| | | | |  | | By Gary Fineout | Hello and welcome to Friday. Remember Florida Democrats? — Well, this weekend’s Leadership Blue conference/fundraiser in Miami Beach marks the first big event hosted by Florida Democrats since former Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried took over the helm of the party this year following the disastrous 2022 cycle. Fried talked to Playbook just ahead of the three-day event, which will include the sold-out Saturday night gala featuring television and film actor Bradley Whitford (whose credits include "The West Wing" and "Get Out"). Something different — Fried said Democrats shook up the usual format, which usually consisted of caucus meetings during the day and a sit down dinner with six or seven political speeches at night. “This entire weekend is really a rebranding of the entire party,” said Fried, who said the plan is to hold training sessions during the day with all the attendees together. But she added: “We are here to entertain. We have a goal to make sure the momentum and excitement of the last few months carry forward … We have to show this is a different Florida Democratic Party.” Star power — That calculus included the decision to bring in Whitford, a move Fried said was meant to “bring a different flair” to the evening. Context — Democrats head into the three-day weekend with some of the same old headwinds that have confronted them in the past, including a financial disadvantage and a growing voter registration gap with Republicans. Last November the GOP crushed Democrats up and down the ballot. But the election of Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan this year over a Republican rival has helped pump up enthusiasm — as has the so-far flailing presidential campaign of Fried’s longtime nemesis, Gov. Ron DeSantis. The message — Fried, however, said Democrats won’t be spending all their time railing at DeSantis or former President Donald Trump. She said that the “vast majority” of her own speech to her fellow Democrats is “about what we are going to do for the people, what we stand for.” Taking aim — That said, however, still expect some shots at DeSantis. Fried said she is “giddy” about DeSantis’ troubled campaign so far. “The rest of the nation is for the first time understanding what we have been saying for four years,” said Fried, who added the governor is learning that “people are not in favor of his policies.” DeSantis and Florida Republicans, of course, disagree and on the campaign trail DeSantis has boasted about beating Democrats at the polls and on issues. But this weekend Democrats will likely be more buoyant than in the recent past. — 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
| | | | JOIN 7/11 FOR A TALK ON THE FAA’S FUTURE: Congress is making moves to pass the FAA Reauthorization Act, laying the groundwork for the FAA’s long-term agenda to modernize the aviation sector to meet the challenges of today and innovate for tomorrow. Join POLITICO on July 11 to discuss what will make it into the final reauthorization bill and examine how reauthorization will reshape FAA’s priorities and authorities. REGISTER HERE. | | | | | |  | CAMPAIGN MODE | | BY THE NUMBERS — DeSantis campaign raised $20 million in first six weeks of campaign, by POLITICO’s Eric Bazail-Eimil: The DeSantis campaign announced on Thursday that it had raised $20 million since Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis officially entered the Republican presidential primary six weeks ago, a show of fundraising prowess as DeSantis tries to position himself as the main GOP rival to former President Donald Trump. The fundraising figures, reported earlier by Fox News, were celebrated Thursday by DeSantis campaign officials as the “largest first-quarter filing from any non-incumbent Republican candidate in more than a decade.” THE SCOTT FILES — Sen. Rick Scott raised over $1.5 million in the second quarter of the year, his campaign announced on Thursday, and the Republican incumbent has nearly $3 million on hand as he waits to see if he draws a viable Democratic opponent. Priscilla Ivasco, communications director for Scott’s reelection campaign, said that Scott “continues to raise money, gain support, and travel the state” while “Florida Democrats can’t even muster a candidate besides disgraced former Congressman Alan Grayson. Every time we think the Florida Democratic Party has hit a new low, they find new ways to surprise us.” Someone is polling — Democrats, for their part, contend that they will find a candidate to challenge Scott in 2024. On that end, a text/online poll began reaching out to Florida voters this week that asked if voters intend to vote in the Senate race, then asked for favorable/unfavorable opinion on Scott, DeSantis, state House Democratic Leader Fentrice Driskell, former Miami Heat star Alonzo Mourning, Sen. Marco Rubio and former Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell. — “This Palm Beach County Florida House seat held by a Republican may be a ‘coin toss’ in 2024,” by Palm Beach Post’s Stephany Matat
| | DESANTISLAND | | CALIFORNIA CALLING — Newsom calls on DOJ to investigate Florida over migrant transports, by POLITICO’s Alexander Nieves: California Gov. Gavin Newsom and California Attorney General Rob Bonta on Thursday called on the Justice Department to investigate the Florida program responsible for transporting migrants to Martha’s Vineyard and Sacramento. The California Democratic officials, along with a sheriff in Texas, urged Attorney General Merrick Garland in a letter to open criminal and civil investigations into Florida’s “Unauthorized Alien Transport Program,” arguing that contractors hired by the state have used fraudulent tactics to coerce asylum seekers into accepting trips to liberal cities. From the letter — “It is unconscionable to use people as political props by persuading them to travel to another state based on false or deceptive representations,” the letter states. “We urge USDOJ to investigate potential violations of federal law by those involved in this Scheme.”
|  California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks at a news conference in Sacramento, Calif., on March 16, 2023. | Rich Pedroncelli/AP Photo | ‘VOTERS AREN’T LOOKING FOR TRUMP LIGHT’ — “DeSantis struggles to separate from Trump on policy when campaigning for 2024,” by Miami Herald’s Alex Roarty and Max Greenwood: “Since launching his campaign in May, DeSantis has struggled to distinguish his policy positions from the former president. Some of his plans match what Trump has already proposed, and others echo what he already did as president. It’s a particular challenge for DeSantis, whose substance-heavy pitch to voters relies more on policy than most Republican candidates. And it’s contributed to a growing sense that, at least in the early going of the 2024 primary, the governor is struggling to gain traction against a former president who polls show continues to hold a huge lead in the race.” WHAT THE DESANTIS CAMPAIGN IS READING — “Wisconsin Republicans say voters ‘doubting Trump’s ability to win’ after poll shows DeSantis blowout,” by Fox News’ Jessica Chasmar WHAT THE DESANTIS CAMPAIGN IS NOT READING — “Beacon Poll: Trump up 49 points over DeSantis in Tenn.," by Newsmax's Nicole Wells — “2 top public health positions in Ron DeSantis’ administration are vacant,” by NBC News’ Matt Dixon — “DeSantis support of anti-gay video called bad strategy, worse message,” by Orlando Sentinel’s Steven Lemongello — “Casey DeSantis rolls out ‘Mamas for DeSantis’ hype video,” by Florida Politics’ A.G. Gancarski
| | | | 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. | | | | | | | ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... | | WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FLORIDA HOUSE? — The Miami Herald’s Aaron Leibowitz and CBS Miami’s Jim DeFede on Thursday — who have been jointly investigating the conduct of state Rep. Fabian Basabe — both reported that a lawsuit has been filed in Leon County from a former aide and legislative aide that Basabe made “repeated, unwanted sexual advances on them.” From the CBS Miami story — “The second staff member, Jacob Cutbirth, worked as an unpaid intern in Basabe's office and claims Basabe told him he was required to flirt with the state representative whenever he was at the Capitol. The 24-year-old also claims Basabe counseled him to break off his engagement to his girlfriend and ‘explore his sexuality by having sex with men.’” The Herald story has this response — “In a statement after the lawsuit was filed, an attorney for Basabe, Robert Fernandez, said they were still reviewing the complaint and did not respond to detailed questions about the claims. “Representative Basabe will not be litigating this frivolous and meritless lawsuit in the media or giving it any more public attention than it deserves — which is none,” Fernandez said. “Representative Basabe looks forward to defending himself in court and we believe he will be fully vindicated once these allegations are scrutinized under the rule of law.” A LEGAL MATTER — “Biden administration points to the US Supreme Court in a Florida immigration fight,” by News Service of Florida’s Jim Saunders: “U.S. Department of Justice attorneys Wednesday filed a 41-page brief that focused, in part, on a June 23 Supreme Court decision that tossed out a challenge by Texas and Louisiana to immigration policies. The Supreme Court said Texas and Louisiana did not have legal standing — a key initial test that must be met in lawsuits. Wednesday’s brief said the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals should similarly find that Florida does not have standing to challenge policies that Gov. Ron DeSantis and state Attorney General Ashley Moody contend have led to migrants improperly being released from detention.” — “Supreme Court decision changes the rules for medical malpractice lawsuits,” by Florida Politics’ Christine Jordan Sexton
| | TRUMPLANDIA AND THE SWAMP | | — McCarthy declines to endorse Trump – looking to avoid a GOP civil war, by POLITICO’s Sarah Ferris and Olivia Beavers — “Trump valet Walt Nauta pleads not guilty in classified documents case,” by Associated Press’ Adriana Gomez Licon and Eric Tucker
| | DATELINE D.C. | | YEAR ONE — No ‘tiny voice’: Ketanji Brown Jackson’s outspoken first term, by POLITICO’s Josh Gerstein: During a term largely defined by cases involving race, [Justice Ketanji Brown] Jackson — the first Black woman to serve as a justice — repeatedly voiced a full-throated defense of race-conscious measures to remedy discrimination. As a former public defender, she proved closely attuned to the arguments of criminal defendants, perhaps more so than any other justice. And she took on a prominent role during the court’s oral arguments, speaking far more than any of her colleagues.
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Supreme Court Associate Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, right, addresses an audience as Dean of the Boston University School of Law Angela Onwuachi-Willig, left, looks on during the commencement ceremony for Boston University School of Law, Sunday, May 21, 2023. | Steven Senne/AP Photo | — “Congress members will host roundtable with pro-democracy Cuban activists in Miami,” by McClatchy D.C.’s Henry Jost — “Marco Rubio warns China may try to establish a military force in China,” by Florida Politics’ Jacob Ogles
| | ...HURRICANE HOLE... | | UNWELCOME NEWS — “Hurricane forecasters now predict ‘above average’ season. Blame a hot Atlantic,” by Tampa Bay Times’ Max Chesnes and Michaela Mulligan: “Their updated hurricane season outlook, released Thursday, now calls for an ‘above-average’ season with 18 named storms, of which nine will become hurricanes and four will reach major hurricane strength (with sustained winds of 111 miles per hour or higher). That’s five more named storms — and two more major hurricanes — than first predicted. The reason for more predicted storms? The ‘extreme anomalous warmth’ in the Atlantic Ocean. Translation: It’s piping hot out there, with plenty of tropical fuel standing at the ready.”
| | PENINSULA AND BEYOND | | HELP WANTED — “As Florida law sparks immigration protests, Trump, other businesses bid for foreign workers,” by Palm Beach Post’s Antonio Fins and Alexandra Clough: “It's not known just how a controversial Florida immigration law will impact Palm Beach County's worker-starved businesses, but it is clear employers such as Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago and golf clubs are among those that have filed paperwork to bring in an unprecedented number of temporary foreign workers. Officials at CareerSource Palm Beach County said Wednesday that their tracking of H-2B foreign worker visa applications this year signals that a record 52 employers, including hotels, clubs and resorts, are seeking to bring people from other countries to fill an also record number of positions, 3,123.” — “‘We failed these kids’: Fort Lauderdale shooting emphasizes concerns about child gun violence,” by South Florida Sun-Sentinel’s Angie DiMichele and Shira Moolten — “Space Florida narrows search for new CEO to 3 finalists,” by Orlando Sentinel’s Richard Tribou — “Supreme Court ruling on Colorado LGBTQ case could influence lawsuit over Jacksonville HRO,” by Florida Times-Union’s Steve Patterson — “Former Wakulla County property appraiser Brad Harvey pleads no contest to fraud charges,” by Tallahassee Democrat’s Jeff Burlew — “Health department reports 2 more cases of locally acquired malaria in Sarasota County,” by Sarasota Herald-Tribune’s Anne Snabes
| | ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN | | BIRTHDAYS: State Rep. Stan McClain … former state Sen. Janet Cruz … (Saturday) Former Miami Herald reporter Marty Merzer ... state Rep. Juan Carlos Porras ... former Department of Lottery spokesperson Connie Barnes … Douglas Mannheimer (Sunday) Former state Rep. Matt Hudson … April Salter, CEO and founder of SalterMitchell … Bob Sparks, former spokesperson for Republican Party of Florida … Danny Diaz, a founding and managing partner at FP1 Strategies | | | | 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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