| | | | |  | | By Kimberly Leonard and Kierra Frazier | | Presented by |  | | | |  US Senator Gary Peters, Democrat from Michigan, speaks on the second day of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois, on August 20, 2024. | Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images | Good morning and welcome to Wednesday. When it comes to investing big bucks in the Sunshine State’s Senate race, National Democrats are making Florida Democrats wait again. Democratic Sen. Gary Peters of Michigan, who chairs the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, insisted to reporters on Tuesday that Florida was “increasingly in play” and had “momentum.” But he also added that the committee would need to “see how it goes” before making decisions about pumping a ton of cash to pay for TV ads into the race between Republican Sen. Rick Scott and Democrat Debbie Mucarsel-Powell. “Decisions as to what resources are going to go in are going to be made in real time and are likely to evolve,” Peters said in response to a question from POLITICO’s Ally Mutnick, during a breakfast in Washington hosted by The Christian Science Monitor. Spending here was “likely” if current trends continue, he added, acknowledging that in Florida “you need to be on TV in a big way” as well as on other media. Democrats are already spending to defend their seats in Montana and Ohio to try to retain their narrow majority, and are heavily invested in the Senate contests in five presidential battleground states. But Florida, as well as Texas, are both considered more to be upset, backburner status states (which Peters referred to as a “pickup opportunity”) — and both are super expensive places to run ads in. The DSCC announced Monday that it was spending $25 million on 10 key states, including Florida, to help with field organizers, texting programs and events, but didn’t detail how much each state was getting. Meanwhile, the respective Senate campaigns here have been doing seven-figure TV ad buys of their own. Scott’s campaign recently released two ads accusing his opponent of being a “socialist,” one of which is running in Spanish. Mucarsel-Powell’s ad pushes back against the way Scott is casting her, and focuses on promoting “freedom.” AdImpact, an ad tracking service, shows the Scott campaign spent $12.1 million on tv and digital ads while the Mucarsel-Powell campaign spent $4.7 million. Aside from spending, Democrats in the Senate are using policymaking to put pressure on Republicans like Scott by (again) bringing an IVF bill to the floor on Tuesday. It would have created federal protections and required government and private insurers to cover the procedure. Republicans blocked it, saying it was merely symbolic and too broad, and Scott instead pushed for passage of his own bill, which would make it easier to pay for IVF using health savings accounts. Yet Mucarsel-Powell’s campaign slammed Scott soon after the vote as “trying to cover up” his stance on the issue. Since announcing the switch at the top of the ticket in July, Democrats, including in Florida, have widely said they sense more enthusiasm ahead of the election, which they hope will trickle to down-ballot contests. “Of course, with Vice President Kamala Harris announcing her candidacy, that’s also brought a lot of energy on the ground,” acknowledged Mucarsel-Powell in a Monday interview on The Julie Mason Show when asked about some polls that show her closing in on Scott. Yet Democrats haven’t seen a burst in voter registrations here in Florida, with still more than 1 million registered Republican voters in the state. Democrats also don’t have a lot of time to close the gap given that October 7 is the cut-off date for voter registration in Florida. Peters on Tuesday called Scott “relatively unpopular” and noted he’d only won by narrow margins before, but that was when registered Democrats out-numbered Republicans. And an X factor that’s unique for Florida that makes the Senate race here particularly challenging for Democrats: Scott is incredibly wealthy and can just pour more of his own money into his campaign — as he has done in close races in the past — on top of the millions he’s already put in, were Democrats to actually make a significant investment. Scott’s campaign brushed off Peters’ optimism. “National Democrats are free to waste their money if they want,” campaign senior adviser Chris Hartline said, pointing to Scott’s 2018 Senate race where Democrats spent $60 million to try to defeat Scott but lost. “Debbie may be resting her fate on the whims of a Senator from Michigan. Rick Scott is focused on getting around the state and talking to Floridians about the issues that matter to them.” 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 Uber: How does Uber expand transit access in Florida?
Every week, Uber helps over 3,000 people get to and from Brightline stations across Florida. On average, riders travel nearly 6 miles to connect to Brightline, extending their reach far beyond the tracks. Learn more about how Uber is working with transit agencies in Florida and across the country. | | | |  | ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... | | |  Fishing guide and town councilmember Brett Selph prepares his boat to take a pair of visitors out for a day of fishing on May 11, 2024, in Horseshoe Beach, Florida. | Rebecca Blackwell/AP | AMENDMENT 2 — “Conservationists clash with Sierra Club over the right to hunt and fish in Florida,” reports POLITICO’s Bruce Ritchie. “A proposal to enshrine hunting and fishing rights in the state constitution is pitting some Florida conservationists against one of the country’s largest environmental groups, as sportsmen and anglers who see a threat to their ways of life push for similar language in state constitutions across the country. Supporters in Florida — including most prominently Republican Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson, a potential 2026 gubernatorial candidate — say the measure is needed to thwart any future efforts to ban hunting and fishing, and is part of a broader goal to preserve Florida wildlife and residents’ enjoyment of it as a key part of the state’s culture and economy.” … POLITICO Florida will have a story on every amendment on the November ballot this week. Pro subscribers receive the reporting first, but stay tuned here in Playbook for each day’s story. PARALLEL INVESTIGATION — “DeSantis floats Florida charging apparent, would-be Trump assassin with attempted murder,” reports POLITICO’s Kimberly Leonard. “The Republican governor promised to pursue the ‘most serious charges that are on the books to hold this guy accountable.’ Should those charges materialize — and the suspect is found guilty — it could result in a sentence of life in prison. Such an outcome would supplement the initial federal charges against the suspect, Ryan Routh, who was arrested shortly after the incident on Sunday and remains in custody. He currently faces charges of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number. It’s possible, however, that Routh will also face additional federal charges as that investigation progresses.” — “Ex-U.S. attorneys rip DeSantis’ Trump assassination probe,” reports The Bulwark’s Marc Caputo. FOR YOUR RADAR — A panel of state appeals court judges expressed deep skepticism Tuesday about an ongoing effort by the Republican-controlled Legislature to overturn an 11-year-old Florida Supreme Court decision that allows legislators to be questioned in certain civil cases. The dispute is tied to the legal battles over redistricting. Lawyers representing groups that challenged the congressional map pushed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis initially tried to take depositions of current and former legislators involved in decisions. A judge went along and cited state Supreme Court precedent from previous redistricting battles. But Circuit Judge J. Lee Marsh did put limits on the questions that could be asked. However, the groups dropped their push for depositions as the case moved ahead. But the Legislature still appealed Marsh’s decision and this week lawyers for the House and Senate made their arguments to the 1st District Court of Appeal. Andy Bardos told the judges that the prospect of legislators getting asked questions in court violates the separation of powers and hinders the ability of legislators to do their job. But Judge Brad Thomas quickly questioned whether the entire dispute was moot since the associated redistricting case is now before the state Supreme Court. He also wondered whether the high court would even consider a ruling on the matter by the appeals court. Jyoti Jasrasaria, a lawyer for the groups involved in the redistricting lawsuit, urged the judges to reject the appeal and said the Legislature was trying to “inoculate” themselves from future disputes over the state’s “Fair Districts” redistricting standards adopted by voters. “They are essentially trying to get a free pass to not abide by those amendments,” she told the court. — Gary Fineout NEW VOTING RIGHTS LAWSUIT — Florida Rising Together, which is being represented by the Advancement Project and others, filed a lawsuit Tuesday in federal court alleging that the state’s “exact match” requirements for voter registration applications is illegal and has disproportionately affected minority voters. Florida law requires that identifying information on voter applications match information found on drivers licenses, state ID or social security numbers. But the lawsuit contends that this disenfranchises voters due to typos, glitches or other bureaucratic mistakes. The groups behind the lawsuit said their research showed that more than 43,000 applicants from 26 counties were unable to register to vote since 2018 due to the “exact match” requirement. When broken out by race, the research showed that 31 percent of voters who had their applications rejected during that time were Black. “Florida’s 'exact match' verification process is just another tool of voter suppression. It’s an inaccurate, burdensome practice that creates extra hurdles for Black voters and violates federal law,” said Judith Browne Dianis, executive Director of Advancement Project. The lawsuit was filed in Orlando against Secretary of State Cord Byrd, Attorney General Ashley Moody and five local election supervisors. Ryan Ash, a spokesperson for Byrd, said the department does not comment on active litigation. The legal battle will not likely have any impact on the 2024 elections, because Florida Rising has not asked for any emergency action. But the group does want a federal judge to order Florida to end its current “exact match” requirements and allow those who had their applications rejected to become eligible voters. — Gary Fineout — “Experts refute latest Florida guidance on COVID vaccine as flawed and dangerous,” reports the Tampa Bay Times’ Christopher O’Donnell.
| | PENINSULA AND BEYOND | |
AVERTING TRAGEDY — “11-year-old Florida student arrested for threatening to commit a mass shooting, authorities say,” reports CNN’s Amy Simonson. “The Creekside Middle School student was charged with a felony for intimidation through a written threat of a ‘mass shooting/terrorism act,’ according to an incident report sent to CNN by the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office … The report said detectives searched the home of the student and ‘located various airsoft style rifles and pistols, magazines, fake ammunition designed to give a realistic appearance and several knives and swords.’”
IMPROVING TEACHER PAY — “Florida districts big and small ask voters to boost taxes for teacher pay,” reports Tampa Bay Times’ Jeffrey S. Solochek. “Many of them are asking voters to approve or renew local-option property taxes to generate revenue beyond what the state funding system provides. The issue has become clear in urban areas such as Tampa Bay, where Hillsborough County officials say they need a new tax to compete with its neighbors, while Pinellas County leaders are seeking to increase their 20-year-old referendum rate to match those of Pasco and Manatee counties.” CLOCK IS TICKING — “As public camping ban looms, Miami-Dade considers ‘tiny homes’ for the homeless,” reports Miami Herald’s Max Klaver. “At roughly 450 square feet each, the 175 two-bedroom units could provide stable accommodation to hundreds of homeless Miamians. Miami-Dade County’s homeless agency, the Homeless Trust, would manage the modular units, should county officials approve their implementation. Ron Book, chairman of the Homeless Trust, said the agency is prioritizing the acquisition of air-conditioned units with bathrooms, kitchens and living rooms.” BRIGHTLINE HOPE — “Back to the table? Stuart may reopen talks, or start new negotiations, for Brightline station,” reports Treasure Coast Newspapers’ Keith Burbank. “‘For me, what I'm looking for from a deal with Brightline is that they would pay something that looks more like that original settlement agreement,’ Commissioner Christopher Collins said. ‘I would like Brightline to pay its half of that station.’ … Collins is one of three commissioners who voted last week to kill the project.”
| | | | A message from Uber:   | | | | | CAMPAIGN MODE | |
RELIGIOUS OPPOSITION TO AMENDMENT 4 — “Catholic church pours big bucks into fight to defeat Florida abortion rights amendment,” reports Miami Herald’s Lauren Costantino. “Religious institutions accounted for more than a third of the total contributions — almost $850,000 including check and in-kind donations according to calculations by the Miami Herald — to the Florida Voters Against Extremism PAC, the political committee behind the ‘Vote No on 4’ campaign. Catholic organizations and churches accounted for almost $834,000 alone, while Florida Baptist organizations contributed around $10,500.”
TARGETING ‘PERSUADABLE VOTERS’ — “National pro-life org targets Florida voters in new ad against Amendment 4,” reports Florida Politics’ Gabrielle Russon. “Created Equal said its new ad ‘will target center and center-right persuadable voters.’ ‘Passage of Amendment 4 would be the crown jewel for the abortion industry. Florida would become a destination for violent, 5, 6, and 7-month abortions,’ said Created Equal’s President Mark Harrington in a statement.”
| | TRUMPLANDIA AND THE SWAMP | | |  In this image from video provided by the U.S. Senate, Aileen M. Cannon raises her hand after being sworn in to testify remotely during a Senate Judiciary Committee oversight nomination hearing to be U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida on July 29, 2020, in Washington. (U.S. Senate via AP) | AP | NOT IN COMPLIANCE — “Judge Aileen Cannon failed to disclose a right-wing junket,” reports ProPublica’s Marilyn W. Thompson and Alex Mierjeski. “Cannon went to an event in Arlington, Va. honoring the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, according to documents obtained from the Law and Economics Center at George Mason University. At a lecture and private dinner, she sat among members of Scalia’s family, fellow Federalist Society members and more than 30 conservative federal judges. Organizers billed the event as ‘an excellent opportunity to connect with judicial colleagues.’”
| | | | A message from Uber: Expanding transit access in Florida
Did you know that every week, Uber helps over 3,000 people get to and from Brightline stations across Florida?
Key stat: On average, riders travel nearly 6 miles to reach these stations—extending Brightline’s reach far beyond the tracks.
From MiamiCentral to Aventura, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, West Palm Beach, and Orlando, Uber is making it easier for Floridians to access public transit.
Learn more about how Uber partners with transit agencies to improve access to public transportation. | | | | | ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN | | IN MEMORIAM — Pete Weitzel, director emeritus of the First Amendment Foundation and former managing editor for the Miami Herald, has passed away. Weitzel worked at the Miami Herald for nearly four decades — climbing up the ranks from reporter to managing editor, before founding the First Amendment Foundation in 1984. Under his leadership, the Miami Herald staff won eight Pulitzer Prizes. He also drafted an amendment to the Florida Constitution to guarantee citizens the right to access government records. BIRTHDAYS: Former Secretary of State Ken Detzner ... lawyer and lobbyist Reggie Garcia ... Jeff Sadosky, head of public affairs agency partnerships at Applecart and former communications director for the Republican Party of Florida ... Former Orlando Sentinel editor Mark Skoneki. | | | | Follow us on Twitter | | | | Subscribe to the POLITICO Playbook family Playbook | Playbook PM | California Playbook | Florida Playbook | Illinois Playbook | Massachusetts Playbook | New Jersey Playbook | New York Playbook | Ottawa Playbook | Brussels Playbook | London Playbook View all our political and policy newsletters | | Follow us | | | | |
