| | | | |  | | By Gary Fineout | Hello and welcome to Friday. United — It’s been no secret that Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody — among those mentioned frequently as a possible 2026 candidate for governor — has been a steadfast ally of Gov. Ron DeSantis. Last February, the twice-elected Republican made the slightly eyebrow raising comment: “That’s why I love working in this administration.” Alone — So far, Moody is the only one of the three statewide-elected Republicans on the Florida Cabinet to endorse DeSantis’ run for president. Jumping in — On Thursday, Moody decided to vocally and publicly defend the DeSantis administration’s migrant relocation program that transported asylum seekers to Martha’s Vineyard and Sacramento. She jumped into the fray over the program after California officials, including DeSantis’ rival Gov. Gavin Newsom, urged the Justice Department to investigate. Shade — Moody’s letter to U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland included some swipes at the prosecution of former President Donald Trump over his handling of classified documents and even a reference to Hunter Biden, the son of former President Biden. Going there — But the letter, which called California’s request a “political stunt,” also waded straight into presidential politics. She said that Newsom and California’s attorney general got involved “because Florida’s governor is running for president and is among the front runners to be nominated to run against the current president.” And more — She added that “the two most senior elected Democrats in California evidently do not believe that the current president can win re-election against Gov. DeSantis. Instead, they hope that [the Department of Justice] can be improperly utilized, yet again, against a Republican presidential candidate during an election.” Hmm — So what prompted this? Moody’s office did not answer whether DeSantis’ office had requested the letter. The letter curiously revealed (with sparse details) that California law enforcement authorities have come to Florida to do their investigation. By the way — Interestingly enough, the Moody shot at California came the same day that GOP Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis (another potential contender for governor) held an entire event to complain about the Internal Revenue Service — an agency he has no oversight over. 2026 is getting closer and closer. — WHERE'S RON? — Gov. DeSantis will meet with voters in Fort Dodge, Iowa, hold a roundtable with Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig in Boone, Iowa and deliver remarks at the Family Leadership Summit in Des Moines, Iowa. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for Playbook? Get in touch: gfineout@politico.com
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THE GRAND PLAN — “‘Built on Muscle:’ The DeSantis Campaign’s Playbook to beat Trump and shock the haters,” by The Messenger’s Marc Caputo: “Seven weeks after launch, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’s presidential campaign is entering a new phase of its online outreach and ground game — all of it fueled by his $20 million fundraising quarter, the largest haul of any first-time Republican White House hopeful in more than a decade. ‘We're not built on sugar highs,’ Generra Peck, DeSantis’s campaign manager, told The Messenger. ‘We’re built on muscle that remains even amid the inevitable ups and downs that happen in the course of the campaign.’ At its center: the campaign’s in-house marketing team that has created and algorithmically message-tested 14,000 ads and related variations on Facebook and other social media platforms to curry supporters and convert them into donors and voters.”
|  FILE - Republican presidential candidate and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and his wife Casey, walk in the July 4th parade, July 4, 2023, in Merrimack, N.H. As the six month sprint to the Iowa caucuses begins, the sprawling field of Republican presidential candidates is facing growing pressure to prove they can become serious challengers to former President Donald Trump. (AP Photo/Reba Saldanha, File) | AP |
EVERYTHING IS AWESOME — “Confidential DeSantis campaign memo looks to reassure donors amid stumbles,” by NBC News’ Dasha Burns, Matt Dixon, Jonathan Allen and Allan Smith: “Ron DeSantis is trying to reassure donors and activists that his campaign only looks stalled. A confidential campaign memo obtained by NBC News lays out what the Florida governor’s presidential campaign sees as its path forward: focusing on the early states, refusing to give up on New Hampshire, not yet investing in Super Tuesday battlegrounds, zeroing in on DeSantis’ biography and sowing doubts about his competitors — particularly Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C.”
MEANWHILE — “GOP White House hopefuls face mounting pressure to stop Trump in Iowa,” by Associated Press’ Thomas Beaumont and Steve Peoples MOUSE TRAP — “DeSantis claims that Disney sexualizes children are ‘preposterous,’ CEO Bob Iger says,” by CNBC’s Kevin Breuninger: “Disney CEO Bob Iger on Thursday rejected Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ campaign rhetoric against the company, calling the Republican presidential candidate’s attacks ‘preposterous and inaccurate.’ Iger, who spoke in an exclusive interview with CNBC, was responding to DeSantis’ comments from the campaign trail that the entertainment giant is ‘sexualizing children.’” — “DeSantis needs to win South Carolina. A MAGA wall stands in his way,” by Tampa Bay Times’ Jay Cridlin: — “DeSantis has hammered Biden on rising prices. Now Florida is an inflation hotspot,” by Miami Herald’s Max Greenwood — “DeSantis weighs media strategy shift as donors fret about early campaign struggles: sources,” by ABC News’ Will Steakin — “Ron DeSantis’ statement on federal government growth is exaggerated,” by PolitiFact’s Louis Jacobson and Sevana Wenn | | CAMPAIGN MODE | |
STEP RIGHT UP — “Francis Suarez is fundraising with drawing for tickets to Messi’s Inter Miami debut,” by Miami Herald’s Joey Flechas: “Miami Mayor Francis Suarez’s presidential campaign is raffling off Inter Miami tickets as part of a blitz to secure enough donors to make the first Republican primary debate in August. Federal campaign laws generally permit raffles, but the campaign’s actions could raise questions about compliance with Florida’s gaming laws. A donation to Suarez for President, Inc., his official nonprofit campaign organization, is not required to enter the drawing. The free-to-enter policy is required for nonprofits to legally hold raffles.”
— “Billionaire treated Mayor Suarez to $30K Grand Prix weekend. Miami says he’s paying it back,” by Miami Herald’s Sarah Blaskey, Tess Riski and Joey Flechas 2026 WATCH — “Ron DeSantis may have a successor in the wings: Byron Donalds,” by Vanity Fair’s Pablo Manríquez: “Six months later, Donalds is trying to catapult himself into a voice for his party, and maybe into the Florida governor’s mansion. ‘Oh yeah, I would do it,’ Donalds, 44, tells me when I ask him if he wants to run for governor. ‘Would I do it, yes. There's a lot of other things that have to be answered between saying yes, I would do it and…’ Donalds trails off just as it sounded he was going to explain further. ‘Nah, come on man, I can’t give you everything,’ he says, again with a laugh.” | 
Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., speaks at the Moms for Liberty meeting in Philadelphia, Friday, June 30, 2023. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke) | AP |
HMM — “Lee County Republicans clash with state party lawmakers over election safety,” by NBC 2’s Dave Elias: “The Lee County Executive Committee wants the governor to call a special legislative session to address their concerns. ‘There is absolutely zero chance that the governor is going to call a special session based on this resolution,’ responded Republican State Representative Spencer Roach. Roach also reacted to claims from his own party members that Republican state leaders aren’t conservative enough. ‘They’re voting to condemn the entire Florida legislature without even bothering to speak to their representatives. It’s just chaos,’ Roach stated.”
CRACKDOWN — “Revealed: Florida Republicans target voter registration groups with thousands in fines,” by The Guardian’s Sam Levine and Andrew Witherspoon: “Through a public records request, the Guardian reviewed several of the applications the Hispanic Federation submitted that were flagged for fines. In nearly all of them, the voter incorrectly wrote on their own applications that they lived in Polk county. In many cases, the address they listed was just over the county line in Osceola county. One voter lived just 300ft from the county line, which cut through his neighborhood. Another lived just 660ft from the county line. At least 10 voters lived within three miles of the county boundary, according to a Guardian analysis. The Hispanic Federation agreed to pay the fine, but wrote a letter to the state saying it ‘strongly disagreed’ with the penalty and called it a “gross misapplication” of the law.” — “Special election gives Florida Democrats a shot at swing district,” by Orlando Sentinel’s Steven Lemongello
| | TRUMPLANDIA AND THE SWAMP | |
THE L WORD — “Prosecutors ask witnesses whether Trump acknowledged he lost 2020 race,” by The New York Times’ Michael S. Schmidt and Maggie Haberman: “Federal prosecutors investigating former President Donald J. Trump’s attempts to overturn the 2020 election have questioned multiple witnesses in recent weeks — including Mr. Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner — about whether Mr. Trump had privately acknowledged in the days after the 2020 election that he had lost, according to four people briefed on the matter. The line of questioning suggests prosecutors are trying to establish whether Mr. Trump was acting with corrupt intent as he sought to remain in power — essentially that his efforts were knowingly based on a lie — evidence that could substantially bolster any case they might decide to bring against him.”
HAWKEYE PRIDE — Trump loses Iowa endorser days after attacking the state’s governor, by POLITICO’s Alex Isenstadt: An Iowa state senator who’d previously endorsed Donald Trump is flipping his support to Ron DeSantis just days after the former president attacked Iowa’s popular Republican governor, Kim Reynolds. Jeff Reichman, who is serving his first term in the state Senate, announced on Thursday that he is defecting to the Florida governor’s presidential campaign. In a statement, Reichman singled out praise for Reynolds, who Trump has targeted for her warmness toward DeSantis, his main rival for the GOP nomination. — Special counsel blasts Trump’s bid to delay documents trial until 2024 election, by POLITICO’s Kyle Cheney and Josh Gerstein — “Trump Super PAC made $155,000 payment to Melania Trump in 2021,” by The New York Times’ Shane Goldmacher and Maggie Haberman — Trump’s 2024 media play: Less cable, more Barstool, by POLITICO’s Alex Isenstadt | | | | 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. | | | | | | | Transitions | |
Danielle Alvarez is joining Florida Crystals as director of public affairs, where she will support the company’s education and communications efforts in Tallahassee and Washington, D.C. Alvarez is a former communications director for the Republican National Committee and also served as regional communications director for the southeast.
She previously helped with Gov. Ron DeSantis’ inauguration team and worked as director of external affairs for Enterprise Florida and Mercury Public Affairs. “We are excited to welcome Danielle Alvarez to our team,” said Pepe Fanjul, Jr., executive vice President of Florida Crystals. “We have known and worked with Danielle for many years. She is well respected within the public and private sectors, and we couldn’t be more pleased to bring her talents in-house.” The Florida Justice Association announced a new leadership team on Thursday. Jeff Porter is the newly appointed executive director and takes over for Paul Jess, who retired from FJA after 35 years. Porter selected Lydia Claire Brooks to take over as FJA’s Political Director and Laura Youmans to serve as director of legislative and government Affairs. FJA has also added Allison North Jones as director of communications. The Association of Florida Colleges has hired Tony Carvajal as its new CEO and executive director. Carvajal was an executive vice president of Florida TaxWatch before joining the association and has previously held positions at The Able Trust, Florida Chamber Foundation, and the Collins Center for Public Policy. | | | PENINSULA AND BEYOND | | |
NOT SO FINE — “State launches full-scale investigation into FAU’s presidential search,” by South Florida Sun-Sentinel’s Scott Travis: The state will launch a formal investigation into Florida Atlantic University’s presidential search, rejecting the university’s request to end the matter quickly and increasing speculation that the ultimate goal is to place a political ally of Gov. Ron DeSantis into the role. The inspector general for the Board of Governors, the policy-making body for the state’s public universities, will conduct a formal investigation into “anomalies” in FAU’s presidential search, System Chancellor Ray Rodrigues wrote in a letter this week to Brad Levine, who chairs the FAU search firm and Board of Trustees. ‘The investigation will be thorough, fair, and a determination will not be reached in haste,’ Rodrigues wrote to Levine.
SWEETENERS — Justice Department loses appeal of major sugar deal, by POLITICO’s Marcia Brown: A federal appeals court on Thursday upheld a decision to allow U.S. Sugar, the largest U.S. producer of sugarcane, to buy competitor Imperial Sugar in a $315 million deal, defeating an effort by the Justice Department to stop the deal from going forward. … U.S. Sugar spokesperson Judy Sanchez said the company is “pleased” with the decision and focused on its efforts to integrate the two businesses. “Bringing the Savannah Refinery, its sugar brands, and facilities back into American ownership is good for our employees, our local communities, our customers, and our country,” Sanchez said in a statement, referencing Imperial’s Georgia facility and its European parent company. — “Ironic? New College relied on ultra-woke Mercer for Richard Corcoran’s bloated salary recommendation,” by The Capitolist’s Brian Burgess — “After ex-deputy Scot Peterson was acquitted, who now pays for his ‘exorbitant’ legal bills?” by South Florida Sun-Sentinel’s Lisa J. Huriash — “Florida man gets 18 years in federal prison for supporting Islamic State extremist group,” by Associated Press — “Record python caught in Florida: Hunter says he ‘held on for dear life’ while catching snake,” by Naples Daily News’ Mark H. Bickel and Andrew West Correction: Abigail Hasebroock works for the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Florida Playbook on Thursday incorrectly identified Hasebroock working for another news outlet. | | | ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN | | |
BIRTHDAYS: Mike Vasilinda, former television reporter and journalist
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