All-time low’: Ron DeSantis down by 39 points in GOP nomination chase,” by Florida Politics’ A.G. Gancarski

— “DeSantis to meet donors in New York’s Southampton next week to pitch campaign’s ‘long game’ against Trump,” by Fox News’ Danielle Wallace and Charlie Gasparino

TRUMPLANDIA AND THE SWAMP

‘I JUST KNOW I’M NOT GOING TO VOTE FOR HIM’ — ‘5 laps ahead’: Trump thumbs his nose at Iowa traditions, by POLITICO’s Natalie Allison: He’s threatening to skip the primary debates. He’s publicly trashing the Republican governor of Iowa, infuriating traditional GOP operatives in the first-in-the-nation caucus state. And on Friday, for the second time in two months, Donald Trump will duck a major cattle call of GOP primary contenders there. If it’s the prerogative of the frontrunner to pick and choose his spots, the former president is taking it to a new level, thumbing his nose at any institution or Republican politician he prefers not to court or appear alongside.

— DOJ: Trump’s comments about E. Jean Carroll while president weren’t “job-related,” by POLITICO’s Erica Orden and Josh Gerstein

UNLEASH THE FUTURE OF HEALTHCARE WITH POLITICO, A 7/20 INTERACTIVE EVENT: Imagine a future where rare genetic diseases are not only treatable, but potentially curable. Where our approach to chronic illness takes a monumental leap forward. That future is already taking shape in the form of next-generation health care treatments such as gene therapy. Join POLITICO on Thursday, July 20 and delve into the burgeoning field of gene therapies, which hold the power to redefine our health care landscape. Are you ready to explore this new frontier in health care? Don't miss this chance to be part of the conversation. REGISTER NOW.

... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ...

MOVING OUT — A big name insurer flees Florida, prompting more criticism toward GOP, by POLITICO’s Gary Fineout: While Farmers is not a major presence in the homeowners market, the firm’s name is still extremely well known across the state. Its decision to leave Florida reverberated quickly and creates a political headache for Gov. Ron DeSantis and other Republicans who have had tried in the past two years to stabilize the insurance market with limited success.

Reaction — Another Democrat, state Sen. Jason Pizzo (D-Miami), in a not-so-veiled shot at DeSantis, said “while campaigning on woke, Florida’s leadership has been asleep.” Democrats have routinely complained that Republicans during the past legislative session were more interested in pushing forward DeSantis' legislative priorities designed to aid his presidential campaign instead of focusing more on the state's affordability crisis.

Response — Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, meanwhile, lashed out at Farmers and pledged a “deeper dive” by regulators into the conduct of the company that could eventually lead to an in-depth investigation and even fines. He called their abrupt departure “ham handed” and predicted Farmers officials would be “hauled before the Legislature.”

‘NO MEANINGFUL OUTCOME’ — “Long-running ethics case against former Florida legislator Latvala nears dismissal,” by News Service of Florida’s Dara Kam: “A state lawyer has filed a motion asking the Florida Commission on Ethics to dismiss a complaint against former state Sen. Jack Latvala, more than five years after the Clearwater Republican resigned from office amid sexual-harassment allegations. The request, filed Monday by Elizabeth Miller, an advocate for the commission, came after two women critical to the case refused to participate. Latvala left office in 2017 after the release of a special master’s report about allegations he had sexually harassed Rachel Perrin Rogers, a former high-ranking Senate aide.”

— “First Wives fear presidential ambition drove DeSantis to sign thrice vetoed alimony law,” by Tallahassee Democrat’s James Call

CAMPAIGN MODE

BY THE NUMBERS — Second-quarter reports filed this week with the state Division of Elections by the state’s two political parties and affiliated committees run by legislative leaders showed a slowdown in fundraising activity, but still highlighted the usual dominance by Republicans. The Republican Party of Florida, along with Senate and House GOP committees, raised $3.19 million from April through June, while the Florida Democratic Party and the two Democratic-controlled committees took in nearly $855,000 during the time period.

Among the big donors to the RPOF: The Seminole Tribe of Florida gave $250,000, while a political committee controlled by state Rep. Sam Garrison donated $125,000. Gov. DeSantis’ former political committee also donated several checks in excess of $100,000 to the party. For the Democrats the largest single check — $100,000 — came from a political committee controlled by state Sen. Jason Pizzo.

Leadership Blue receipts — Democrats, meanwhile, say they raised more than $500,000 at their annual fundraising event and gala held last weekend at Miami Beach’s Fontainebleau Hotel. The gala, which featured actor Bradley Whitford, was sold out and attracted a crowd of roughly 700 people. The Florida Justice Association was listed as the “main” sponsor of the event on brochures and posters for the gala. But “gold” sponsors included Florida Realtors, Florida Crystals, the Florida Education Association, Florida Power & Light, Iconoclast Ventures and Publix.

— “Miami mayor doubles his wealth, buys boat with profit from his side gigs,” by Bloomberg’s Michael Smith

Transitions

BALLARD EXPANDS IN FORT MYERS — Terry Miller is joining Ballard Partners as a partner in its Fort Myers office while Elaine Sarlo Barraco will become a senior associate. Miller, who once worked in the Florida House, was the founder of his own Southwest Florida based political consulting and public affairs firm. “Terry’s success and reputation in Southwest Florida adds a significant new dimension of expertise to our Fort Myers team led by Managing Partner Dane Eagle,” said Brian Ballard, the firm’s president and founder. Sarlo Barraco has worked for corporate clients and has also coordinated campaigns at local, state and federal levels. She previously worked as the Southwest Florida regional director for Sen. Marco Rubio.

Natalie Meiner is now communications director for the Florida Department of State. She previously was senior vice president of communications for Enterprise Florida.

Corey Noble is now comms director for Rep. Scott Franklin. He previously was legislative assistant/press secretary for Rep. Bill Posey.

Cat Magos is now director of operations for Rep. Pat Ryan (D-N.Y.). She was previously director of operations for Rep. Jared Moskowitz.

Giancarlo Mandato is now a staff and press assistant for Rep. Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.). He most recently was an intern for Rep. Bill Posey.

EJ Valentine will be policy director for the NRCC in the 2024 cycle. He most recently was senior policy adviser to Sen. Rick Scott and is a Carlos Gimenez alum.

PENINSULA AND BEYOND

BIPARTISAN REQUEST — “Congress and Blinken call on the Cuban government to release political prisoners,” by Miami Herald’s Nora Gámez Torres: “Congress and the United States’ top American diplomat called on the Cuban government on Tuesday to release all political prisoners, many of whom were arrested for joining pro-democracy protests two years ago. To mark the second anniversary of protests that spread through the island on July 11, 2021, the chairmen of the Senate and House committees dealing with foreign affairs, Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) and U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas), introduced a bipartisan resolution 'condemning the ongoing acts of repression and human rights violations against the Cuban people by the Cuban regime, and calling for the immediate release of all arbitrarily detained Cuban citizens.'”

MOUSE TRAP — “Disney ramps up spending in California amid war with Ron DeSantis in Florida,” by The Guardian’s Richard Luscombe: “Now, following comments from Disney’s chief executive Bob Iger that DeSantis is ‘anti-business’ and ‘anti-Florida’, the company is all in on Disneyland Forward, an ambitious rolling program of growth at its two Anaheim theme parks. The company projects the program will generate $253m annually and more than 2,200 new jobs. Last month, California’s Democratic governor, Gavin Newsom, no friend of his Republican Florida counterpart, attended Disneyland’s Pride Nite and blamed his state’s good fortune on DeSantis’s attacks on non-binary communities.”

— “Industrial chemical infiltrated Lake Mary, Sanford, Seminole water wells; few knew and there was no coordinated response,” by Orlando Sentinel’s Kevin Spear, Caroline Catherman and Martin E. Comas

— “Moms for Liberty objections lead Leon County Schools superintendent to pull five books,” by USA Today Network-Florida’s Douglas Soule

— “Hillsborough officials say new Florida law will help fight fentanyl crisis,” by Tampa Bay Times’ Emma Uber

— “Larry Nassar was stabbed in prison cell, attack not seen by surveillance cameras, AP source says,” by Associated Press’ Michael R. Sisak and Michael Balsamo

— “Burmese pythons in Florida actually a mixture of multiple species: USGS,” by Fort Myers News-Press’ Chad Gillis

— “Cancer-causing gas emissions prompt Senator Scott & Congressman Donalds to ask CDC to test,” by WINK’s Claire Galt and Paul Dolan

ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN

BIRTHDAYS: Former Rep. and Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum … Erin Gaetz, executive producer and creative director … Christine Armario, deputy editor for The Washington Post … Former state Rep. Franklin Sands … former state Sen. John Grant ... Craig Varn, vice president and general counsel at Verano … Bob Rackleff, Big Bend Voting Rights Project and former presidential speechwriter.