Nunez gets a boost from Gov. DeSantis

May 26, 2023

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Hello and welcome to Friday.

Rolling in the deep — The day after his glitch-ridden presidential campaign rollout on Twitter, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis made a string of appearances on mostly conservative media outlets — many of them on that old-fashioned technology known as radio — where he ventured forth on everything from former President Donald Trump to whether he would pardon those who took part in the Jan. 6 riots at the U.S. Capitol.

Hello — But he also gave a strong shoutout to Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez, who endorsed his presidential bid shortly after he officially jumped into the race.

Easy on me — During an appearance on Dana Loesch's show, DeSantis was asked would happen in Florida if he is elected president. “Our lieutenant governor would take the reins — Jeanette Nuñez. She’s done a great job. She’s been with us on all these different issues so you would see continuity in the governor’s office.”

Hometown glory — So why was this comment important? Because Nuñez’s future has been a source of constant speculation from both Democrats and from Republicans in Miami for several months. Part of the context is that while Nuñez does spend time in Tallahassee — especially during session — she still lives in Miami. This has led to suggestions that she doesn’t have the strongest connection to DeSantis and his inner circle.

Rumour Has It — And as the ramp-up for a presidential run mounted, the buzz was that Nuñez would find an exit lane and give DeSantis a chance to pick someone new to replace her. Some insisted that she was going to challenge incumbent Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava or maybe get some high-paying job in higher education.

Skyfall — Those in Nuñez’s orbit repeatedly insisted this was not true. Why would Nuñez give up a chance to become Florida’s first female and first Cuban-American governor if DeSantis is elected?

Take it all — All of this intrigue comes as several Republicans, including the three Cabinet members Attorney General Ashley Moody, Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson and Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, are seen as potential 2026 candidates to run for governor. Others seen as contenders also include both Reps. Matt Gaetz and Byron Donalds.

Right as rain — But that race would have a decidedly different vibe if Nuñez were the sitting incumbent governor — especially if she had the backing of a then-President DeSantis. Something to ponder.

— WHERE'S RON? — Nothing official announced for Gov. DeSantis.

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DESANTISLAND

GETTING INTO IT — “DeSantis is going after Trump like never before,” by CNN’s Steve Contorno and Kit Maher: “DeSantis – whose campaign raised $8.2 million in the first 24 hours, according to a campaign spokesperson – has filled the hours after his botched Twitter launch by taking his message to the familiar comforts of the conservative airwaves, where, in a dozen interviews, he has assailed Trump as fiscally irresponsible and a supporter of amnesty for undocumented immigrants. He said Trump’s Covid-19 mitigation policies ‘destroyed millions of people’s lives’ and told Fox News his ‘day one’ priority would be to fire the former president’s handpicked FBI director, Christopher Wray. Trump ‘is a different guy today than when he was running in 2015 and 2016,’ DeSantis told Tennessee conservative talk radio host Matt Murphy, adding, ‘I don’t know what happened to Donald Trump.’”

OUTLOOK — Here’s what top DeSantis lieutenants said in their private huddle with donors, by POLITICO’s Alex Isenstadt: Appearing before a private gathering of around 150 donors at the Four Seasons Hotel, three top DeSantis lieutenants — Ryan Tyson, Sam Cooper and Jason Johnson — argued that the governor remained poised throughout a malfunction-plagued appearance on Twitter Spaces, where he unveiled his candidacy in a conversation with billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk. They said DeSantis had a clear path to defeat former President Donald Trump, and added their belief that Florida would emerge as a key state that could help to determine the outcome of the nomination contest, according to two people present for the presentation.

Ron DeSantis speaks at a podium with an American flag behind him.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks during a fundraising picnic for Rep. Randy Feenstra on May 13, 2023, in Sioux Center, Iowa. | Charlie Neibergall/AP Photo

SHRUG — Iowa voters don’t think DeSantis’ Twitter failure is real life, by POLITICO’s Adam Wren: Ron DeSantis’ campaign announcement was exploding on the launch pad, but in a sweaty warehouse of an old machine supply company in western Iowa late Wednesday night, it was hard to find anyone among some 300 voters gathered for a Tim Scott town hall who knew it happened. Let alone cared or thought it would alter the race.

— “Ron DeSantis, welcome to the Flub Club,” by The Messenger’s Tom LoBianco and Richard Leiby

— “DeSantis’s Twitter event falls short of the reach of past livestreams,” by The New York Times’ Ryan Mac and Tiffany Hsu

— “The DeSantis-Musk alliance was a year in the making,” by CNN’s Steve Contorno

MAKE IT RAIN — “DeSantis campaign says it raised $8.2 million in first 24 hours,” by The New York Times’ Shane Goldmacher: “Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida raised $8.2 million in his first 24 hours as a presidential candidate, his campaign said on Thursday, a huge sum that cements his standing as the leading rival to Donald J. Trump. Mr. DeSantis’s campaign began on Wednesday evening with a glitch-filled kickoff on Twitter, but that apparently did not slow donor enthusiasm. The campaign said on Wednesday that it had raised $1 million during a single hour. The $8.2 million figure is more than the $6.3 million that Joseph R. Biden Jr. raised in his first 24 hours as a candidate in 2019, or the $6.1 million haul raised by former Representative Beto O’Rourke that same year.”

BUT, BUT, BUT — “Ron DeSantis administration officials solicit campaign cash from lobbyists,” by NBC News’ Matt Dixon and Jonathan Allen: “Officials who work for Gov. Ron DeSantis' administration — not his campaign — have been sending text messages to Florida lobbyists soliciting political contributions for DeSantis' presidential bid, a breach of traditional norms that has raised ethical and legal questions and left many here in the state capital shocked. NBC News reviewed text messages from four DeSantis administration officials, including those directly in the governor's office and with leadership positions in state agencies. They requested the recipient of the message contribute to the governor’s campaign through a specific link that appeared to track who is giving as part of a ‘bundle’ program.”

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JUMPING ON BOARD — Attorney General Moody becomes first Cabinet member to back DeSantis, by POLITICO’s Gary Fineout: Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody, a key ally in Gov. Ron DeSantis’ ongoing battles with the Biden administration, on Thursday endorsed DeSantis’ fledgling campaign for president. Moody becomes the first member of the Florida Cabinet, which is made up of three statewide elected Republicans, to publicly back DeSantis. In a brief video she posted on Twitter, Moody called him a “conservative leader we are all proud of.”

Elsewhere — Two days ago, the other two Cabinet members, Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson and Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, sidestepped questions about whether they would endorse the governor or Trump. “Would it make any difference?” Simpson said. “I think they are both great gentlemen.”

— One more Florida Republican is weighing in on the Trump vs. DeSantis question – and he’s picking Donald Trump. The rest, however aren’t endorsing just yet, by POLITICO’s Nancy Vu

THE RIGHT PROFILE — “Who is Ron DeSantis? Florida governor reveals few clues about what makes him tick,” by Orlando Sentinel’s Jeffrey Schweers: “This is how it typically goes whenever one tries to dig deeper into the roots of Ron DeSantis’ political ambitions and beliefs, the people and events that molded him into the person he is today. Every attempt to reach out to the people closest to him has been rebuffed or ignored, leaving many questions unanswered about who the intensely private Ron DeSantis really is, particularly why he has taken a hard line against the LGBTQ and transgender communities and minorities. And the most glaring omissions are the friends, mentors, teachers and coaches who helped shape his thinking about culture, politics and the Constitution.”

— “DeSantis plows ahead with whirlwind of friendly interviews and a tour,” by The New York Times’ Nicholas Nehamas, Maggie Astor and Alan Blinder

— “Is it ‘Dee-Santis’ or ‘Deh-Santis’ running for president?” by Orlando Sentinel’s Skyler Swisher

— “Friends to foes: How Trump and DeSantis’ relationship has deteriorated over the years,” by Associated Press’ Adriana Gomez Licon

— “Eyes on 2024: DeSantis’ rivals relish DeSantis’ rocky rollout,” by NBC News’ Bridget Bowman and Ben Kamisar

— “Ron DeSantis contends Casey DeSantis should be on ‘fashion magazine’ covers,” by Florida Politics’ A.G. Gancarski

— “DeSantis PAC adds fake fighter jets to launch video,” by Axios’ Alex Thompson

... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ...

WHAT’S IN YOUR WALLET? — “Fresh into campaign mode, Gov. DeSantis signs $1.3 billion tax cut package,” by Florida Politics’ Gray Rohrer: “One day after officially stepping into the race for President, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a $1.3 billion tax cut plan, with much of the savings aimed at consumers and businesses. The measure (HB 7063) reflects most of what DeSantis asked lawmakers to pass when he unveiled his tax plan in February. But the Legislature opted not to include the permanent cut in sales taxes on over-the-counter pet medications and the one-year sales tax exemption on pet food and “common household items” such as cleaning supplies that DeSantis included in his original plan.”

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‘OPEN SEASON FOR DEVELOPERS’ — DeSantis signs bill that opponents called ‘death knell’ for smart growth in Florida, by POLITICO’s Bruce Ritchie: Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday signed a bill opposed by environmental groups that allows cities, counties and developers to seek legal fees from challengers in a wider array of development disputes. DeSantis signed the bill, SB 540, on Wednesday without public comment prior to the scheduled announcement of his candidacy for president the same day. The bill extends a "loser pays" provision added to state law in 2019 for court cases involving only development plan challenges.

Response — While business groups said the measure will discourage costly development delays caused by litigation, environmentalists called the bill a "death knell" for smart growth in Florida because they say it will discourage citizen involvement in local planning. "This sprawl-enabling bill reeks of special interests who could care less about Florida’s natural resources," Jane West, policy and legal director of 1000 Friends of Florida, told POLITICO Wednesday after the bill signing.

— “Gov. DeSantis signs bipartisan bill cracking down on windshield repair lawsuits,” by Florida Politics’ Jesse Scheckner

TRUMPLANDIA AND THE SWAMP

AS THE PAGES TURN — “Trump workers moved Mar-a-Lago boxes a day before FBI came for documents,” by The Washington Post’s Devlin Barrett, Josh Dawsey, Spencer Hsu and Perry Stein: “Two of Donald Trump’s employees moved boxes of papers the day before an early June visit by FBI agents and a prosecutor to the former president’s Florida home to retrieve classified documents in response to a subpoena — timing that investigators have come to view as suspicious and an indication of possible obstruction, according to people familiar with the matter.”

FLORIDA CHAPTER PRESIDENT — “Second Oath Keeper sentenced to 12 years in prison for Jan. 6 Capitol riot,” by Fox News’ Greg Wehner: “Oath Keepers Florida chapter leader Kelly Meggs was sentenced to 12 years in prison Thursday for seditious conspiracy and other charges related to the U.S. Capitol breach on Jan. 6, 2021. This is the second sentence to be handed down to a defendant found guilty of seditious conspiracy with relation to the Jan. 6 riot, with the first being handed to Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes, who was sentenced Thursday to 18 years in prison. Rhodes received the longest sentence, to date, related to the attack on the Capitol. Along with a 12-year prison sentence, Meggs, 53, of Dunnellon, Florida, was also sentenced to three years of supervised release.”

— “Fox News sets Trump Town Hall moderated by Sean Hannity,” by The Wrap’s Loree Seitz

...HURRICANE HOLE...

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UNWELCOME VISITORS — “NOAA meteorologists released their hurricane forecast today. Here’s what they expect,” by Tampa Bay Times’ Max Chesnes and Michaela Mulligan: “Two conflicting factors are steering the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season: balmy ocean waters and a likely El Niño. But just where the season will take us is uncertain. Federal meteorologists are predicting the presence of the dueling tropical elements will mean a near-normal hurricane season this year. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced Thursday it is predicting 12 to 17 named storms, of which five to nine will become hurricanes and one to four will reach major hurricane strength. Major hurricanes have sustained winds of 111 miles per hour or greater.”

— “A new hurricane season is near. In Fort Myers Beach, the old one never left,” by Tampa Bay Times’ Max Chesnes

PENINSULA AND BEYOND

‘WE’LL NAVIGATE IT’ — “Pride celebration organizers grapple with new Florida laws on drag, transgender rights,” by Orlando Sentinel’s Amanda Rabines: “In the small south-central Florida city of Sebring, a ‘Bearded Lady’ contest almost got an upcoming Pride celebration canceled. ‘Is that not really another name for a drag queen show?’ Sebring City Council Member Terry Mendel asked Highlands County LGBT+ Caucus director Christopher Davies during a May 16 public meeting. Davies was seeking approval for road closures for the fourth-annual Highlands County Pride Fest on June 11. ‘It does seem to me that this is going to result in inappropriate displays of sexuality in front of our children, so I’m very concerned about that,’ Mendel said. Davies told city council members the ‘Bearded Lady’ contest is a costume contest and not sexual in nature.”

— “State attorney charges Osceola deputy who set motorcyclist ablaze with Taser,” by Orlando Sentinel’s Cristóbal Reyes

— “Jax mayor-elect Donna Deegan rolls out bipartisan transition team,” by Florida Politics’ A.G. Gancarski

— “New billion-dollar water system in Florida Keys sent raw sewage into the ocean, state says,” by FLKeysNews.com’s David Goodhue

ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN

BIRTHDAYS: Former Rep. Rich Nugent … Law professor Ben Cavataro …

(Saturday) Republican Party of Florida Chair Christian Ziegler

(Sunday) Sen. Marco Rubio … former state Rep. Mel Ponder … Craig Waters, former communications director for the Supreme Court of Florida

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