| | | | |  | | By Kimberly Leonard | | Presented by |  | | | |  Republican State Sen. Randy Fine. | State Cannon/AP | | Good morning and welcome to Monday. “RUN, RANDY, RUN!” That was the advice President-elect DONALD TRUMP had over the weekend on Truth Social for Republican state Sen. RANDY FINE about the soon-to-be vacant House District 6 seat. Trump recently tapped the current officeholder, GOP Rep. MIKE WALTZ, to be his next national security adviser. The Fine endorsement is one of Trump’s first since the election. He has not said who he wants to run for former Rep. MATT GAETZ seat, nor announced who he believes Gov. RON DESANTIS should appoint to replace MARCO RUBIO in the Senate — even as his daughter-in-law LARA TRUMP, co-chair of the Republican National Committee, has indicated her interest. Fine’s support for Trump in the 2024 GOP presidential primary marked a crucial turning point for Trump in defeating DeSantis. Fine had initially endorsed DeSantis but then, a couple of weeks after Hamas’ attack on Israel, he penned a scathing op-ed in the Washington Times that accused the governor of not doing enough to fight antisemitism in Florida. As part of the piece, Fine flipped to Trump, and several other state lawmakers soon followed. It’s not clear whether DeSantis will urge a loyalist to oppose Fine. Lake County Commissioner ANTHONY SABATINI told Playbook he believed the governor “has an obligation” to get involved, and said he would consider running himself. “Fine is a fraud and has no integrity,” he said, elaborating on X about his objections to Fine’s voting record. While others have been mulling a run, Trump’s endorsement is likely to freeze out the competition in the deeply red district and all but guarantee that Fine would be elected should he run. Disclosures show Fine has $1 million in his political committee, which could be transferred to a super PAC supporting a congressional run. “It would be the honor of my life to be one of your footsoldiers,” Fine replied to Trump in a post on X. “Your confidence is overwhelming and I will have news to share soon!” Fine has been sitting shiva after his mother’s recent death. Fine is the only Jewish Republican in the Florida Legislature. If he were to run for Congress and win, he would be one of four GOP Jewish representatives, counting the recent election of Rep.-elect CRAIG GOLDMAN of Texas. Fine often has indicated that a key reason he’s in politics is to support pro-Israel causes. “The Hebrew Hammer is going to Congress,” declared state Sen. JOE GRUTERS, a Trump ally. The timeline for the special election is TBD. Waltz hasn’t resigned his seat yet, and it’ll take several months to hold the election, given requirements that must be met under Florida law. It’s possible that Waltz may not resign until Trump takes office on Jan. 20, given Congress’ fragile GOP majority. Fine just won a Florida state Senate seat. Even if he runs for Congress, he would likely be able to serve throughout the entire legislative session that begins in March. That would give him plenty of time to inflict pain on the DeSantis administration, such as through his chairmanship of the Governmental Oversight and Accountability Committee. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget that Playbook should look at? Get in touch at: kleonard@politico.com. PROGRAMMING NOTE: Florida Playbook will be off Thursday for Thanksgiving and on Friday. We'll be back on Monday, Dec. 2.
| | | | A message from Instagram: Instagram Teen Accounts: automatic protections for teens
Parents want safer online experiences for their teens. That's why Instagram is introducing Teen Accounts, with automatic protections for who can contact teens and the content they can see.
A key factor: Only parents can approve safety setting changes for teens under 16.
Learn more. | | | |  | TRUMPLANDIA AND THE SWAMP | | ‘WINTER WHITE HOUSE’ — “Palm Beach, a Democratic pocket in Florida, becomes MAGA central,” reports The Wall Street Journal’s Deborah Acosta. “This discreet enclave of about 10,000 full-time residents is part of an area that has long tilted blue. While Florida went heavily for Trump on Election Day, voters in Palm Beach County slightly backed the Democratic presidential candidate, Kamala Harris. But with Trump spending so much time in the area, the town of Palm Beach is emerging as the biggest playground for the incoming administration and luminaries of the MAGA movement.” TRANSITION READY — Rep. MIKE WALTZ, Trump’s pick for national security adviser, held his first meeting earlier this week with outgoing national security adviser JAKE SULLIVAN, reported Axios’ Barak Ravid. The meeting, writes Ravid, “took place even though the Trump transition team hasn't signed a memorandum of understanding, allowing the transition process to begin.” Waltz said of the meeting on Fox News Sunday: “For our adversaries out there that think this is a time of opportunity, that they can play one administration off the other — they are wrong.” ‘GAETZ WITHOUT THE BAGGAGE?’ — “Swapping Bondi for Gaetz eases fears at Justice Department, but only a little,” reports POLITICO’s Josh Gerstein. “Trump’s selection of former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi as his new attorney general nominee was perceived by many DOJ veterans as less of a norm-shattering, unorthodox, in-your-face choice than Gaetz, a bellicose MAGA provocateur who was investigated by the department for years over sex-trafficking allegations without any charges being filed. ... “Current and former DOJ employees, granted anonymity to speak freely about internal discussions at the department, said they knew little about Bondi’s substantive work during eight years as Florida’s top law enforcement official. However, many agreed that experience seemed to give her the basic qualifications for the job, especially when compared to Gaetz, who only practiced law for a couple of years before getting into politics.” — As for the topic of Jan. 6, Bondi is mostly a blank slate, reports POLITICO’s Kyle Cheney. He writes: “There’s no record of Bondi commenting on the massive FBI manhunt to apprehend nearly 1,600 people for storming the Capitol that day, including hundreds who assaulted police.’ MORE FLORIDA CONNECTIONS — Trump on Friday night tapped former GOP Rep. DAVE WELDON, a physician who has raised concerns about vaccine safety, to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And Trump’s planned nominee for surgeon general, Dr. JANETTE NESHEIWAT, was raised in Florida. Per Florida Politics’ Jacob Ogles: “Notably, Nesheiwat’s sister, Julia Nesheiwat, served as Trump’s homeland security adviser in 2020 during [his] first term in the White House. Julia Nesheiwat is now married to Waltz.”
| | | | Want to know what's really happening with Congress's make-or-break spending fights? Get daily insider analysis of Hill negotiations, funding deadlines, and breaking developments—free in your inbox with Inside Congress. Subscribe now. | | | | | | | DATELINE D.C. | | | | 
Then-Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) on the second day of the Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on July 16, 2024. | Joe Raedle/Getty Images | WHAT’S NEXT FOR GAETZ? — Gaetz teased his next move throughout the weekend — including with a cryptic “What’s next?” post — on the heels of withdrawing from the attorney general confirmation process. He shared a gif of the Florida flag when Sabatini urged him to run for governor. He noted, when someone suggested Trump appoint him special counsel to go after the “deep state,” that the Biden administration has filed legal briefs arguing that such special counsels don’t need Senate confirmation. And he hinted that he would be exposing details about stock trading among members of Congress (a practice Gaetz and most Americans think should be illegal, and that is rampant with reporting violations). Gaetz was also spotted at Mar-a-Lago on Saturday night, alongside conservative podcaster CHARLIE KIRK and Argentinian President JAVIER MILEI. IN THE MEANTIME, HE’S CHARGING OVER $500 ON CAMEO — “Gaetz created an account on the app on which celebrities and other public figures can charge hundreds of dollars or more for personalized video messages,” reports POLITICO’s Lisa Kashinsky. His profile reads: “I served in Congress. Trump nominated me to be US Attorney General (that didn’t work out). Once I fired the House Speaker.” ELECTION DATE SET — Gaetz has already ruled out returning to Congress. The primary election to replace him is Jan. 28 and the general election is April 1. That was the earliest the state could do everything under Florida law, given requirements around qualifying, overseas ballot deadlines and the need to hold both a primary and general election. The seat is safely Republican. — The latest candidate to enter the race is former Escambia County Commissioner GENE VALENTINO, per Florida Politics Jacob Ogles.
| | | | A message from Instagram:   | | | | | CAMPAIGN MODE | | BEHIND THE CURTAIN — How Florida’s anti-pot legalization campaign rode the populist wave, by POLITICO’s Gary Fineout and Kimberly Leonard. The opposition campaign to Amendment 3, mounted by DeSantis allies, relied on focus groups and messaging — which was used to drum up needed financial support — to shift away from the usual anti-drug arguments, details of which were shared first with POLITICO. Instead of focusing on fears of crime or rampant drug use, they placed the spotlight on medical marijuana giant Trulieve, which wound up investing nearly $144 million into the yes campaign. The goal was clear: Persuade voters the amendment was simply a money-making scheme for a corporation. “You will not beat weed by being anti-weed, but by being anti-corporate,” said RYAN TYSON, a leading Florida-based pollster and longtime DeSantis adviser who worked on the “Vote No On 3” campaign. … Speaking of which: Truelieve is now seeking to develop a fourth medical marijuana dispensary in Escambia County, reports Edward Bunch III of the Pensacola News Journal.
| | | | Don't just read headlines—guide your organization's next move. POLITICO Pro's comprehensive Data Analysis tracks power shifts in Congress, ballot measures, and committee turnovers, giving you the deep context behind every policy decision. Learn more about what POLITICO Pro can do for you. | | | | | | | ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... | | | 
Florida Surgeon Gen. Dr. Joseph A. Ladapo before a bill signing. | Chris O'Meara/AP | ANGLING FOR A TRUMP ADMINISTRTION JOB? — “Florida surgeon general warns against fluoride in drinking water, mirroring RFK Jr.,” by POLITICO’s Arek Sarkissian. “Florida Surgeon General Joseph A. Ladapo on Friday warned residents against consuming fluoride in drinking water, saying the mineral may help with tooth decay but ongoing studies also show it could lead to behavioral problems in children. “Public water utilities have been adding fluoride to drinking water for decades as a way to promote good dental health. Ladapo wrote in his guidance that new studies have also shown that fluoride could cause adverse effects in children, including a reduced IQ, cognitive impairment and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. … Ladapo began drafting his recommendation against using fluoride in drinking water shortly before Trump won the election.” TECO RATE HIKE — “PSC recommends chopping elements of TECO’s rate hike request,” reports POLITICO’s Bruce Ritchie. “Public Service Commission staff on Friday recommended cutting by nearly half Tampa Electric Co.’s three-year, $445 million rate hike request. Agency staff proposed reducing the ask to $228 million over the first two years, with no increase in the third year. The recommendation is the first of two that the PSC is scheduled to use in December to set rates.” OIR DEMAND — “Florida regulators issue subpoenas to insurance industry critic,” reports Lawrence Mower of the Tampa Bay Times. “Weiss Ratings founder Martin Weiss wrote in October that homeowners insurers are ‘on the brink of a collapse’ and that homeowners are at a ‘high risk’ of not being paid for their claims related to hurricanes Helene and Milton. The Office of Insurance Regulation demanded that Weiss and his company turn over any emails, text messages and other records that back up those statements by Nov. 30.”
| | | | A message from Instagram: Introducing Instagram Teen Accounts: limits for teens, peace of mind for parents
Parents want their teens to grow and thrive - and to make sure they’re staying safe.
That’s why Instagram is launching Teen Accounts, with automatic protections limiting who can contact teens and the content they can see. Putting built-in limits in place for teens, so parents can have more peace of mind.
Learn more. | | | | | PENINSULA AND BEYOND | | REMOVED — “New College of Florida President Richard Corcoran strengthened his control over the school’s $48 million endowment Wednesday after he dismissed two vocal critics at the New College Foundation — an independent organization responsible for collecting and distributing charitable donations on behalf of the school,” reports the Tampa Bay Times’ Ian Hodgson. “Former Sarasota Magazine editor in chief Susan Burns, a New College alumnus, was dismissed by Corcoran, according to a letter reviewed by the Tampa Bay Times. Accountant Larry Geimer, who served on the board’s finance committee, resigned at Corcoran’s request.”
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