| | | | |  | | By Kimberly Leonard and Kierra Frazier | | Presented by |  | | | Good morning and welcome to Wednesday. Republican state Rep. Susan Plasencia is defending her District 37 seat against Democrat Nate Douglas in one of 16 state House contests that the Florida Democratic Party has targeted to flip. Plasencia was part of Florida’s 2022 red wave. But Democrats are hoping to win the seat back in a district that President Joe Biden would have won by what Democratic campaign data analyst Matthew Isbell estimates would have been more than 11 points under the map’s current lines, which includes the massive University of Central Florida. Much of the race in this blue-leaning district has focused on education. Douglas is running on repealing the universal school vouchers program that Plasencia co-sponsored in 2023 and on pushing far more investments to public education, but said he doesn’t have a budget figure in mind yet. He said he prefers to “expand choice within our public school system,” citing the example of how he was able to attend a magnet program focused on engineering at his public school. But Plasencia cited her own children’s story in making the case for vouchers. Her children each went to different schools, where they could excel, she said, including public, private and trade schools. “I am a firm believer that parents know what's best for their children, and not everyone learns the same,” she said. “What's good for one kid might not be good for another, and our job is to make sure that they can be successful in life and then the workplace.” Douglas’ mother is a public school teacher who is running for school board in Orange County, and he’ll be voting “no” on an amendment to Florida’s Constitution that would make those races partisan, saying he is tired of “politically chaotic” school-board meetings. Douglas also objects to a Republican law that prohibits instruction on gender identity and sexual orientation, in what he called part of the GOP’s “culture war and extreme rhetoric.” “As much as Gov. DeSantis calls it ‘the free state of Florida,’ that just isn't what you have seen unless you're someone who has aligned with his lifestyle and his version of how he thinks people should live their lives,” Douglas said. Douglas, who supports abortion rights, also blasted the GOP Legislature, including his opponent , for supporting a law that makes most abortions in Florida illegal after six weeks in a pregnancy. Asked about her position, Plasencia said she was remaining “silent” on the abortion amendment and would skip the question on her ballot. “It is right now up to the people,” she said, “and they will make their choice one way or the other, and whatever choice they make, I will honor and I'll respect because it's no longer something that will be debated by people like me, by legislators.” Plasencia said Douglas, who is 23, had a “lack of experience” and argued it “places my district at a disadvantage,” citing her own experience raising her children as a single mom and as executive director of the Orlando Regional Realtor Foundation, which focuses on affordable housing. (The legislature is also a family affair: Her brother is former state Rep. Rene Plasencia of District 50.) She said she was proud to bring new state funding to her district toward projects like veterans housing, autism services and food banks. The first bill she plans to re-introduce if reelected would create a repository for patients who want to upload legal documents that emergency rooms, hospitals and nursing homes could use to see what medical directives patients have if they become unable to make decisions for themselves. Both candidates want to work on fixing sky-high property insurance costs but differ as to how. Douglas would want to undo some of the property insurance reforms that make it harder for customers to sue insurers, while Plasencia said the status quo before that law had passed amounted to a “rampant abuse of the legal system” that hurt insurers and the market. Douglas also said he wants to expand the market for reinsurance, which is insurance for insurers, while Plasencia talked about meeting with insurance commissioners and holding committee meetings to come up with more solutions. Douglas accepted a debate at the studios for WESH-2 but Plasencia did not. Asked about it, she said the debate offered was in the studio located outside the district — though the station does cover their area and Orlando. “She prefers to spend her time meeting voters at their door,” added Victor Martinez, her campaign manager, when asked about it in a follow up text. — Gary Fineout contributed reporting. WHERE’S RON? Gov. DeSantis is holding a press conference in Steinhatchee at 10:15 a.m. with Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commissioner Executive Director Roger Young. WHERE’S CASEY? First lady DeSantis is holding a press conference in Panama City at 10 a.m. Central with Florida Department of Health Surgeon General Joe Ladapo, Bay County Superintendent of Schools Mark McQueen and Bay County Sheriff Tommy Ford. 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: Thank You, Florida Uber Drivers For stepping up during Hurricanes Milton and Helene by helping thousands of Floridians get to shelters and support centers. Your efforts helped keep our communities safe. Learn how Uber drivers stepped up. | | | |  | ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... | | |  Rescue personnel work at the remains of the Champlain Towers South condo building in Surfside, Florida, on June 25, 2021. | Gerald Herbert/AP | SPECIAL REPORT — “Why Florida's new safety inspection law is creating havoc for condo owners,” by Mike Diamond of The Palm Beach Post . “Far too many condo associations failed to fund their reserves. The new law requires that a [Structural Integrity Reserve Study] study be done to identify what long-term maintenance is needed — whether, for example, a new roof should be installed. That is on top of the expensive Phase One and Phase Two inspections and insurance premiums that have skyrocketed.” ROUTINE DRUG TESTING — “Florida surgeon general recommends drug testing for kids amid pot legalization campaign,” reports POLITICO’s Arek Sarkissian. “The guidance, which was emailed by the Florida Department of Health on Tuesday, warns that marijuana use has increased among children 12 years old and older as more teenagers believed that pot was safer to consume than alcohol or other drugs. DOH released the guidance as early voting continues in this year's election, which includes a ballot initiative in which voters will decide whether to legalize pot for adults aged 21 and older.” AGE RESTRICTION DEBATE — “Judges grapple with Florida gun-buying age law enacted after Parkland shooting,” reports News Service of Florida’s Dara Kam . “Tuesday’s arguments focused, in part, on the country’s history of regulating guns. John Parker Sweeney, a lawyer representing the NRA, said the age restriction is unconstitutional because it ‘was not a tradition known … at the time the Second Amendment was first adopted’ in the 18th century. Judge Robin Rosenbaum was among the members of the court who pressed Sweeney on the cut-off age for purchasing guns.”
| | PENINSULA AND BEYOND | | NOT REQUIRED — “Florida school board members don’t have to testify in book ban lawsuit,” reports the Tampa Bay Times’ Jeffrey S. Solochek . “One of the more notable cases involves authors suing the Escambia County school district over the removal of their books, such as ‘And Tango Makes Three.’ They have argued that pulling their books off the shelves violates their First Amendment rights. … A federal judge has stood in the way. Board members do not have to testify, the judge ruled, because of ‘legislative privilege.’” $114 MILLION — “Long Key Bridge replacement receives federal funding; ports also benefit,” reports the Florida Phoenix’s Jay Waagmeester. “The Florida Department of Transportation will receive $114.16 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation to replace Long Key Bridge in Monroe County and more. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, the bridge has been rated fair or poor for 15 years. It opened in 1982.”
| | | | A message from Uber:   | | | | | ...HURRICANE HOLE... | | WILL THE TOURISTS RETURN? — “As season begins, Sarasota, Manatee tourism looking for quick rebound from hurricanes,” reports the Sarasota Herald-Tribune’s Derek Gilliam . “More than a week after Milton made landfall at the best-known Sarasota County tourism draw, Siesta Key, the region's public beaches remained closed, with many of the sidewalks and roadsides still covered by mounds of storm debris.” POLLUTION PROBLEMS — “Hurricane Milton was yet another pollution nightmare for Tampa Bay,” reports the Tampa Bay Times’ Max Chesnes . “According to a Tampa Bay Times review of reports to state regulators, an estimated 68 million gallons of spilled pollution has been reported so far across seven counties, a number that is likely a vast undercount and sure to rise as wastewater managers learn more about how facilities fared. Reports show more than 30 of the region’s waterways, from Tampa Bay to Lake Seminole, were polluted from Milton.” — “Hotel manager opened his doors to 125 people amid Florida's back-to-back hurricanes: ‘They needed comfort,’” by People’s Susan Katz Keating.
| | CAMPAIGN MODE | | ON THE FLORIDA TRAIL TODAY — Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff has a rally in Broward County and a reception in Miami, both aimed at encouraging voters to cast their ballots early. PELOSI WAS IN MIAMI — Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was in Coral Gables on Tuesday morning with fellow Democrats to get out the vote on what was the second day of early voting for most of Florida. She thanked those gathered for getting the abortion rights amendment on the ballot and urged volunteers to push voters to the polls and not to “take anything for granted.” She predicted Democrats would win the House and said of Florida, “Miami-Dade gives us hope.” “The message has to be bold and progressive but it doesn't have to be menacing,” she said. “It has to be unified. We have a responsibility to unify this country, bigger than party politics — just patriotism at its best — which is a sharp contrast to the other side.” She also praised Vice President Kamala Harris, saying women in politics were frequently underestimated and called the presidency — as well as her past House speakership — a “marble ceiling” versus the “glass ceiling” that it’s been described as in the past. Pelosi said Harris had successfully gotten the message across that: “Don't vote for me because I'm a woman, but don't vote against me because I'm a woman. Listen to what I have to say.”
| | | | A message from Uber: Thank You, Florida Uber Drivers
In the face of Hurricanes Milton and Helene, Uber drivers gave Floridians rides to shelters and support centers. We thank the thousands of Uber drivers who went above and beyond, ensuring that during a time of crisis, no one was left behind. Your dedication made a difference when it mattered most. Learn how Uber drivers stepped up. | | | |  Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, front center, participates in a roundtable with Latino leaders in Doral, Florida, on Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024. | Lynne Sladky/AP | TRUMP WAS IN DORAL — Former President Donald Trump spent the first 25 minutes of a Latino roundtable on Tuesday ranting about Vice President Kamala Harris’ schedule but also swooning over his “love affair” with Hispanic voters. Polls show he’s ahead with this key voting demographic in Florida. Trump went around the room praising his Republican supporters, including Hialeah Mayor Esteban Bovo, who had a street named after Trump in the Cuban-majority city. “So many people call me, they say, ‘I just saw the most beautiful street.’ … I really appreciate it, man,” he said. “You’ve been great.” Trump likewise praised Bob Unanue, the CEO of Goya Foods and a Florida resident, for supporting him despite some public backlash. “I made him a lot of money,” Trump said, referring to some reporting showing that sales subsequently jumped for the Hispanic-owned food company. “Whenever I see your food, I eat it,” Trump said. “It’s actually quite good out of the can.” — “Florida doctors find themselves in the middle — and on both sides — of the abortion access battle,” reports the South Florida Sun Sentinel’s Cindy Krischer Goodman. — “Scott, Rubio and Cotton lavish praise on Trump, avoid question about his recent behavior,” reports the South Florida Sun Sentinel’s Anthony Man.
| | | DATELINE D.C. | | | OVERPAID — “Typo and flawed estimates boosted lead money totals for Texas and Florida, EPA's watchdog finds,” by POLITICO’s Annie Snider. “Flawed data reported by Florida and Texas on the extent of lead in their drinking water systems could misdirect nearly $1 billion of federal funding away from more needy regions, EPA's inspector general found in a report issued Tuesday, sharply criticizing the agency for sloppy oversight. The mistakes alleged by the watchdog meant the two states have already received nearly $544 million more than they were entitled to, according to its calculations. While Texas' error has been corrected, Florida's allocations are still based on flawed data, the inspector general said, and without action the state is in line to receive $400 million more than it should over the next two years.” MEDICARE OPEN ENROLLMENT — “‘More change than usual:’ Big revisions in drug plans and healthcare benefits ahead for Florida Medicare recipients,” by the South Florida Sun Sentinel’s Cindy Krischer Goodman . “The 5.1 million Floridians who qualify for Medicare will have from Oct. 15 through Dec. 7 to choose original Medicare or one of the Medicare Advantage plans offered in their county. Changes to Medicare in 2025 will include a $2,000 limit on out-of-pocket Part D drug costs, an opt-in payment plan for expensive medications, and some potential broad changes in Medicare Advantage plans that could eliminate your current plan or slim your benefits.”
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