| | | | |  | | By Kimberly Leonard and Gary Fineout | | Presented by |  | | | |  Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis speaks at the Republican Party of Florida Freedom Summit in Kissimmee, Florida, on Nov. 4, 2023. | Phelan M. Ebenhack/AP | Good morning and happy Friday. The qualifying period for the special election in the 1st Congressional District to replace former Rep. MATT GAETZ ends at noon today. At least eight Republicans have qualified to run for the seat as of this morning, with Florida Chief Financial Officer JIMMY PATRONIS likely leading the pack, given that he has the coveted endorsement of President-elect DONALD TRUMP. He also has the backing of Republican leaders in the House, including Speaker MIKE JOHNSON, Majority Leader STEVE SCALISE and Majority Whip TOM EMMER. Patronis won’t be officially leaving his current role until the end of March, his resignation letter says. Other Republicans who’ve qualified include state Rep. JOEL RUDMAN, a family physician who’s in a rock band and already filed his resignation from the Legislature, as well as former Escambia County Commissioner GENE VALENTINO. A Gen Z candidate has qualified as well, MICHAEL DYLAN THOMPSON. The lone Democrat running so far is GAY VALIMONT, who already lost a bid against Gaetz in November by 32 points in this deep-red Panhandle seat. She has worked in advocacy as the Florida leader for the nonprofit gun-safety group Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America and has suffered personal tragedy after losing her son to brain cancer and her husband to ALS, a fatal neurodegenerative disorder. “I know what it is like to spend some of the last days of my husband's and child’s life fighting insurance companies over medications and treatments,” she said. “I know what it's like to have to bury my family and be left with medical debt.” Valimont’s previous congressional race focused heavily on ousting Gaetz, saying in her campaign video that he was “born into privilege” and was “more focused on personal gains than the needs of our community.” She had also predicted that he would leave his term early due to expulsion and said she’d run again when the next opportunity came up. “This campaign is not about me, and it's certainly not about Matt Gaetz,” she said in a mid-November statement announcing her planned run. “It’s about us.” In her latest release, she blasted Gaetz as “plagued by scandal and a thirst for fame.” The Florida Democratic Party is fielding candidates for this race as well as the 6th District seat that Rep. MIKE WALTZ (R-Fla.) will vacate soon to join the Trump administration, said EDEN GIAGNORIO, spokesperson for the state party. “We’re not going to just let Republicans walk into office without a fight,” she said. “We will use these special elections to hold Florida Republicans accountable, register voters and re-enroll Democrats in vote-by-mail.” Qualification for Waltz’s seat begins today and ends at noon on Saturday. The 1st District candidates are doing a campaign forum on Monday, according to the Navarre Press. The primary is set for Jan. 28, and the special election is set for April 1. The seat will have no representation for several months until it's filled. As for Gaetz, he hasn’t said yet what his plans are next, although he has teased a 2026 run for governor in the past. He has been cheerleading Trump’s Cabinet picks on social media, as well as certain policy ideas floated by members of Congress, including one that would provide IVF for military personnel. — Kimberly Leonard and Gary Fineout 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.
| | | | A message from Instagram: Instagram Teen Accounts: a protected experience for teens, guided by parents
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Learn more. | | | |  | ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... | | |  Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks during a news conference in Tampa, Florida, on Aug. 4, 2022. DeSantis announced he was suspending State Attorney Andrew Warren of the 13th Judicial Circuit due to "neglect of duty." | Chris O'Meara/AP Photo | KEEPING IT GOING — “Andrew Warren isn’t ending his legal fight with DeSantis,” reports POLITICO’s Gary Fineout. “Lawyers representing the former Hillsborough County prosecutor, a Democrat who was suspended by the Republican governor in 2022, urged a federal appeals court this week to keep intact Warren’s ongoing lawsuit against DeSantis. Judges with the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals last month asked whether the litigation was moot since State Attorney Suzy Lopez defeated Warren in November. … “In a response to the court, Warren’s lawyers stated that DeSantis has delayed the resolution of the case to ‘evade judgment.’ Warren’s attorneys said that the violation of his rights could also entitle him to potential compensation for the time he was out of office. The brief also says that DeSantis could act against Warren again if he were to run for office in the future.” PUTTING IT OFF — “Florida punts CHIP expansion to Trump administration amid continued eligibility demands,” reports POLITICO’s Arek Sarkissian. “Florida state officials are rejecting an offer for a long sought-after expansion of the KidCare insurance program from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, saying there are strings attached that they called another political move by the Biden administration. In order for KidCare to start offering partially-subsidized health care for children from families with an income up to $90,000, the state would have to continue providing coverage even if parents don’t pay a monthly premium, the federal agency said. The stipulation is a sticking point between the Biden administration and DeSantis, in a fight over the way state health regulators removed more than 1 million people from Medicaid last year after federal Covid-19 pandemic dollars dried up.” INVESTIGATIVE SERIES: “A gambling underworld: Players and police accuse illegal Florida casinos of cheating,” by David Fleshler of the South Florida Sun Sentinel. “Law enforcement officials say players routinely get cheated at Florida’s hundreds of illegal casinos, which can be found on roads and strip malls throughout the state. Although they can be immensely profitable for their owners, the casinos can be disastrous for players, particularly gambling addicts for whom they’re all too convenient.” — “Florida homeowner featured on ‘60 Minutes’ wants class-action case against insurer,” reports Lawrence Mower of the Tampa Bay Times. LEGISLATION ROUNDUP — A bill to provide free school lunches to all public school students has been introduced by state Sen. LORI BERMAN (D-Boynton Beach) … and another to provide 12 weeks of parental leave to state workers. … A bill from state Sen. DANNY BURGESS (R-Zephyrhills) would provide peer support for first responders.
| | | | REGISTER NOW: As the 118th Congress ends, major decisions loom, including healthcare appropriations. Key focus: site neutrality. Can aligning hospital and clinic costs cut federal spending, reflect physician costs, and lower patient expenses? Join policymakers and providers to discuss. | | | | | | | PENINSULA AND BEYOND | | ON HOLD — “Florida A&M University trustees postponed selecting a search firm to find a new school president on Thursday to ensure that any potential headhunters will comply with the state’s law prohibiting hiring based on diversity, equity and inclusion — or DEI — criteria,” reports POLITICO’s Andrew Atterbury. “The decision, which came down to an 8-5 vote, is a sign of the intense pressure facing Florida university leaders as they carry out presidential searches that hinge on the final approval of state officials. FAMU is searching for a president to replace Larry Robinson, who resigned in July amid a probe into a dubious failed $237 million donation to the university. JOB LOSSES AHEAD — “Boeing to lay off 141 in Florida including at Space Coast operations,” reports Richard Tribou of the South Florida Sun Sentinel. “The workforce reduction statement said the permanent layoffs will begin Jan. 17 at 18 offices in the state.” — “Bahamas, Turks & Caicos tell Trump they will not be dumping grounds for U.S. migrants,” reports the Miami Herald’s Jacqueline Charles. BACKLASH — “Leon Commissioner O'Keefe post on murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO prompts condemnation,” reports Jeff Burlew and Arianna Otero of the Tallahassee Democrat. “On Wednesday night, O’Keefe posted a Rolling Stone article headlined ‘Social Media Has Little Sympathy for Murdered Health Insurance Exec’ — along with his own unfazed take. ‘Posting without comment,’ O’Keefe wrote while including the inspection emoji. ‘Sincerely, Adult child of parents who had medical debt bankruptcy.’”
| | | | A message from Instagram:   | | | | | TRUMPLANDIA AND THE SWAMP | | | 
Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) speaks during a press conference at the U.S. Capitol on Nov. 19, 2024. | Francis Chung/POLITICO | WHAT DESANTIS IS READING — Sen. JONI ERNST (R-Iowa) told RealClearPolitics’ Philip Wegmann on Thursday that she hasn’t decided how she’ll vote on PETE HEGSETH’s confirmation to lead the Defense Department. She also dispelled a rumor that she was seeking the job for herself. She told Wegmann: “I just want to make sure the process is able to play out and that we’re thoroughly vetting him. I do believe that Pete deserves to have a hearing." DeSantis and Waltz are both on Trump’s shortlist to replace Hegseth if his nomination collapses. Ernst said of DeSantis: “I do think he would be a good candidate for this position. But as I’ve told reporters, as they ask me in the hallway, Hegseth is the nominee, and the president will determine who that nominee is.” (See POLITICO’s Cabinet pick tracker.) NOT SO FAST — “Ambitions, bills and grudges: Reasons DeSantis for Defense secretary may never happen,” by the Miami Herald’s Alexandra Glorioso and Max Greenwood. One consideration: “Serving in a Cabinet post would … limit DeSantis’ ability to criticize or distance himself from the Trump administration in a future presidential bid. If he remains in the governor’s mansion for another two years, DeSantis could still play the role of Trump ally, while maintaining an air of independence from the president-elect and his agenda.” THE OTHER FACTOR — Hegseth says he’s not going anywhere, reports POLITICO’s Mia McCarthy and Connor O’Brien. “I'm proud to be here,” Hegseth said. “And as long as Donald Trump wants me in this fight, I'm going to be standing right here in this fight, fighting to bring our Pentagon back to what it needs to be.” WHAT SENATOR WANNABES ARE WATCHING — Republican National Committee Co-chair LARA TRUMP, who has been floated as a potential replacement for Sen. MARCO RUBIO (R-Fla.), avoided answering a question about her political future on Fox News Thursday, calling it “the big question” when asked what her next role would be. “I'm trying to figure out what my future looks like now,” she said. “I'm fortunate I have a lot of things potentially in front of me. As soon as I make a decision I promise to let everybody know.” The host, BILL HEMMER, then asked Lara Trump where her residency was — whether it was in Florida or North Carolina, where she’s thought about running for Senate before. She responded that she’d been a Floridian for the last 3.5 years. “There might be a hint there,” Hemmer quipped. AND THIS — CBS12 News reporter Dylan Huberman asked Florida Attorney General ASHLEY MOODY indirectly if she was interested in getting appointed to replace Rubio, who has been tapped by Trump to be secretary of state. “That was a great segue, you’re so talented at your job!” Moody said, laughing. “You know Florida has such great leaders”
| | | | Billions in spending. Critical foreign aid. Immigration reform. The final weeks of 2024 could bring major policy changes. Inside Congress provides daily insights into how Congressional leaders are navigating these high-stakes issues. Subscribe today. | | | | | | | DATELINE D.C. | | STILL UP IN THE AIR — The House ethics panel met again on Thursday to decide whether to release a report that probes allegations into Gaetz, but didn’t arrive at a decision, reports POLITICO’s Nicholas Wu, Daniella Diaz and Olivia Beavers. ON THE FLOOR — Two Democratic-led efforts to force the release of the Gaetz ethics report failed on Thursday along party lines, reports POLITICO’s Anthony Adragna and Nicholas Wu. HEADING FOR SIGNAGE — A bill that would allow for tax breaks for certain storm-related losses just passed the Senate and is headed to President JOE BIDEN, reports Florida Politics’ Jacob Ogles. Rep. GREG STEUBE (R-Fla.) and Sen. RICK SCOTT (R-Fla.) introduced the legislation.
| | ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN | | — The congregation of manatees is just one sign of the weather getting colder, reports the Tampa Bay Times. BIRTHDAYS: Nancy Brinker, founder of Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and co-founder of Promise Fund of Florida ... former state Rep. Carlos Lacasa … (Saturday) Tampa Mayor Jane Castor ... Tallahassee Mayor John Dailey … former state Rep. Elizabeth Fetterhoff … Progress Florida’s Mark Ferrulo … (Sunday) Douglas Lyons, journalist and former press secretary for Rep. Lois Frankel.
| | | | A message from Instagram: Instagram Teen Accounts: automatic protections for teens
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