| | | | |  | | By Gary Fineout | Hello and welcome to Wednesday after an extended July Fourth holiday. Questions — Some of the reasons why Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis jumped into the fray over redistricting last year — which resulted in a map that wound up giving Republicans a 20-8 advantage — remain a bit of a mystery as state and federal trials challenging that map grow closer. Keep it dark — As an example, lawyers representing the state have been pushed hard to shield any information about internal deliberations that occurred in the governor’s office about why a map was drawn up that ultimately blew up the district held by Rep. Al Lawson, a Black Democrat. Attorneys have cited various privileges, including attorney-client privilege, as reasons why those conversations should remain private. They cite it repeatedly in a deposition of Alex Kelly, a former top aide to DeSantis who helped with the maps. Context — The push to find out more about the thinking of DeSantis — who vetoed a less-friendly Republican map approved by the Legislature then pushed a map that he now brags about on the campaign trail — is noteworthy because Florida’s Fair Districts amendments have several requirements, including that congressional districts cannot be drawn to favor a political party or diminish minority voters from electing a representative of their choice. Rationale — DeSantis has argued publicly that Lawson’s seat, which stretched from Jacksonville to near Tallahassee, was unconstitutional under federal law. But the lawsuit filed in state court asserts that the governor’s map violated the Fair Districts standards adopted by voters in 2010 (an argument, by the way, that has been bolstered by recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions this summer.) Looking inward — The legal team representing Black Voters Matter, Equal Ground and the League of Women Voters of Florida has been trying to get a better idea of the work of Adam Foltz, a Republican operative who worked in Wisconsin and Texas and was hired by a law firm to do redistricting work on behalf of the governor’s office. Order — Late last week Circuit Judge J. Lee Marsh issued a ruling on two three-inch binders and a thumb drive of material and ruled that Foltz’s hiring as a map maker did not shield him from the public records law. After doing an in-camera review Marsh ruled that some material — but not all — shall be made public. Included in the list of materials is an email string related to the maps. Coming soon — The lawyers representing the state have been ordered by Marsh to hand over the material to the other side this week. It’s too early to know whether the records will yield any additional insights, but the door has been cracked open. — WHERE'S RON? — Gov. DeSantis is scheduled to join Tomi Lahren on "Tomi Lahren is Fearless." 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. | | | | | |  | DESANTISLAND | | GETTING WET — “Stumping on July 4, Trump’s rivals pitch themselves to early-state voters,” by The New York Times’ Jazmine Ulloa and Jonathan Weisman: “Some better-known competitors were in New Hampshire too. Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida, who is in a distant second place in the Republican primary polls to former President Donald J. Trump, walked in two parades, including one that also drew Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina, who is still well back in the pack. The weather was less than agreeable: Mr. DeSantis, Mr. Scott and others walking in the afternoon parade in Merrimack, N.H., were soaked when a rainstorm swept through.”
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Republican presidential candidate and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and his wife Casey, walk in the July 4th parade, Tuesday, July 4, 2023, in Merrimack, N.H. | Reba Saldanha/AP Photo | SITUATIONAL AWARENESS — ‘We are way behind’: Top DeSantis PAC official sounds alarm, by POLITICO’s Meridith McGraw: A top spokesperson for Ron DeSantis’ super PAC is sounding a decidedly dour note on the Florida governor’s presidential prospects, saying his campaign is facing an “uphill battle” and is trailing badly in the key nominating states. Steve Cortes, who previously supported Donald Trump, also heaped praise on the former president, calling him a “runaway frontrunner” and “maestro” of the debate. WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS — “DeSantis is squeezing the sunshine out of Florida’s public records law, critics say,” by NBC News’ Lewis Kamb: "In the four years since DeSantis took office, his administration has routinely stonewalled the release of public records, approved a slew of new legal exceptions aimed at keeping more information out of the public eye, and waged legal battles against open government advocates, the press and other watchdogs. DeSantis, a Harvard-educated lawyer and former U.S. attorney, is the only Florida governor known to use 'executive privilege' to keep records hidden, transparency advocates and experts said.” ABOUT THAT — “DeSantis’ Florida crime claims based on incomplete data, records show,” by The Marshall Project’s Weihua Li: “When Gov. Ron DeSantis announced his bid for the presidency on Twitter Spaces last month, he touted Florida’s low crime rate as a proud accomplishment. ‘Claiming that Florida is unsafe is a total farce,' DeSantis said. “I mean, are you kidding me? You look at cities around this country, they are awash in crime. In Florida, our crime rate is at a 50-year low.’ But his statement rests on patchy, incomplete crime data. About half of the agencies that police more than 40% of the state’s population are missing from figures the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) used for a state-wide estimation.” — “Florida’s Latino evangelicals back DeSantis amid fear of new law,” by Tampa Bay Times’ Juan Carlos Chavez — “Mexican president tells Americans not to vote for DeSantis because of Florida’s tough migrant law,” by Associated Press — “How, and if, DeSantis could put an end to birthright citizenship,” by PolitiFact’s Louis Jacobson — “With DeSantis on the stump, Disney sees a long campaign ahead,” by The New York Times’ Brooks Barnes — DeSantis banked $1.25 million from his book, financial disclosure shows, by POLITICO’s Andrew Zhang — “Latest poll: Ron DeSantis at 16% in GOP presidential race,” by Florida Politics’ A.G. Gancarski
| | CAMPAIGN MODE | | | | | | 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. | | | | | ‘A LONG ROAD TO TRAVEL’ — “The GOP field is more diverse than ever. The GOP isn’t heralding the achievement,” by POLITICO’s Brakkton Booker: The GOP has its most diverse presidential field in modern history. But the party isn’t keen to trumpet it — if they address it at all. Few of the candidates speak directly to it (including) Francis Suarez, the mayor of Miami and only Latino seeking the GOP nomination. In a statement, he simply said, “We need to expand.” Addendum — Suarez sees his position as the only Latino running as an asset. “One in every five Americans today is Hispanic,” Suarez said in a statement. “Two-thirds of America is my age or younger. We are going to need a bigger tent.” WATCH THIS SPACE — “Ex-convict Chris Collins weighs run for Congress in Florida: ‘I’m not going to go quietly into the dark,’” by The Buffalo News’ Charlie Specht: “Former Rep. Chris Collins was convicted, jailed and later pardoned by President Donald Trump for his involvement in an insider trading scheme that started on the White House lawn. But that doesn’t mean the Clarence businessman won’t again serve in Congress – this time, in the Trump-friendly state of Florida. Collins confirmed to The Buffalo News that he is weighing a run for Congress representing Florida’s 19th Congressional District, where he now lives.” Planning it out — “Some of those friends urged him to run for the congressional seat now held by Rep. Byron Donalds, a Republican who is rumored to be considering a run for governor or U.S. Senate. Collins said he has been in touch with GOP political consultants, including Roger Stone, Michael Caputo and Chris Grant, about a possible run if Donalds vacates the seat.” — “Anthony Sabatini raises more than $200K to challenge Daniel Webster,” by Florida Politics’ Jacob Ogles
| | ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... | | SUMMER OF LITIGATION — The legal challenges and judicial decisions keep piling up after the 2023 session. On Monday, Chief U.S. District Judge Mark Walker halted parts of a new election law that put new restrictions on groups that register voters. Walker called the restrictions part of “Florida’s latest assault on the right to vote.” Walker added that "the free state of Florida is simply not free to exceed the bounds of the United States Constitution.” It is anticipated Florida will appeal the ruling since Walker has been reversed previously on voting rights cases. Meanwhile, POLITICO’s Bruce Ritchie reports that on Monday a group of Gainesville residents filed a federal lawsuit challenging a measure that transfers control of the city-owned utility to a new board appointed by the governor. One win for Gov. Ron DeSantis to note — ICYMI on Friday — a federal appeals court refused to block a $2.5 billion gambling deal between the state and the Seminole Tribe of Florida. The Seminole Tribe hailed the decision but did not say if it would reinstate sports betting in the nation’s third-largest state as a result. The tribe had halted betting on its mobile app in December 2021 due to the litigation. FOR YOUR RADAR — The Florida Bar reported this week that the Supreme Court has ordered a study looking at whether judicial circuits should be consolidated. The study was prompted by a June 15 request from Florida House Speaker Paul Renner who asked whether a consolidation of the state’s 20 circuits was warranted. In his letter Renner noted that the current boundaries were created in 1969 and that consolidation might generate cost savings as well as increase trust in the judiciary through greater efficiency and uniformity. BILL SEASON OVER — Gov. Ron DeSantis wrapped up work on the 2023 legislation session last Friday, bringing his final tally for the year to 341 bills signed and seven vetoed. In 2022 DeSantis signed 264 bills and vetoed 11. Among the final bills that DeSantis signed was a measure altering alimony, a piece of legislation that had been previously vetoed three times. This year’s bill had some significant changes from prior versions but there was still speculation that it would get knocked down because it was sponsored by State Sen. Joe Gruters, who has endorsed former President Donald Trump instead of DeSantis for president. Gruters thanked DeSantis on Twitter for signing the bill, calling it “long overdue and a win for Florida families.” Jan Killilea, a 63-year-old Boca Raton woman part of a group called the “First Wives Advocacy Group,” told News Service of Florida’s Dara Kam that the bill, which eliminates permanent alimony, “put older women in a situation which will cause financial devastation. The so-called party of 'family values' has just contributed to erosion of the institution of marriage in Florida.” Here’s more about the legislation from NBC Miami.
| | THE GUNSHINE STATE | | FINAL MOMENT — “In ‘strictly private’ sessions, some to visit crime scene of 2018 Parkland shooting,” by Miami Herald’s Jimena Tavel: “Some family members, victims and survivors plan to visit the high school building in Parkland where their loved ones were murdered five years ago, a last opportunity before it is razed. Because some requested it, a small group of people will start touring the crime scene as early as Wednesday — the infamous 1200 building on the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in ‘strictly private’ sessions, Paula McMahon, a spokeswoman for the Broward State Attorney’s Office, announced on Tuesday. The visits are available for up to 34 individuals listed as victims in the mass shooting prosecution, but not all are planning to do it.” — “Families ask court to allow reenactment of Parkland shooting,” by South Florida Sun-Sentinel’s Rafael Olmeda
| | PENINSULA AND BEYOND | | FOLLOWING THE MONEY — “Mayor for hire: Francis Suarez’s wealth boomed while he promoted Miami as tech capital,” by Miami Herald’s Sarah Blaskey, Tess Riski and Joey Flechas — “As climate gets hotter, the termites get hungrier, UM-led study finds,” by Miami Herald’s Ashley Miznazi — “‘The sargassum season for Florida is gone’: Mysterious seaweed disappearances continue,” by Miami Herald’s Nicolás Rivero — “Thousands of marchers in Fort Lauderdale protest conservative high-court rulings, new state laws,” by South Florida Sun-Sentinel’s David Lyons — “New Florida law is ‘death knell for smart growth,’ environmentalists say,” by Tampa Bay Times’ Jack Prator — “A sweet slice of history: Florida Keys celebrate 200th birthday with giant Key Lime Pie,” by Associated Press
|  In this photo provided by the Florida Keys News Bureau, chefs Paul Menta, front right and David Sloan, back right, put finishing touches on a gargantuan Key lime pie created for a 200th Florida Keys birthday celebration Monday, July 3, on Big Pine Key, Fla. | Andy Newman/Florida Keys News Bureau via AP | | | ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN | | — “This Florida city gets the state’s first ‘dark sky’ certification,” by Tampa Bay Times’ Jack Prator: “When residents and students pushed for a local ordinance protecting views of the night sky from harsh city lights in 2017, local officials were on board. Six years later, Groveland has been recognized as the first Florida city to meet the criteria set by the international organization DarkSky to reduce the artificial brightness that drowns out the night sky.” BIRTHDAYS: State Rep. Michelle Salzman … Randy Hanna, dean and CEO of Florida State University Panama City. | | | | 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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