Peter Schorsch
Last Call – A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics.
First Shot
Plaintiffs in a federal lawsuit over the state’s prohibition on early voting at college and university campuses filed a motion “seeking a preliminary injunction to prevent Florida Secretary of State Ken Detzner from enforcing” the ban, according to a Thursday news release.
“With this year’s primary and general statewide elections rapidly approaching, the plaintiffs are requesting an immediate end to this practice, which systematically burdens young Floridians’ right to vote,” the release says.
“Young people across Florida are excited and ready to vote this August and November, and we should be doing all that we can to encourage their participation in our democracy,” said Guy Cecil, chairman of the Priorities USA Foundation, which has been sponsoring the plaintiffs’ challenge that was filed last month.
“It is so unconscionable that Secretary Detzner’s actions essentially treat Florida’s young people as a separate class of citizens who now must travel farther and wait longer to cast their ballots,” Cecil added. “We’re confident that we will prevail in court when this case goes to full trial, and in the meantime urge the court to stop Secretary Detzner from suppressing the vote any further.”
Republican Gov. Rick Scott’s administration opposes the effort, defending its interpretation of state law to leave out state university buildings from those sites available for early voting.
“The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Mark Walker in Tallahassee, an appointee of former President Obama, who has ruled decisively against Scott in two previous voting rights cases,” the Tampa Bay Times recently explained. “The plaintiffs in the lawsuit are nine students at UF and Florida State.”
Evening Reads
“Despite Donald Trump’s move, immigrant children will remain held in Florida for now” via Alex Leary of the Tampa Bay Times
“Gov. Rick Scott meets with Puerto Rico’s governor at P3 Summit” via Vanessa Araiza of WKMG News 6
“Bill Nelson goes after Scott as ‘Oil Slick Rick’ in digital ad” via Scott Powers of Florida Politics
“Nelson says he will be allowed inside Homestead shelter for migrant teens” via Skyler Swisher of the Sun Sentinel
“Billionaires, bankers and a Ukrainian oligarch: See who’s funding Florida’s campaigns for governor” via Emily L. Mahoney and Mary Ellen Klas of Tampa Bay Times/Miami Herald capital bureau
“Poll: Philip Levine and Gwen Graham tight, Chris King in third” via Scott Powers of Florida Politics
“Levine talks opioid crisis, marijuana legalization, race in Boynton Beach” via George Bennett of the Palm Beach Post
“Andrew Gillum, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, and polling that doesn’t feel right” via Peter Schorsch of Florida Politics
“East versus West dynamic still evident in Alvin Brown, Al Lawson race” via A.G. Gancarski of Florida Politics
“Felony drug defendant tells shocked Miami judge: I work caring for kids seized at border” via Carol Marbin Miller of the Miami Herald
Quote of the Day
“What is happening will have a permanent effect on these kids … If a parent puts a kid in a cage, that’s child abuse. Our government is doing the same thing. That’s crazy.” — Tallahassee pediatric cardiologist Louis St. Petery, speaking at an interfaith prayer vigil for families separated at the Mexico-U.S. border.
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Breakthrough Insights
Wake Up Early?
Gov. Scott and the Florida Cabinet will accept applications through Friday to become commissioner of the state Office of Financial Regulation. Commissioner Drew Breakspear recently announced that he would leave the post, under pressure from state Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis. The position is advertised to pay a salary of $120,000 to $140,000 a year.
Sen. Kelli Stargel, a Lakeland Republican running for re-election in Senate District 22, is slated to take part in a Lake County GOP “Coffee with the Candidate” gathering. That’s at 10:30 a.m., Lake County Republican Party office, 212 West Main St., Tavares.
The Able Trust, which works to provide opportunities to people with disabilities, will host the finals of its annual Jeannie Amendola Speech and Research Competition. The finals include high-school students from Lauderdale Lakes, Oviedo, Quincy and Orlando. That’s at 11 a.m., Golden Eagle Golf & Country Club, 3700 Golden Eagle Drive East, Tallahassee.
Former Miami Beach mayor and Democratic candidate for governor Philip Levine will visit the Tampa Bay area. He’ll be at a “Conversation with Springboard to Success,” 11:45 a.m., PTCA Building, 650 Seminole Blvd., Largo. Also, he will attend a small business roundtable discussion at 5 p.m., Key Person of Influence, 412 E Madison St., Suite 800, Tampa.
Qualifying for candidates to run for offices across the state will end Friday at noon. Candidates for governor, state Cabinet offices and the Legislature will be among those qualifying during the week. Primary elections will be held Aug. 28, with the general election Nov. 6.
Looking Ahead
Florida Democratic Party Chair Terrie Rizzo is slated to speak at a Lake County Democratic Party breakfast. That’s Saturday, 8:30 a.m., Leesburg Community Center, 201 East Dixie Ave., Leesburg.
The Florida Food Policy Council will meet in Seminole County. The discussion is expected to focus on issues such as upcoming forum in the race for state Agriculture Commissioner. That’s Saturday, 9 a.m., Sanford Civic Center, 401 East Seminole Blvd., Sanford.
Congressman and Republican candidate for governor Ron DeSantis will be hosting campaign events in St. Johns, Columbia and Marion counties this Saturday, to be joined by fellow Republican Congressman Matt Gaetz:
— 9 a.m., Sawgrass Marriott, Masters Ballroom A & B, 1000 PGA Tour Blvd., Ponte Vedra Beach.
— 12:30 p.m., Quail Heights Country Club, 161 SW Quail Heights Terrace, Lake City.
— 3:30 p.m., Holiday Inn, 3600 Southwest 38th Ave., Ocala.
Democrat Katie Tripp, who is running against Rep. Tom Leek, an Ormond Beach Republican, in Volusia County’s House District 25, is slated to hold a fundraiser. That’s Saturday, 6 p.m., 128 Point O Woods Dr., Daytona Beach.
