| | | |  | | By Kimberly Leonard and Isa Domínguez | | 
Nuñez has been a staunch conservative ally to DeSantis and is considered a serious policy player. | Rebecca Blackwell/AP | Good morning and welcome to Thursday. Another day, another leadership earthquake in Florida politics: Lt. Gov. JEANETTE NUÑEZ appears bound for her Miami alma mater, Florida International University. The bombshell revelation that Nuñez will be FIU’s next interim president was first reported by CBS News Miami’s Jim DeFede and confirmed through three sources by POLITICO’s Gary Fineout. It’s a stunning turn of events, particularly given the possibility in early December that Nuñez might ascend to the governor’s office if President DONALD TRUMP were to nominate Gov. RON DESANTIS as Defense secretary. But now that PETE HEGSETH is confirmed at the Pentagon, the prospect that Nuñez might become governor someday appears to have dwindled. Trump, over the course of last year, made it clear he’d want a say in endorsing the Sunshine State’s next governor. Nuñez has been a staunch conservative ally to DeSantis and is considered a serious policy player who doesn't frequently engage in confrontational politics. When Nuñez does depart, DeSantis will be able to choose her replacement. He said last week that he plans to be deeply involved in the 2026 governor’s race, and being able to choose a lieutenant governor will be a clear signal of who he envisions as the best caretaker of his legacy. It’ll also give that person a crucial leg up in the primary, given DeSantis’ use of public appearances and actions to promote his accomplishments and those within his inner circle. Late last year, DeSantis appeared at numerous public events with Florida Attorney General ASHLEY MOODY when she was a top contender — and DeSantis’ eventual pick — to head to the Senate in place of MARCO RUBIO when he left for the State Department. FIU is set to meet Friday to make the announcement about Nuñez. They cannot appoint her outright because it’s a public university whose Board of Trustees has to conduct a formal search. But one Republican insider, granted anonymity to discuss sensitive personnel issues, pointed out that few candidates would be likely to jump in if they saw the lieutenant governor was being considered. Information about who else applies may never become public, because schools don’t have to name applicants, POLITICO’s Andrew Atterbury reports. The Miami Herald was first to report last week that the talks about Nuñez coming onboard had become serious. Nuñez is bilingual, well-known in Miami and has deep experience with the legislative process, given that she previously served in the Florida House. Her connections would prove valuable for a publicly funded university. In 2018, she was initially on the fence about joining the DeSantis ticket. But Rubio helped to persuade her. Nuñez’s decision to step down gives DeSantis another hand to play as he creates allegiances in Tallahassee and plans for the state’s future after he is term-limited out of office. Jockeying will be fierce to replace Nuñez, and the next lieutenant governor will help reshape priorities and personnel at the top of Florida government — again. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget that Playbook should look at? Get in touch at: kleonard@politico.com
| | | | We’ve re-imagined and expanded our Inside Congress newsletter to give you unmatched reporting on Capitol Hill politics and policy -- and we'll get it to your inbox even earlier. Subscribe today. | | | | | |  | ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... | | TOP HEALTH PRIORITY — “The Florida Senate on Wednesday offered a first glimpse of the chamber’s priorities for this year’s legislative session with a bill that seeks to expand state-sponsored programs and services to include autism,” reports POLITICO’s Arek Sarkissian. “State Sen. Gayle Harrell (R-Stuart) filed SB 112, which increases funding for testing that could help detect autism early in children and expands eligibility for Florida’s Early Steps program. Harrell said the measure builds on the Live Healthy program the Senate approved last year.” DEM LEADERSHIP — Florida House Democratic Leader FENTRICE DRISKELL (D-Tampa) is out today with representatives who’ll serve on the House Democratic Caucus leadership team this term:
- Leader Pro Tempore: Rep. CHRISTINE HUNSCHOFSKY of Parkland
- Policy Chair: Rep. KELLY SKIDMORE of Boca Raton
- Floor Leader: State Rep. MIKE GOTTLIEB of Davie
- Caucus Whip: Rep. MARIE WOODSON of Hollywood
LEGISLATION ROUNDUP — State Sen. KRISTEN ARRINGTON (D-Kissimmee) and Rep. JOSE ALVAREZ (D-Kissimmee) filed legislation that would require the state to give $500,000 every year to pay for 50 percent of the tuition for spouses and children of active Florida National Guard members, reports the Florida Politics’ Gabrielle Russon. … A bill from state Sen. TOM LEEK (R-Ormond Beach) would have the Department of Law Enforcement post the names of people convicted of animal abuse on its website, reports Florida Politics’ A.G. Gancarski. … Legislation from Rep. BERNY JACQUES (R-Seminole) would crack down on corporations buying up Florida homes, reports Rebecca Liebson and Teghan Simonton of the Tampa Bay Times. — “NRA says Louisiana court ruling bolsters challenge to Florida law restricting under-21 gun sales,” reports Jim Saunders of News Service of Florida.
| | PENINSULA AND BEYOND | | | 
Hialeah Mayor Esteban Bovo will be stepping down from his job to work for the Southern Group. | Lynne Sladky/AP | CHANGEUP — Hialeah Mayor ESTEBAN BOVO will be stepping down from his job to work for the Southern Group lobbying firm out of Washington, reports Verónica Egui Brito of the Miami Herald. From the Herald: “This career shift isn’t Bovo’s first foray into lobbying. He has a background in consulting, having worked as an in-house Florida lobbyist for Miami Children’s Hospital and collaborated with the Hialeah Park Casino during his tenure on the Hialeah city council.” MEMORIALIZING PARKLAND — The Parkland 17 Memorial Foundation selected a design for a permanent memorial honoring the 17 victims of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School mass shooting, reports the Miami Herald’s Amanda Rosa. The memorial will be located between Parkland and Coral Springs in a “serene 150-acre nature preserve.” There isn’t a timeline for the memorial’s construction yet, but fundraising is getting started. HOSPITAL OF TERROR — “Malfunctioning elevators that suddenly dropped several floors have injured at least 12 people at Miami’s veterans hospital over two years, according to a nurses union,” reports the Miami Herald’s Michelle Marchante. “And all of the Miami VA’s main hospital elevators were listed as having some parts in poor or critical condition during the hospital’s most recent 2023 assessment.” AI CLASSROOM — Tampa-based teachers and students are reporting positive impacts from Scholar Education’s state pilot program, reports the Tampa Bay Times’ Jeffrey S. Solochek. With $1.1 million in state funding, Scholar Education aims to “create a safe AI model that teachers, students and families find beneficial” and to enhance personalized learning. IT’S A DAMP WORLD AFTER ALL — “The effects of Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton put a damper on Disney theme parks’ attendance and income in the final stretch of 2024,” reports the Orlando Sentinel’s Dewayne Bevil. The operating income of Disney’s domestic theme parks was down 5 percent after the hurricanes hit Florida. — “Hillsborough opts against removing fluoride from drinking water,” by Axios Tampa Bay’s Yacob Reyes. — “Trump policy opening churches to immigration raids worries some Central Florida pastors,” by Central Florida Public Media’s Joe Byrnes.
| | CAMPAIGN MODE | | | 
The Department of State told state Mayfield she was disqualified for the special election to replace Fine because she was barred by term limits from running. | Phelan M. Ebenhack/AP | ‘WEAPONIZED’ — State Rep. DEBBIE MAYFIELD, a well-known GOP legislator, harshly criticized DeSantis after she was blocked from running for her old seat now held by state Sen. RANDY FINE (R-Melbourne Beach), reports POLITICO’s Gary Fineout. “The Department of State told state Mayfield she was disqualified for the special election to replace Fine because she was barred by term limits from running. Mayfield had been in the state Senate until last November. “Mayfield asserted she was targeted by the DeSantis administration because she flipped her presidential endorsement from DeSantis to Trump in November 2023. She also vowed to challenge her disqualification in court.” WHO DID QUALIFY FOR THE SPECIAL ELECTION — “A big surprise on Tuesday came with the late entry of former Melbourne City Council member Tim Thomas, who filed last year to challenge Fine for the Senate seat but did not make the ballot,” reports Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics. “Marcie Adkins, who challenged Fine for his House seat in 2020, also jumped into the Republican Primary the morning of qualification.” — “Three Republicans, one Democrat qualify for HD 32 Special Election,” reports Florida Politics’ Jacob Ogles. FLORIDA DEMS EYE MARCH ELECTIONS — Four candidates are getting extra organizing and fundraising support from the Florida Democratic Party’s “Take Back Local” program in March 11 municipal elections. Democrats previously told POLITICO they want to focus on local candidates in order to build a bench for future elections, after getting pummeled across the board in 2024. The candidates the party is supporting are:
- MICHAEL HENSLEY, Town of Lake Park Commission
- JACKIE RAILEY, Coconut Creek City Commission District B
- MARLENE SHAW, Gulfport City Council Ward 2
- DOM VARGAS, Boynton Beach City Commission District 3
| | TRUMPLANDIA AND THE SWAMP | | SUPER WEEKEND — Trump will be the first sitting president to attend the Super Bowl in-person, reports the Palm Beach Post’s Antonio Fins. He is expected to spend the weekend in Mar-a-Lago and to host senators for dinner Friday before making a stop at the big game in New Orleans on Sunday, reports Jennifer Sangalang of USA Today Network — Florida. The dinner corresponds with the National Republican Senatorial Committee’s winter meeting at the Breakers Palm Beach resort. FOX LINEUP — Former Republican National Committee co-chair and Trump’s daughter-in-law, LARA TRUMP, is the latest addition to the Fox News weekend lineup, reports POLITICO’s Gregory Svirnovskiy. Lara Trump, who lives in Jupiter, had expressed interest in the Senate seat that was vacated by Rubio. But she took herself out of the running, and DeSantis selected ASHLEY MOODY. She’ll be hosting “My View with Lara Trump,” on Saturdays at 9 p.m.
| | DATELINE D.C. | | | 
Rep. Byron Donalds is a member of the hard-right House Freedom Caucus that has proposed an alternative to Johnson's one-big-bill strategy. | Alex Brandon/AP | PRESSURE ON — “Florida Rep. Byron Donalds challenged Speaker Mike Johnson inside a closed-door House Republican conference meeting Wednesday morning to produce a workable plan to advance Trump's policy agenda, according to three people in the room granted anonymity to describe the exchange,” reports POLITICO’s Meredith Lee Hill. “Donalds is a member of the hard-right House Freedom Caucus that has proposed an alternative to Johnson's one-big-bill strategy, and he spoke as Republicans across the House GOP's ideological divides are growing anxious with the delays. He argued to Johnson that the Freedom Caucus comes in for lots of criticism, according to the people present, but they at least have a workable plan — one that involves dividing the agenda into two bills.” COUNTER-MESSAGING PLAN — “Congressional Hispanic Caucus members met privately with immigration advocacy groups Tuesday night to strategize how to counter Trump’s executive actions that have already altered the immigration system,” reports POLITICO’s Daniella Diaz, Myah Ward and Nicholas Wu. SWORN IN — Former Florida Attorney General PAM BONDI was sworn in as U.S. attorney general on Wednesday. And, according to POLITICO’s Josh Gerstein and Erica Orden, “she’s gone right to work.” “Trump’s attorney general issued a flurry of orders Wednesday just after she was sworn in, releasing 14 ‘first-day’ directives. Among them, Bondi ordered the department to set up a task force to examine the ‘weaponization’ of the Justice Department and rein in investigations into foreign influence.” — “Rubio’s years of strong support for USAID stand in contrast to his sudden criticism of the aid agency,” report CNN’s Andrew Kaczynski and Em Steck.
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