Andrew Warren speaks on his suspension, campaign and record

Jun 27, 2024

TONIGHT — The first presidential debate between former Republican President Donald Trump and Democratic President Joe Biden. Follow along with POLITICO’s coverage.

Andrew Warren holds a press conference.

Suspended Hillsborough County State Attorney Andrew Warren. | Octavio Jones/Getty Images

Good morning and welcome to Thursday.

Suspended Hillsborough County state attorney Andrew Warren has sued to be reinstated to the seat he lost when Gov. Ron DeSantis tossed him out of office two years ago. Meanwhile, he’s campaigning to return to his role.

“We have all the momentum, strong fundraising, grassroots enthusiasm and most importantly: a track record of success,” Warren told Playbook in an interview.

When the governor was on the presidential campaign trail, he used to boast about ousting Warren, a twice-elected progressive Democrat, and another Democratic state attorney, Monique Worrell of Orlando. DeSantis took issue with Warren signing statements in 2022 saying he wouldn’t enforce the state’s abortion restrictions — which at the time were set at 15 weeks — or go after medical practitioners who deliver transgender care, at a time when Florida didn’t have the restrictions it does now. Warren said the retaliation was a violation of free speech rights.

He learned of his suspension over email while sitting in a grand jury charging two men with rapes and murders that had gone unpunished for 39 years, he said, after getting an innocent man exonerated in the case.

Before facing off against Republican state attorney Suzy Lopez — who was appointed to the role by DeSantis after Warren’s suspension — Warren faces a primary against Democrat Elizabeth Martinez Strauss. Strauss has said at public events that she’s mainly running in case Warren doesn’t get reinstated — or if DeSantis were to throw him out of office again, per the Tampa Bay Times. Campaign finance documents show money-wise Warren still has a ways to go to catch up with Lopez.

In an interview with Playbook, Warren said his campaign was about “core American values, free speech, democracy and the rule of law.” He also addressed other questions about his positions and his record.

On defending his record before DeSantis had him removed …

Warren insisted his goal was public safety, pointing to lower crime data up to 2020, the latest year available. “We prioritized prosecuting the most serious crimes,” he said. “We steered low-level offenders away from the downward spiral of the system. We went after domestic abusers. We engaged with the community, we had success with rehabilitation and prevention as well as punishments and accountability … It's about making sure that we're not criminalizing poverty, that we're helping people who suffer from mental illness and substance abuse get the help they need so that they don't reoffend.”

On DeSantis saying he’d use his “Freedom Fund” political committee to get involved in the race …

“At least the governor finally realizes the legal way to keep someone from serving in office,” Warren said.

Asked whether he was concerned it would affect the race, given DeSantis’ 19-point victory in 2022, he said no. “We've beaten the governor in court,” he said, “and we'll beat him at the ballot box as well.”

On whether he would enforce Florida’s current six-week abortion restriction …

“I'm proudly pro-choice,” he said. “I don't think sending doctors or women to prison makes our communities safer. But as a prosecutor, I'll do what I've always done, which is to consider the facts and circumstances of each case and exercise discretion.”

Pressed on what that would mean, he offered a hypothetical.

“There's a difference between an abortion performed at 23 weeks at Tampa General Hospital, when there's a question of whether it was a day past viability, versus a back-alley abortion, performed at 38 weeks,” he said. “One of those cases is clearly more prosecutable than the other. But it always depends on the facts of the case.”

On whether he’d run for any other office …

Warren acknowledged supporters have encouraged him to run for governor, state attorney general or U.S. Senate.

But he said his goal for the last two years has been about only one thing. “I have received a lot of encouragement to run for higher office, and it's great to have people have such confidence and trust in your ability,” he said. “But my focus is on being back in the state attorney's office to serve the people in Hillsborough.”

Playbook will publish an interview with Republican state attorney Suzy Lopez in the coming days.

WHERE’S RON? Gov. DeSantis has a press conference in Auburndale, Florida, at 10 a.m. with Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Jared Perdue.

Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for Playbook? Get in touch at: kleonard@politico.com

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... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ...

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis delivers his State of the State address from a dais.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis delivers his State of the State address during a joint session of the Florida legislature at the Florida State Capitol in Tallahassee, Florida, on Jan. 9, 2024. | Francis Chung/POLITICO

MORE VETOES — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has set a record during his fifth year as governor.

DeSantis on Wednesday vetoed another four bills from the 2024 session, bringing his total for this year to 12 bills. His previous high-water mark was when he vetoed 11 bills following the 2022 session.

The batch he vetoed on Wednesday evening included one bill (HB 473) that had been strongly opposed by many Democrats. The legislation would have shielded companies and local government from lawsuits over data breaches if they followed notice requirements and put in cybersecurity measures.

DeSantis has been bullish in the past on supporting limits on various types of lawsuits, such as the limits placed on lawsuits against insurance companies. But in his veto letter he expressed skepticism about the restrictions contained in the bill dealing with data breaches.

“The bill could result in Floridians’ data being less secure as the bill provides across-the-board protections for only substantially complying with standards,” DeSantis wrote. “This incentivizes doing the minimum when protecting consumer data. While my administration has prioritized policies to reduce frivolous litigation, the bill before me today may result in a consumer having inadequate resources if a breach occurs.”

The governor also vetoed legislation (HB 165) that would have required state health officials to issue advisories within 24 hours for high bacteria levels found in waters and to close beaches if necessary. During session Democratic and Republican legislators said the measure was necessary to protect residents and the reputation of Florida’s tourism industry. Republican state Sen. Gayle Harrell, for example, said she had a friend who nearly lost an arm after getting a virulent infection when she fell off a dock and into the water.

But DeSantis said he could not go along with giving the power to close beaches, waterways, or pools to the Department of Health, saying in his veto letter that “this grant of power to DOH over Florida beaches is ill-advised.”

The governor also vetoed a bill (HB 133) that would have made it easier for former convicts to obtain a license to be a barber and cosmetologist.

DeSantis now has 11 bills left on his desk, but there is a push to veto several of the measures he has remaining, including one dealing with vacation rentals.

— Gary Fineout

ABORTION FIEC FRACAS — The committee behind a ballot initiative that seeks to abolish the state’s ban on abortions after six weeks of pregnancy has asked a state appellate court to uphold a decision ordering the Legislature to rewrite a fiscal impact statement.

The Floridians Protecting Freedom committee filed a brief on Tuesday asking the 1st District Court of Appeal to uphold a Leon County Circuit Court judge’s ruling made earlier this month that ordered a legislative fiscal review panel to revisit the fiscal impact created by the initiative, known as Amendment 4.

If approved by 60 percent of voters in November, Amendment 4 would roll back the state’s ban on abortions to around 24 weeks of pregnancy. Florida ballot initiatives are required to include a financial impact statement illustrating the impact of the measure on state dollars.

The financial impact statement for Amendment 4 was completed by a consortium of state economists known as the Financial Impact Estimating Conference in November, which was several months before the 6-week ban eventually took effect. Floridians Protecting Freedom successfully sued the Legislature to reconvene the state Financial Impact Estimating Conference, and lawyers on behalf of state Attorney General Ashley Moody filed for the appellate court review.

Moody’s lawyers told the appeals court that Leon Circuit Court Judge John C. Cooper did not have jurisdiction over the financial impact statement. Lawyers for Floridians Protecting Freedom argued in its reply brief filed on Tuesday that circuit courts were granted such jurisdiction by the state Supreme Court.

— Arek Sarkissian

LAWS ON EXPRESSION — “New laws that involve the First Amendment are soon taking effect in Florida,” reports Douglas Soule of USA Today Network — Florida. “A number of the bills that passed during the 2024 Florida legislative session are taking effect July 1. And some of the most high-profile legislation involves the constitutionally protected right to free expression — and possibly even collides with it. They implicate areas ranging from strip clubs to campaign advertisements, from schools to emergency scenes.”

PENINSULA AND BEYOND

TODAY — Board meeting for the Central Tourism Oversight District at 4:15 p.m. (Details.)

NEW ARRIVALS — “More than 100 Haitian migrants land in Key West. They spent seven days at sea,” by the Miami Herald’s David Goodhue. “The boat arrived about 100 yards off the 1800 Atlantic condominiums near Higgs Beach around 3:40 a.m., according to the sheriff’s office. About 117 people — 87 males and 30 females, including some children — were on the vessel, according to a dispatch provided to the Herald by the agency.”

HOMELESSNESS LAW — “Pinellas officers track where people sleep outside ahead of DeSantis law,” by the Tampa Bay Times’ Justin Garcia. “Pinellas County law enforcement agencies are getting a head start on complying with a state law that will criminalize sleeping outside in public spaces starting in October. For more than two months, the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office has led a multiagency effort to track where people are sleeping outside and the number of people at each location, according to an agency document obtained by the Tampa Bay Times. The sheriff’s office said the agency wants to make sure jurisdictions throughout Pinellas are ready to observe the law. A spokesperson said officers and social workers are using the list to approach homeless people to educate them and provide them with legal options.”

J6 ARREST — “Troy V. Garrett arrested on federal charges related U.S. Capitol breach on Jan. 6, 2021,” by Melissa E. Holsman of Treasure Coast Newspapers. “A Stuart man federal authorities identified Wednesday as a member of the Proud Boys is facing charges of assaulting a law enforcement officer and other offenses related to his alleged conduct on Jan. 6, 2021, during a breach of the U.S. Capitol building, U.S. Department of Justice officials announced. FBI agents in Stuart on Wednesday arrested Troy Vincent Garrett, 48, before he made an initial appearance at the federal courthouse in Fort Pierce, according to a news release issued by the U. S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia.”

...HURRICANE HOLE...

STORM WATCH — “Hurricane center monitoring system that could form in the Caribbean next week,” by the Miami Herald’s Alex Harris. “The first Atlantic-born storm of the season could form in the Caribbean next week, forecasters said. The National Hurricane Center began tracking the system officially on Wednesday morning, when it tagged the tropical wave with a 30 percent chance of development in the next seven days. The hurricane center noted the system was moving west at a fast clip — 15 to 20 mph — and could slowly strengthen as it goes.”

CAMPAIGN MODE

TODAY — More than 100 county commissioners will endorse Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) for reelection at an event in Orlando. Scott is set to deliver the keynote speech at the Florida Association of Counties annual conference, where he’ll also receive the Legislative Excellence Award. Charlotte County Commissioner Bill Truex praised Scott’s involvement in hurricane relief as part of the endorsement.

“From disaster funding to protecting Florida’s environment, fighting for Florida’s local communities has been one of my top priorities in Washington and I will continue to do so when I’m re-elected,” Scott said in a statement.

EYES EMOJI — Florida Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson, who’s widely viewed as considering the 2026 gubernatorial race, made a stop at Mar-a-Lago yesterday.

DATELINE D.C.

U.S. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) attends a Freedom Caucus press conference on the government funding bill at the U.S. Capitol on March 22, 2024 in Washington, DC. | Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

‘CONTEMPT OF CONGRESS’ MOVE — “Luna to force vote on obscure maneuver forcing sergeant-at-arms to detain Garland,” reports The Hill’s Emily Brooks and Rebecca Beitsch. “Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) will move within days to force a vote on having the House sergeant-at-arms forcibly bring Attorney General Merrick Garland before the House by holding him in “inherent contempt” over his refusal to turn over audio of President Biden’s interview with special counsel Robert Hur. Luna sent a letter to her colleagues Monday saying she will call up her inherent contempt resolution ‘in the next few days.’ When she raises the question of privilege, leaders will have to schedule action on the resolution within two legislative days.”

… DESANTIS WEIGHS IN ON DC HAPPENINGS …

— “Ron DeSantis rips SCOTUS ruling on social media censorship,” by Florida Politics’ A.G. Gancarski. “Florida’s Governor is taking to social media to decry social media censorship, after a SCOTUS ruling said Louisiana, Missouri and social media users lacked standing to sue over the federal government’s push for platforms to remove COVID misinformation at the height of the pandemic. ‘The Court majority has rubber-stamped a way for the federal government to censor speech that it doesn’t like,’ posted Gov. Ron DeSantis to X.” More from POLITICO’s Rebecca Kern and Josh Gerstein on the ruling.

— ‘We will not comply’ DeSantis says of U.S. surgeon general’s advisory on gun violence,” reports the Florida Phoenix’s Mitch Perry. “Gov. Ron DeSantis is once again declaring that Florida won’t go along with a directive from the Biden administration, this time in regard to the advisory on gun violence announced this week by U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy … [A report he released details] how gun-related injuries have become the leading cause of death for children and adolescents since 2020 … Among the policy changes Murthy listed are universal background checks, expanding purchaser licensing laws, banning assault weapons and large-capacity magazines for civilian use, and creating safer conditions in public places related to firearm use and carry.”

Understand 2024’s big impacts with Pro’s extensive Campaign Races Dashboard, exclusive insights, and key coverage of federal- and state-level debates. Focus on policy. Learn more.

ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN

BIRTHDAYS: State Sen. Lori Berman … former Rep. Jeff Miller … Simone Marstiller of Gunster … Pat Roberts, president and CEO of Florida Association of Broadcasters.