| | | | |  | | By Kimberly Leonard | Presented by Duke Energy | | 
Susie Wiles watches as Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump speaks at a caucus night party in Des Moines, Iowa, Monday, Jan. 15, 2024. | Andrew Harnik/AP Photo | Good morning and welcome to Wednesday. Florida has become the epicenter of the Republican ecosystem. That’s why it’s probably no surprise that advisers to former President Donald Trump are already weighing a couple of Floridians to serve in a potential future Trump administration. Trump campaign senior adviser Susie Wiles is in contention for the chief of staff position if the former president should get elected in November, per a report in Axios that cited anonymous “Trump sources.” That same report also has Sen. Marco Rubio in consideration for secretary of state — something many Florida Republicans have already said they see as a natural next step for Florida’s senior senator given his expertise, committee assignments and role in helping Trump craft policy on Latin America. Wiles is a Republican political operative extraordinaire who’s widely credited with turning the Trump campaign into a highly organized, disciplined machine despite the former president’s penchant for chaos and unpredictability. She’s an alum of both the Rick Scott and Ron DeSantis gubernatorial campaigns — and a falling out with the latter prepped her to help Trump come out on top during a hotly contested 2024 primary. “She would be an exceptional hire,” said Carlos Trujillo, who’s been friends with Wiles for over 15 years and was United States ambassador to the Organization of American States under Trump. He cited Wiles’ “loyalty to the president for many, many years; her competency in managing very difficult situations and her ability to build and motivate teams” as “great skills that she could transcend into a chief of staff position.” Trujillo said Wiles’ specialty was “managing personalities and managing information.” Leaks or personnel who tried to sabotage the operation from the inside in past campaigns had "disappeared" from this cycle, he said. Wiles had repeatedly recruited, coached and mentored people throughout their careers, he added. “Her professional staff is some of the best, who have worked with her for a long time and are dead loyal to her and to her vision,” he said. Even Democratic megadonor John Morgan said he thought Wiles would be “terrific” as White House chief of staff. He told Playbook in a text message: “No ego. No drama. Consummate pro. She makes the trains run on time.” As for Rubio, he would be in a familiar situation from just a couple of weeks ago, it seems. The Axios report goes on to say he’d again be competing with former veep rival North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, as well as a couple of other possible contenders. The story floats Burgum for energy secretary as well, and Rubio for commerce secretary. Rubio told POLITICO’s Mia McCarthy that he had not “ever” heard about a possible secretary of state position from Trump. He called the talk “just press stuff,” adding that only journalists had told him he might be considered for the Trump administration role. “I never thought about it,” Rubio said at the Capitol last night. “I really haven’t. I can’t worry about things that haven’t been presented to me.” Should Trump win, many of his allies see it as only the beginning of mining Florida for talent. “If you look at our House delegation — [Reps.] Byron Donalds, Mike Waltz — going up and down that list are people who could really step up in a Trump administration and serve with distinction,” said Brian Ballard, president of the lobbying firm Ballard Partners. “Florida has the deepest bench of any state in the country right now on the Republican side of the aisle.” Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget in the campaign reporting that Playbook should look at? Get in touch at: kleonard@politico.com.
| | | | A message from Duke Energy: Duke Energy is improving the grid to meet the growing need for reliable electricity in Florida. Strengthening the grid helps reduce outages for homes and businesses across the state. Strategic investments in equipment upgrades and grid technology are helping reroute power to avoid outages and keep the lights on for Florida’s growing communities. Learn more about how Duke Energy is improving the grid for Florida. | | | |  | ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... | | ANTI-POT AMENDMENT — “Just say no: Florida Sheriffs Association takes position opposing recreational marijuana amendment,” by Florida Politics’ Christine Jordan Sexton. “The group that represents Florida’s Sheriffs — which has often aligned itself with the state’s Republicans — is taking a formal stance against the amendment that would allow recreational marijuana. The Florida Sheriffs Association released its resolution … [stating] that recreational marijuana is contrary to the ‘interest of the public health safety and welfare and desires to preserve the rights of citizens to live and work in a community where drug use is not normalized and citizens are not affected by the adverse effects of drug misuse.’” CASH INFUSION — “Why is Florida getting federal money for lead pipes that don’t exist?” by the New Republic’s Nick Tabor. “It’s unclear who is responsible for the anomaly. The process started when the Environmental Protection Agency sent a survey to states, asking how many lead pipes they needed to replace, and also requesting information about how many pipes were made of ‘unknown’ material — i.e., hadn’t been checked. The inspector general of the EPA has concluded that two states — the inspector general did not say which ones — sent back incorrect data, though it also faulted the EPA for not verifying the figures. Meanwhile, Florida is blaming the federal government, saying the problem is the EPA’s flawed methodology for calculating states’ needs.” SUSPENSION FOLLOW — “Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis seeks to nix Monique Worrell case,” reports Jim Saunders of News Service of Florida. “Gov. Ron DeSantis is trying to end a legal challenge to his controversial decision last year to suspend Orlando-area State Attorney Monique Worrell. State lawyers Friday filed a 25-page motion arguing that a federal judge should dismiss a lawsuit filed by two residents and the group Florida Rising Together that alleges DeSantis violated voters’ due-process and First Amendment rights in the suspension. The motion makes a series of arguments, including that the plaintiffs lack legal standing and that DeSantis did not violate federal constitutional rights with his decision.” FILM INCENTIVES — “Can Florida’s lagging film industry attract big-budget movies and TV again?” by WLRN’s Wilkine Brutus. Beautiful coastlines. Swamps. Vibrant neighborhoods and urban scenes. What’s not to like about shooting scripted Hollywood films and television series in Florida? Well — the cost. It’s much more ‘reasonable to shoot in Atlanta or Louisiana and pretend it's Florida,’ said Bill Lawrence, a Hollywood producer best known for television series like Scrubs and Ted Lasso. Florida’s film and TV industry has been in decline since the state dissolved its last major financial incentive program nearly a decade ago, which had offered performance-based incentives like cash rebates and tax credits to attract productions.”
| | | | DID YOU MISS IT? On Tuesday, POLITICO and McKinsey convened three conversations in D.C. with policymakers and space experts, including NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. The discussions also featured a panel of experts, an interview with Sens. John Hickenlooper (D-CO) and Jerry Moran (R-KS) and an executive conversation with McKinsey's Ryan Brukardt.
The conversations focused on the next great innovation frontier – the space industry, including deeper discussion around which sectors of the global economy see their growth arc in space and what the role of government leaders is in expanding and regulating the growing number of orbital ideas. CATCH UP AND WATCH HIGHLIGHTS HERE | | | | | | | PENINSULA AND BEYOND | | JOB OPENING — “After Sasse’s exit, what’s next for UF? Likely a quiet — and costly — search,” by the Tampa Bay Times’ Divya Kumar. “As former president Kent Fuchs prepares to step into the role of interim president, the university eyes a more distant horizon. It will search for a leader who can drive UF higher in college rankings, expand its presence around the state, and patch divisions between faculty, students and administration. Yet the search for this leader comes at a tumultuous time for higher education in Florida, which a national faculty union president said has become ‘ground zero’ for the conservative agenda.”
|  General view of the stadium during the opening ceremonies prior to the game between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Toronto Blue Jays on Opening Day at Tropicana Field on July 24, 2020 in St Petersburg, Florida. | Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images | PLAY BALL — “Florida county approves deal to build a new Tampa Bay Rays stadium,” reports The Associated Press. “The county voted 5-2 to approve spending about $312.5 million for its share of the ballpark costs from revenue generated by a bed tax that can only be spent on tourist-related and economic development expenses. The St. Petersburg City Council approved spending $417.5 million for the stadium earlier this month.” POLICY ROLLOUT — “Sarasota School Board budget projects spike in private school vouchers, enrollment drop,” by Steven Walker of the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. “The state of Florida projects the use of Sarasota County's Family Empowerment Scholarships, typically called vouchers, to increase from 2,944 in 2023-24 to 4,688 this year — a 59 percent increase. Meanwhile, enrollment in the district's public schools is projected to decrease slightly, by 334 students compared to last year.”
| | | | A message from Duke Energy:   | | | | | CAMPAIGN MODE | | |  Ken Griffin, founder and CEO of the hedge fund Citadel LLC, speaks at the Milken Institute's Global Conference at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, on May 6, 2024 in Beverly Hills, California. | Apu Gomes/Getty Images | MEGADONOR — “Ken Griffin is spending millions to put his stamp on Trump’s GOP,” reports Bloomberg’s Michael Smith and Bill Allison. “While [JD] Vance and other emerging GOP leaders — who see their views as key to restoring American competitiveness — have voiced skepticism of Wall Street and high finance, Republican operatives view [Citadel CEO Ken] Griffin, 55, as a go-to source of campaign funds. Since 2015, Griffin’s political contributions total more than $248 million, according to OpenSecrets, an independent nonprofit that tracks money in politics. To this point in the 2024 election cycle, Griffin has poured $74 million into super political action committees to promote candidates and conservative causes he believes in.” GAETZ PRIMARY CHALLENGER — “Missouri state senator wants investigation into Florida candidacy of Aaron Dimmock,” by Mitch Perry of the Florida Phoenix. “A candidate for governor in Missouri is calling upon that state’s attorney general to investigate Aaron Dimmock, a Missouri state employee, and whether it is legal that he is running for Congress hundreds of miles away in Florida’s First Congressional District against incumbent Matt Gaetz. Bill Eigel is a Republican state senator in Missouri running for governor this fall. In a letter on Monday to Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey, Eigel called for an investigation ‘into what appears to be a flagrant and ongoing violation of Missouri law.’ He goes on to say that Gov. Mike Parson ‘continues to employ Aaron Dimmock despite his ongoing efforts to seek political office.’” — “On Medicare’s 59th birthday, FL-Dems again hit Rick Scott on the issue,” by Florida Phoenix’s Mitch Perry. LAWSUIT — “Democrat sues opponent for defamation after he notes she called Rick Scott a ‘friend,’” by the Miami Herald’s Max Greenwood. “Former Broward County Mayor Barbara Sharief is suing one of her rivals in the Democratic Senate District 35 primary, alleging that he defamed her by implying that she and her healthcare company defrauded Medicaid. The lawsuit, filed in Broward County court on Monday morning, argues that Miramar Democrat Rodney Jacobs knowingly slandered Sharief with a campaign ad tying her to U.S. Sen. Rick Scott, the former Florida governor whose healthcare company was implicated in a sweeping Medicare fraud case more than two decades ago.” LEGAL FIGHT — “Richard Del Toro, TCPalm, Blake Fontenay sued for defamation by Fort Pierce businessman,” reports Melissa E. Holsman of Treasure Coast Newspapers. “Amid the hotly contested race for St. Lucie County Sheriff, Republican candidate and interim Port St. Lucie Police Chief Richard Del Toro is being sued for defamation by a Fort Pierce businessman with ties to his GOP rival, Sheriff Keith Pearson, court filings show. The 53-page defamation lawsuit, initially filed by Anthony ‘Tony’ DiFrancesco on July 8 in St. Lucie County Circuit Court, named as defendants Del Toro and the Friends of Del Toro political action committee. TCPalm columnist Blake Fontenay and Gannett Co., Inc, the parent company to TCPalm and Treasure Coast Newspapers, were added as defendants in an amended complaint filed on July 18, according to court records.” — “Are Duval County election results accurate? Here's how voting machines are tested,” by David Bauerlein of the Jacksonville Florida Times-Union.
| | | | SUBSCRIBE TO GLOBAL PLAYBOOK: Don’t miss out on POLITICO’s Global Playbook, our newsletter taking you inside pivotal discussions at the most influential gatherings in the world. Suzanne Lynch delivers the world's elite and influential moments directly to you. Stay in the global loop. SUBSCRIBE NOW. | | | | | | | ...HURRICANE HOLE... | | | | 
Craig Fugate, then-Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, talks about the status of Hurricane Joaquin as it moves through the eastern Bahamas, at the National Hurricane Center, Thursday, Oct. 1, 2015, in Miami. | Lynne Sladky/AP Photo | FUGATE TALKS CLIMATE, RISK — Former FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate told a Tallahassee audience that Florida has been progressive on actions rather than "rhetoric" on dealing with climate change, even as coastal development still is being subsidized by taxpayers. Fugate, who was FEMA administrator under President Barack Obama from 2009 to 2017, told Capital Tiger Bay that people shouldn't be sold flood insurance to build in coastal high hazard areas. He said the national flood insurance program is a federal subsidy and is not actuarially sound. "My focus is ‘just quit making it worse,’" he said. "Quit writing flood insurance for new construction in the high risk areas. And if you can get Lloyd's of London or somebody else to write insurance — be my guest, build away. But when you underwrite the risk there's no incentive to change behavior.” He also said Florida is progressive when it comes to preparing for climate change despite the "rhetoric" of some state officials, whom he did not name. Fugate was state emergency management director from 2001 to 2009 under Govs. Jeb Bush and Charlie Crist. Fugate said the Legislature was progressive when it required customers of the state-run Citizens Property Insurance Corp. to get flood insurance even if they are not in designated flood zones. He said Hurricane Ian in 2022 caused extensive inland flooding away from flood zones, but many people had no flood coverage with their homeowners insurance. "The rhetoric [about climate change] is there — I get that," Fugate said. "Actions speak louder than words. They are actually taking very smart, appropriate steps to address the issue of a changing climate index." — Bruce Ritchie WATCHING CLOSELY — “Hurricane center ups chances to 60 percent tropical system could form, threaten Florida,” reports the Orlando Sentinel’s Richard Tribou. “The National Hurricane Center increased the odds a system developing in the Atlantic could turn into the season’s next tropical depression or storm with a projected path that could threaten Florida. As of the NHC’s 8 a.m. tropical outlook Tuesday, an area of disturbed weather in the central Atlantic has now been absorbed into a swift-moving tropical wave located several hundred miles east of the Caribbean’s Lesser Antilles. For now it has limited shower activity because of dry air.”
| | | | A message from Duke Energy: There is a growing need for reliable energy in Florida. Duke Energy employees start each day with one thing on their minds – improving the grid to meet the needs of Florida’s communities. To all of us, it’s about more than keeping the lights on. It’s about doing things smarter, making improvements that make a real difference and always looking toward the future. Working at Duke Energy is more than a job. It’s a commitment to building a smarter, more reliable energy future for Florida.
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