Peter Schorsch
Last Call – A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics.
First Shot
Now that the Democratic gubernatorial ticket has been finalized, For Our Future Florida (FOF-FL), a progressive advocacy group, has announced a series of statewide events this Saturday to kick off general election season.
Blake Williams, the group’s communications director, says they want to make sure Florida voters know the importance of getting out to vote in November.
“The general election starts now,” Williams said. “Voters in Florida are fired up about the Democratic ticket, from Andrew Gillum and Bill Nelson on down the ballot.
“We’re seeing it in how many volunteers are joining the campaign, and we’re hearing it at the doors and on the phones.”
Gillum announced Thursday he was selecting former primary opponent Chris King as his running mate against Republican Ron DeSantis. Meanwhile Nelson has a tough general election ahead against current GOP Gov. Rick Scott.
The group has already knocked on more than a half-million doors as part of its efforts. So far, FOF-FL has events planned in Jacksonville, Tallahassee, Jax, Tampa, Miami, West Palm Beach and many other cities statewide in support of progressive candidates.
The Florida gubernatorial race has earned attention nationwide for the contrast between Gillum and Republican Ron DeSantis. Williams argues Gillum’s background gives him good chance at serving as the state’s first Democratic Governor in 20 years.
“Andrew Gillum has a unique understanding of our communities and struggles here in Florida because his story is the same as so many of our stories,” Williams said.
Evening Reads
“‘The sleeper cells have awoken’: Trump and aides shaken by ‘resistance’ op-ed” via Philip Rucker of the Washington Post
“U.S. plans to sidestep limits on detaining immigrant children” via Collen Long via the USA Today
“Inside the makeover of the Democratic Party” via Bill Barrow and Juanna Summers of the Associated Press
“The explanation behind that $15,000 deposit into Andrew Gillum’s bank account” via Elizabeth Koh of Miami Herald
“One reason Gwen Graham isn’t Democratic LG pick: She wasn’t asked” via Peter Schorsch of Florida Politics
“Jeanette Nuñez, DeSantis lieutenant governor pick, deleted tweet calling Trump ‘con-man,’ KKK supporter” via Steve Contorno of the Tampa Bay Times
“Rick Scott, Ron DeSantis blast Democratic ‘socialism’ at GOP kickoff event” via Steve Bousquet of the Tampa Bay Times
“What are your tax dollars paying for at women’s ‘crisis pregnancy centers’?” via CD Davidson-Hiers of the Florida Phoenix
“Is FWC feeding Lake Okeechobee algae blooms with Roundup and other glyphosate herbicides?” via Tyler Treadway of the TC Palm
“Erin Brockovich, who’s railed against cancer clusters and algae blooms, to visit Florida” via Tyler Treadway of the TC Palm
“Joe Carollo sues Miami over Francis Suarez’s ‘strong mayor’ referendum” via Tracey McManus of the Tampa Bay Times
“Choice or necessity? Florida leads U.S. in growth of women-owned firms” via Charles Elmore of the Palm Beach Post
Quote of the Day
“In South Florida, we know that by empowering the free market – not big government – we succeed as a state.” —Jeanette Nuñez, the House Speaker Pro Tem from Miami-Dade, named as Ron DeSantis’ running mate.
Bill Day’s Latest
Breakthrough Insights
Wake Up Early?
The Florida Commission on Ethics will meet at 8:30 a.m., 1st District Court of Appeal, 2000 Drayton Dr., Tallahassee.
Gov. Rick Scott will kick off his “Veterans For Scott” coalition, made up of more than 500 military members and veterans from across the state who support his election to the U.S. senate. The first event is 9 a.m., Homeland Intelligence Technologies, 4916 South Lois Ave., Tampa. A second event is 11:15 a.m. Central time, DigiPro Media, 214 E. Garden St., Pensacola.
Staff members for U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio will hold “mobile” office hours in Palm Beach County at 9:30 a.m., Century Village Clubhouse, 411 Century Blvd., West Palm Beach.
David Straz will speak at a “Straz for Mayor” kickoff reception. That’s at 6 p.m., El Circulo Cubano (Cuban Club), 2010 Avenida Republica de Cuba (Ybor City), Tampa.
State candidates and political committees face a Friday deadline for filing reports showing finance activity through Aug. 31.
Looking Ahead
U.S. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart and state Rep. Manny Diaz Jr., both Republicans, are expected to take part in a breakfast event hosted by Republican State Committeewoman Liliana Ros. That’s Saturday at 10 a.m., Hialeah Republican office, 1001 West 49th St., Hialeah.
State Rep. Javier Fernandez and state Sen. Annette Taddeo, both Democrats, will hold a rally outside the Miami-Dade County fairgrounds to demand a ban on gun shows on the site. That’s Saturday at 10 a.m., near the entrance to the Miami-Dade County Youth Fair, corner of Southwest 107th Avenue and Coral Way, University Park.
