| | | | |  | | By Gary Fineout | Hello and welcome to Thursday. It’s not my fault — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis keeps trying to spin his campaign difficulties on the media, suggesting that his polling gap with former President Donald Trump among Republican voters (who have been shown to not trust the mainstream media) is due to negative coverage aimed at both him and his wife, first lady Casey DeSantis. The line — DeSantis went on two different radio programs on Wednesday, where he maintained that assertion. “The corporate press does not want me to be the Republican candidate,” DeSantis said on the Howie Carr show, which airs in the Boston-area. Ironically, his campaign, at the same time, is beginning to allow more access to those same corporate press outlets. Please note — But there are dispatches posted this morning that highlight the road ahead for DeSantis as he tries to find some way to chip away at Trump’s large lead by simultaneously branding the former president as a failure (albeit in a restrained fashion), too moderate on some key issues and yet eventually unelectable against President Joe Biden. On second thought — POLITICO’s Sally Goldenberg and Natalie Allison report that some wealthy donors are now turning away from DeSantis and considering whether to back South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott. “A lot of donors that I’ve met are all curious and want to meet Tim and see what he’s about,” said Andy Sabin, a metal mogul and Republican contributor, told POLITICO. “He’s the one guy running who’s got some personality and charisma. His delivery is terrific.” Options — The story points out that billionaire Ronald Lauder, the Estée Lauder makeup heir who supported Trump in 2020 but met a few months ago with DeSantis, recently flew to South Carolina to meet with Scott. CNBC, meanwhile, pointed out that billionaire Ken Griffin, who extolled DeSantis last year after moving to Florida, continues to assess the field. Hawkeye — DeSantis, meanwhile, is headed to Iowa on Friday, where it appears his campaign is hoping for a victory next January in that state will change the trajectory. A top adviser to Never Back Down, the super PAC fueled by left-over money from DeSantis’ run for governor, told Goldenberg that “The beauty of Iowa is … you can actually go on the ground and sense a trend before it picks up in the polls,” the adviser said. “Ron DeSantis has great favorables in Iowa right now, … and he still has a chance to tell his story.” — 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 | | | | 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. | | | | | |  | CAMPAIGN MODE | |
STEP RIGHT UP — Democrats face a costly primary to take on Sen. Rick Scott, by POLITICO’s Holly Otterbein and Gary Fineout: Senate Democrats know who they want to run against incumbent Florida Republican Rick Scott next year. But the message hasn’t gotten through to Florida Democrats. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee officials are trying to convince former Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell to jump into a race against Scott, multiple Democrats familiar with the discussions but who weren’t authorized to speak openly, told POLITICO. Scott is a multimillionaire who can pour huge sums of his own money into the contest and has won three statewide races in Florida by razor-thin margins.
Not waiting — But while Mucarsel-Powell plays the waiting game, Navy veteran Phil Ehr is preparing to launch a Senate campaign “soon,” according to a person familiar with his plans. In an interview, Ehr confirmed that he is seriously considering a run and has already started to put together a political team. “I’m testing the waters right now and so far, I’m very much encouraged by the reception that I’ve received,” he said. “Florida needs good representation in the United States Senate. Rick Scott is just not up to it and he needs a challenger that’s going to stand up for the people.” | 
Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee officials are trying to convince former Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell to jump into a race against Rick Scott. | Jacquelyn Martin/AP Photo |
| | DESANTISLAND | |
‘TURN THE PAGE’ — DeSantis is hoping Iowa evangelicals can make his campaign born again, by POLITICO’s Sally Goldenberg: As Ron DeSantis loses believers in the Beltway, he finds faith among some Iowa evangelical leaders. The Florida governor and his super PAC have been feverishly working the religious circuit in the nation’s first caucus state, trying to capitalize on Donald Trump’s unleashing of vitriol against the state’s Republican governor, Kim Reynolds. Now DeSantis has his best chance yet to appeal to this influential voting base and try to rewrite his campaign’s narrative amid lagging poll numbers and a barrage of increasingly negative headlines. On Friday, he will address The Family Leader, an influential Christian organization that draws a large crowd of conservative pastors. “I really think America wants to turn the page,” Bob Vander Plaats, CEO of The Family Leader, said in an interview.
THE OTHER GUY — Top donors start giving Tim Scott a look after souring on DeSantis, by POLITICO’s Sally Goldenberg and Natalie Allison: Many high-dollar donors in Trump’s native New York City have tired of the former president and worry about his general election chances. But they say their faith in the Florida governor has been shaken by early campaign missteps and his hardline positions on abortion, transgender rights and other culture-war issues. They fear time is running out for anyone else to break through. Now, several donors are starting to more seriously mull backing Scott — a more traditional Republican alternative to the populist and combative Trump and DeSantis. Related read — “DeSantis donors privately worry about campaign as Florida governor lags in 2024 polls,” by CNBC’s Brian Schwartz — “Ron DeSantis still doesn’t want to be Donald Trump’s VP,” by Florida Politics’ A.G. Gancarski — “DeSantis on whether Trump should debate: ‘He needs to step up and do it,’” by The Hill’s Caroline Vakil | | TRUMPLANDIA AND THE SWAMP | |
BALANCE BEAM — DOJ juggles prosecuting Trump with its duty to safeguard the office of the presidency, by POLITICO’s Kyle Cheney and Josh Gerstein: In a courthouse in Florida, federal prosecutors are trying to put Donald Trump in jail. But in Washington, D.C., a different wing of the Justice Department is trying to shield him from being forced to testify under oath in a long-running lawsuit. Welcome to the bizarro-world reality facing Attorney General Merrick Garland, the first DOJ leader balancing the prosecution of a former president with the department’s longstanding mission to protect the presidency itself.
FOUR OF THEM FROM FLORIDA — Justice Department appeals Jan. 6 prison sentences for Stewart Rhodes, Oath Keepers, by POLITICO’s Kyle Cheney and Josh Gerstein — “Trump conjures up a phony dispute with Ron DeSantis over China tariffs,” by The Washington Post’s Glenn Kessler — “UF student sentenced to probation after participation in U.S. Capitol riot,” by The Gainesville Sun’s Nora O’Neill | | | | 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 D.C. | |
SHOWTIME — House GOP spars with FBI chief on Hunter Biden, Jan. 6 and more, by POLITICO’s Jordain Carney: Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) sparked one of the most contentious exchanges in the hearing by questioning if [FBI Director Christopher] Wray was trying to protect President Joe Biden and members of his family.
Exchange — Gaetz read a WhatsApp message — obtained by the Ways and Means Committee — where Hunter Biden asked a Chinese businessman about a payment, adding that: “I will make certain that between the man sitting next to me and every person he knows and my ability to forever hold a grudge that you will regret not following my direction.” (Biden’s legal team has called the screenshots circulated online “complete fakes.”) Back and forth — Gaetz asked Wray if that “sounds like a shakedown.” When Wray said he wouldn’t comment, Gaetz added: “You seem deeply uncurious about it. Almost uncurious. Are you protecting the Bidens?” |  Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) looks on during a House Judiciary Committee hearing on oversight of the FBI on Capitol Hill July 12, 2023. (Francis Chung/POLITICO via AP Images) | AP |
| | ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... | |
FARMERS FALLOUT — Gov. Ron DeSantis and other Republicans on Wednesday contended that the state’s insurance industry is going to stabilize despite the news that Farmers Insurance is pulling out of the state and will discontinue roughly 100,000 auto, homeowners and umbrella policies. DeSantis, appearing on a Boston-area radio show, asserted that the situation will improve AFTER hurricane season. “So, knock on wood; we won’t have a big storm this summer. Then I think you’re going to start to see companies see an advantage,” the governor said.
House Speaker Paul Renner, for his part, said “while our reforms will take time to take effect, we put the right systems in place to strengthen our insurance market and provide Floridians with the access to coverage and peace of mind they need.” Democrats, meanwhile, pounded Republicans for the ongoing problems in insurance and said that the GOP solution — which included using taxpayer money to provide backup coverage to private insurers and limiting lawsuits — would not fix the problem. Trickle down economics doesn’t work, neither does trickle down property insurance relief,” said state Rep. Fentrice Driskell, D-Tampa. — “Democrats: Republicans policies haven’t abated Florida’s insurance ‘crisis,’” by Florida Politics’ Christine Jordan Sexton — “State senator says Gov. DeSantis needs to ‘come home,’ call special session to address property insurance crisis,” by News4Jax’s Tarik Minor BACKUP — 12 Republican AGs back Florida in court challenge to Chinese land ownership law, by POLITICO’s Bruce Ritchie: Twelve Republican state attorneys general are asking a federal court to side with Florida in a legal challenge to a new state law barring land ownership by some Chinese people. And in a related development, an American Civil Liberties Union lawyer on Wednesday said his Chinese immigrant clients and a real estate firm that caters to Chinese people already are facing illegal discrimination under the new law. — “Florida recreational marijuana by the numbers: Economists see green in possible amendment,” by Tallahassee Democrat’s James Call — “Ray Treadwell departs governor’s office to join Lawson Huck Gonzalez,” by City & State’s Jim Rosica | | THE GUNSHINE STATE | |
RULING — “Reenactment of Parkland school massacre on campus will be allowed as part of lawsuit against deputy,” by Associated Press’ Terry Spencer: “The 2018 Parkland high school massacre will be reenacted twice with the firing of about 140 blanks on campus as part of families’ lawsuits against the former sheriff’s deputy they accuse of failing to stop the gunman, a judge ruled Wednesday. Circuit Judge Carol-Lisa Phillips granted the motion from attorney David Brill, who says his video recorded reenactment will prove former Broward Deputy Scot Peterson knew the shooter was firing inside a three-story classroom building at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on Feb. 14, 2018, but chose not to intercede.”
| | PENINSULA AND BEYOND | |
NOT SO SWEET — “Florida citrus growers grapple with grim reality: Harvest drops to levels not seen since 1936,” by Orlando Sentinel’s Abigail Hasebroock: “This year, Florida’s final orange production forecast, which is measured by how many 90-pound boxes are filled, fell to 15.9 million boxes, according to figures released by the United States Department of Agriculture on Wednesday. It’s the lowest since 1936 when production also hovered around 15.9 million (when irrigation barely existed). This year, production fell due to a lethal combination of citrus greening, as well as the lingering impact from Hurricanes Ian and Nicole last year. ‘It just continues to be shocking to people who have been in the industry for the last three decades that we’ve gone from where we were to where we are,’ said Brantley Schirard Jr., a third-generation citrus grower in Fort Pierce.”
— “Waters off Florida hit record high temps. Brace for fish kills, algae blooms, coral damage,” by Miami Herald’s Alan Halaly and Alex Harris — “Greenberg, Dorworth may be called to testify in federal trial,” by Orlando Sentinel’s Martin E. Comas: — “Citizens property insurer customer count swells, although it’s state insurer of last resort,” by News Service of Florida’s Jim Saunders and Tom Urban — “Florida hospitals comply with new immigration law with advocates ‘on alert,’” by Tallahassee Democrat’s Ana Goñi-Lessan — “Messi mania engulfs Miami ahead of Argentine soccer superstar’s arrival,” by Associated Press’ Gisela Salomon | | ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN | |
— “Most state beaches had unsafe poop bacteria, report says. How did South Florida fare?” by Miami Herald’s Grethel Aguila: “Tourists from across the world flock to Florida for its warm weather and beaches. But if you plan on hitting one of the Sunshine State’s popular beaches for some fun in the sun and swimming anytime soon — beware. A report unveiled in July found that 70% of the 244 beaches tested in Florida had potentially unsafe levels of fecal indicator bacteria on at least one occasion, according to Environment America.”
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