Peter Schorsch
Sunburn — The morning read of what’s hot in Florida politics.
By Peter Schorsch, Phil Ammann, Daniel McAuliffe, Jim Rosica, and Drew Wilson.
Good morning. This is really the only story that matters:
“Maclay football’s Brecht Heuchan, Athlete of the Week” via Brian Miller of the Tallahassee Democrat — What is something people know about you that you wish they knew? “I think the thing that embodies me as a player is I don’t care about personal performance. Last year, I was self-centered and tracking my stats. I wanted to be at a certain point. And it was at cost to my confidence. I was discouraged when I wasn’t on track. So, I’ve learned to accept my role. There hasn’t been a game this year where I’ve thrown over 20 passes. I’ve grown to the point where I don’t really care about stats. If I throw 50 passes or five passes, I just want us to win.” What your personal goals before the season started? “Cutting down turnovers was No. 1. Be more efficient. I stayed away from personal goals. Just win at all costs.”
— SITUATIONAL AWARENESS —
— @FLGovScott: Glad to be at Tyndall AFB with @VP Mike Pence this morning. We just secured his commitment that the base will be rebuilt — this is great news for all the Floridians who rely on Tyndall.
— @MarcACaputo: Generation Gap/Chasm: earlier, Sen. Bill Nelson closes his speech by telling the young voters that, after Election Day, they’ll be singing “Happy Days are Here Again.” The song came out in 1929, when their great grandparents were their age
— @ErinGaetz: Wanna know why that Gillum answer from the debate went viral? Well, for starters, his team had the good sense to cut it quickly and put it online. So many campaigns don’t get digital enough to see how pushing one clip can set the narrative. This isn’t rocket science, guys.
— @NewsBySmiley: Gillum says @RepTedDeutch recently played @RonDeSantisFL in their debate prep, and was so aggressive that he didn’t want to talk to him afterward
— @GBennettPost: Crowd in the hundreds for @AndrewGillum FAU rally, but it’s in a 2,400-seat venue.
— @RepCurbelo: Happy 45th anniversary to Florida’s home away from home in DC @FloridaHouseDC. A lot has changed in 45 years but not the high quality of our orange juice. FL26, stop on by the only state embassy in DC during your visit!
— @ElectionSmith: Concerned that you vote might not count? If you VBM, go online or call your Supervisor of Elections to make sure your VBM ballot doesn’t have any problems; if it does, you have time to ‘cure’ it in FL. If you voted EIP, and didn’t vote a provisional ballot, your vote will count.
— @MCIMaps: Regarding question of what Puerto Ricans settling in Florida post Hurricane Maria… Hispanic Reg up 170,213, White Reg up 122,895, Black Reg up 41,184. Hispanic share went from 15.7% to 16.5%. Some of this is natural uptick, some if folks setting here
—@MBakerTBTimes: #FSU announces it received a $1 million anonymous donation after Taggart and his family made a personal $1 million donation toward the school’s football complex
— LATEST TURNOUT FIGURES —
Thursday saw another 303,674 ballots come in through the post and the polls, boosting the overall number of votes cast in the 2018 general election to more than 1.75 million — a more than 20 percent increase over Tuesday’s total of 1.45 million votes.
Those ballots include 102,241 major party VBM returns and 123,080 major party voters showing up in person to cast an early vote. Republicans’ overall total of 748,325 keeps them close to the 43 percent share of the total vote they’ve held throughout the week. Democrats are still just shy of the 40 percent mark with 695,158 total votes.
Democrats lag behind GOP voters in VBM returns by 56,072 ballots while holding a slim lead in early votes. Third- and no-party voters have combined to cast 308,495 votes — an increase of 54,558 day-over-day — and are still straddling the line between 17 percent and 18 percent of the total vote.
As of the final update from the Florida Division of Elections Thursday, 1,351,433 mail ballots had been filled out and delivered back to county supervisors, though there were still just over 2 million such ballots outstanding. There are 829,420 Democrats who’ve yet to send their ballots back, followed by 716,513 Republicans and 242,255 other voters.
A final factoid: Thursday saw general election VBM returns eclipse the record numbers posted during the August primary election by a handful of votes.
— TOP STORIES —
“Donald Trump fears Florida wipeout” via Alex Isenstadt of POLITICO – The White House is planning a political rescue mission in Florida, fearing a wipeout in a key swing state next month that could damage President Donald Trump’s reelection hopes. Trump is expected to visit the state at least twice, according to two people familiar with the plans. Visits from several Cabinet members are likely, as well. Presidential text messages are being sent to Floridians who still haven’t cast their absentee ballots. And discussions are underway about blanketing the state with robocalls from Trump. … Behind the scenes, Trump aides have been in contact with top Florida Republicans on a near daily basis, and people close to the president concede that they are worried. “It is both my hope and my expectation that the president will be in Florida so much between now and the election that Floridians will be hearing ‘Hail to the Chief’ in their dreams,” said Rep. Matt Gaetz, a staunch Trump ally who’s been in touch with the president. … Aides to Ron DeSantis and Rick Scott insist they’re ahead and point out that early vote numbers are favorable. But they concede the races are close. On Tuesday, Blaise Hazelwood, the top strategist for a pro-Scott super PAC, sent a memo to donors, warning them that the contest was tight and pleading with them for additional financial help. … As they orchestrate the 11th-hour presidential push, senior Republicans are privately griping about the Florida Republican Party. Once the force behind a powerful get-out-the-vote machine, the state party has been in decline in recent years, struggling especially in its efforts to raise money.
“A dozen days to go: Ratings changes in gubernatorial, house races” via Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics — Political prognosticator Larry Sabato upgraded Republican Rep. Vern Buchanan’s re-election, while downgrading the chances for Republican Rep. Brian Mast, and suggested it may be harder for the GOP to hold Ron DeSantis’ old seat. Sabato’s Crystal Ball political rankings shifted today by moving Florida’s 16th Congressional District into the “Likely Republican” column. That’s good news for Buchanan and a blow to Democratic challenger David Shapiro. But Sabato’s shift in rankings proves more daunting for the GOP in Florida’s 18th and 6th Congressional districts. Florida’s gubernatorial and Senate races remain “toss-ups.”
— DESANTIS VS. GILLUM —
Public poll and new internal numbers show tightening Guv race — DeSantis has been down in the polls, though a pair of new measures shows he’s certainly not out. The first poll, an internal survey circulated by DeSantis’ campaign, showed the former Congressman with a 1-point lead over Gillum, 47-46 percent, with third-party candidates siphoning off 2 percent and 6 percent still undecided. The second poll, a public poll produced by Strategic Research Associates, found DeSantis with a 3-point edge, 48-45 percent. While the polls are certainly welcome news in DeSantis Land, those leads were within the margin of error in both polls. RealClearPolitics’ average of public polls currently lists Gillum with a 4.5 percent lead in the general election matchup. That average includes the SRA poll as well as the outlier poll released by CNN earlier this week that showed Gillum up 12 points, by far his largest margin in any poll to date.
“False attack ad says DeSantis ‘knocked out a young kid at a bar’” via Emily Mahoney of the Tampa Bay Times — It’s true DeSantis, 40, was interviewed by a deputy on a late night in 2000, when he was 21, following a bar fight in Clearwater. The address listed on the report was previously listed as a nightclub called The Venue. But he was neither the suspect nor the victim. The man who was punched, who was 23, identified a different man. The victim said at the time he was “positive” about the identity of his attacker. DeSantis told the deputy “he knew there was a fight inside, but he did not observe anything.” The attack ad was launched Wednesday by a Florida political committee called Florida Truth. The PAC has not yet filed any of its campaign finance reports, so it is unclear who financed the ad.
“Everglades Trust defends DeSantis endorsement as other greens pounce” via Bruce Ritchie of POLITICO Florida – Everglades Trust Executive Director Kimberly Mitchell says she knew her group’s endorsement of Republican Ron DeSantis in the race for Florida governor was going to be difficult to explain to many environmentalists. But Mitchell says she stands behind the decision. Even as the trust faces criticism from the Florida Democratic Party and groups including the Sierra Club, she said the support is justified for one simple reason: DeSantis meets the organization’s 22 criteria for endorsement. Gillum does not.
“DeSantis health plan calls for more patient choices” via Christine Sexton of the News Service of Florida — After weeks of criticism over his lack of a health care plan, DeSantis posted the proposal online shortly before his final debate with Democratic candidate Gillum. The plan calls for people to have the right to buy the health care they want; use price-transparency tools to shop for care; and get rebates from insurers when patient choices save money. The plan said DeSantis would maintain quality care by “resisting any effort to ration health care” in Tallahassee. “Floridians have more choices in picking out their cellphone plans than their health insurance plans. Every day in the grocery store, we make decisions about what we want to buy, weighing price, necessity, and quality, and deciding what’s right for us,” the proposal said. “But, when it comes to something as important as health care, we have fewer choices and less information.”
“Dems decry ‘DeSantiscare” via Florida Politics — Just hours before Vice President Mike Pence was slated to appear at a Jacksonville rally for DeSantis, Democratic National Committee Vice Chair Michael Blake issued a blunt message: DeSantis’ health care plan was too little, too late. “Twelve days from the election,” Blake said, “what we have seen from Ron DeSantis is completely avoiding this critical conversation.” Blake, an alumnus of the Obama White House, called the ‘DeSantiscare’ plan a “sham and a disgrace,” showing evidence of a “lack of seriousness” on the Republican’s part. Blake noted that he had not seen, in 34 states he’s visited as vice-chair, this kind of “absolute disregard” regarding the rollout of a health care plan.
“Andrew Gillum’s ‘Hamilton,’ NYC outings may violate ethics laws; his attorney says not so” via Jeff Burlew of the Tallahassee Democrat — State ethics laws forbid the kind of behavior detailed in volumes of texts, emails and other records released by that very lobbyist, Adam Corey, who was Gillum’s close friend for years. Gillum and his attorney, Barry Richard of Tallahassee, maintain the Mayor did nothing wrong. They say Gillum got the “Hamilton” tickets from his brother, Marcus Gillum, who was along during the New York City trip. They also say the Mayor stayed only one night at the downtown Millennium Hotel, and it was in his brother’s room. “I don’t think there was a violation of anything,” Richard told the Tallahassee Democrat.
“Gillum rallies support after nasty debate” via Dara Kam of the News Service of Florida — On the heels of a vicious debate, Gillum decried the nasty nature of the nationally watched Florida race but at the same time likened his Republican opponent, DeSantis, to a temperamental child. Gillum kicked off a bus tour in Miami, visited three college campuses and appeared at a temple in Plantation, with early voting underway and the clock winding down on the Nov. 6 election. Speaking to a crowd of several hundred students and supporters at an auditorium on the Florida Atlantic University campus, Gillum mocked DeSantis’ performance during the second debate, during which the Republican exploded during questioning from moderator Todd McDermott. “He fell into the category of demonstrating the temperament of about a 4-year-old. I’m trying not to offend my kids, because I’ve got twin 4-year-olds. I certainly don’t want them to take their example from him,” Gillum said.
“Gillum tells DeSantis to show some respect and stop calling him ‘Andrew’” via David Smiley of the Tampa Bay Times — Speaking to a crowd of college students at historically black Florida Memorial University Thursday afternoon, Gillum asked a half-full auditorium if they’d seen the debate at Broward College. The audience cheered. Gillum, who also debated DeSantis Sunday on CNN, mockingly pointed out that his opponent continued to call him “Andrew” on stage in both events — a decision that some politicos found to be poor form. “I met him for the first time the other night and then all of a sudden, without invitation, he was calling me only as Andrew. Between the two of us, he quit his job in Congress, I’m a sitting mayor, and he had the nerve to address me only as Andrew?” Gillum said. “I wanted to correct him, y’all, but I didn’t want to be petty. So, we just we pushed all the way through.”
Spotted: Coming in at No. 94 on Vanity Fair’s “New Establishment List”: Gillum, sharing the spot with Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ayanna Pressley, and Beto O’Rourke. Here’s the listing: “The left’s best hope: If Bernie launched the democratic-socialist revolution against ossified neoliberalism, these are his successors — avatars of the left’s flirtation with universalism and its best attempt to close the enthusiasm gap.”
Assignment editors — Republican Lt. Gov. nominee Jeanette Nuñez will attend a series of events: 8 a.m., meet-and-greet hosted by College Republicans and Hispanic Conservatives in Action, University of Tampa — The Skyes Chapel, 401 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa; 10 a.m.: Patriots North Hillsborough Victory Office visit, 15411 North Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa; noon, Tampa Bay Christian Academy Tour and parent roundtable, 6815 N. Rome Avenue, Tampa.
Assignment editors — DeSantis, his wife Casey and running mate Nuñez, will join Mayor Carlos Hernández of Hialeah and Mayor Carlos Giménez of Miami-Dade County for a major announcement, 3 p.m., Chico’s Restaurant, 4070 W. 12th Ave., Hialeah.
— NOTES FROM THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL —
Another story you won’t read in Sunburn — POLITICO Florida reports that the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy Action Fund endorsed Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson for re-election. Derp.
Florida GOP launches new Ashley Moody ad — The Republican Party of Florida’s new ad for Moody slams Democrat Sean Shaw’s “liberal progressive record and inexperience,” calling him “unqualified.” The ad also notes she has been endorsed by “nearly 90 percent of all Florida Sheriffs,” along with three major newspapers in Jacksonville, Naples, and Tampa Bay.
To view the ad, click on the image below:
“GOP attorneys general give boost to Moody” via the News Service of Florida — The Republican Attorneys General Association last week contributed $300,000 to the political committee Friends of Ashley Moody, which plays a key role in Moody’s Nov. 6 election bid. The contribution made up more than half of the $587,600 that Friends of Ashley Moody raised between Oct. 13 and Oct. 19, according to a new finance report posted on the state Division of Elections website. The committee also spent $387,205 during the week, with $385,000 of that amount funneled to the Republican Party of Florida. The committee had nearly $650,000 in remaining cash on hand as of Oct. 19.
“John Morgan endorses Nikki Fried for Ag. Commissioner” via Jim Rosica of Florida Politics — Orlando attorney, entrepreneur and marijuana advocate Morgan gave his full-throated endorsement to Democrat Fried in the race for Agriculture Commissioner. Morgan, a self-made multimillionaire known for his personal injury law firm’s ubiquitous advertisements, announced his support in a Thursday tweet. He admitted that the office of Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services, a Cabinet-level position, was one he “never cared about — until now.” Morgan was behind the 2016 state constitutional amendment allowing medical marijuana … Fried (was) a lobbyist who specialized in representing medical marijuana concerns.
“NRA lobbyist fires back at Fried” via Jim Turner of the News Service of Florida — National Rifle Association lobbyist Marion Hammer sent out a blistering critique of Democratic agriculture-commissioner candidate Fried, who opened October by saying she would curtail Hammer’s access to the state Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Hammer’s statement to members of the NRA and the Unified Sportsmen of Florida labeled Fried an “anti-gun extremist who will eliminate our freedoms.” The lobbyist also reaffirmed the NRA’s endorsement of Republican Matt Caldwell to replace term-limited Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam. In addition, Hammer pointed out that Everytown for Gun Safety, a gun-control group co-founded by former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, supports Fried. Last week, the group announced it was putting $1.8 million behind Fried, in addition to $2 million going to support Fried and two other Democrats running for state Cabinet posts — Sean Shaw, who is running for attorney general, and Jeremy Ring, who is running for state chief financial officer.
“Campaign to win voting rights for Florida felons enters home stretch” via Steve Bousquet of the Tampa Bay Times — In a year when voters face a dizzying array of a dozen ballot questions, many testing their patience by merging several unrelated subjects into a single all-or-nothing proposition, supporters of Amendment 4 say it has been a challenge getting an uncluttered message to voters. But strong financial support from donors, led by the American Civil Liberties Union, has paid for a more visible campaign in recent weeks, including $5 million in advertising on TV in English and Spanish and on social media. Leading out-of-state donors include Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream, League of Conservation Voters, Texas psychologist Laurie Michaels, and the Open Philanthropy Action Fund of Palo Alto, California. Political support has come from such diverse groups as Catholic bishops, the Christian Coalition of America, veterans, NFL stars such as Warrick Dunn, entertainer John Legend and a political committee funded by the conservative Koch network.
“Supreme Court explains its OK of victims’ rights ballot language” via Michael Moline of Florida Politics — The Florida Supreme Court, as promised, issued its written decision explaining why it allowed the Constitution Revision Commission’s victims’ rights amendment on the Nov. 6 ballot — and the majority swept aside complaints the ballot language is misleading. The title and summary inform voters of the chief purpose of the proposal and do not mislead regarding its scope and effect,” said the majority of Chief Justice Charles Canady and justices Jorge Labarga, Alan Lawson and Ricky Polston. A dissent, however, predicted the measure would bog down the courts in disputes pitting its list of protections for victims against defendants’ long-established due-process rights. “I have genuine concerns that the new, comprehensive manual of victims’ rights created by Amendment 6 would, in fact, impact our criminal justice system and the rights of the accused,” Justice Barbara Pariente wrote.
— MORE NOTES FROM THE TRAIL —
“Mike Miller punches back on Democrats’ attack ad for mischaracterizing his role in lake project” via Scott Powers of Florida Politics — The 30-second ad “Exclusive” declares, “Luxurious, exclusive and newly renovated, a private golf course updated with your tax dollars, thanks to politician and lobbyist Miller. Miller helped steer taxpayer money to the club for renovations.” Miller’s campaign said that the effort had been to deal with chronic stormwater and environmental problems caused by runoff, involving a lake, Spring Lake; the neighborhood of Spring Lake; two major highways, Orange Blossom Trail and West Colonial Drive; and the Country Club of Orlando. n a news release, Miller’s campaign had a resident of Spring Lake respond. “I am sad and disturbed to see an ad on television that disparages a hardworking public official, like Mike Miller from doing his job to address a decade-long environmental issue,” Spring Lake resident Susie Day said.
To view the original ad, click on the image below:
House Republican ad blasts Kristen Carlson for ‘supporting’ Nancy Pelosi — Congressional Leadership Fund (@CLFSuperPAC), the super PAC endorsed by House Republican leadership is releasing “Doubling,” its first ad in Florida’s 15th Congressional District race. The ad is blasting Carlson for “supporting” Minority Leader Pelosi. The ad will run on television in the Tampa Bay media market and on digital platforms throughout the district. “Pelosi’s liberal allies are funding Carlson’s campaign because she would be a rubber stamp for Pelosi’s tax-raising agenda,” said Courtney Alexander, CLF Communications Director.
To view the ad, click on the image below:
There’s a lot of money behind that ad — A few days after Spano was trumped by Lakeland Democrat Carlson and the DCCC’s combined $825,000 ad buy in CD 15, reinforcements have landed. A new, $500,000 media buy has come through in the Tampa media market by way of the CLF. The ad buy boost comes after Spano and the National Republican Congressional Committee combined to buy just $127,000 in ad time earlier this week. The new media buy is set to run from Oct. 26 through Election Day.
“New Lauren Baer ad bashes Brian Mast over criticism of 9/11 comments” via Ryan Nicol of Florida Politics — The Baer campaign is out with a new ad pushing back against an ad from Republican U.S. Rep. Brian Mast, which rebukes a column from Baer criticizing American foreign policy shortly after the 9/11 attacks.” 9/11 had a profound impact on my life,” Baer begins. “It’s the reason that I went into foreign policy and spent the bulk of my career working to defend American values abroad. Our country was safer, more secure, when other countries are more like us. That’s what I did when I advised two Secretaries of State on how to promote democracy and human rights. “I have never questioned Congressman Mast’s patriotism, and I find it deeply disgraceful that he feels the need to discredit mine.”
to view the ad, click on the image below:
“With Honor pulls ad criticizing Baer 9/11 comments” via Ryan Nicol of Florida Politics — With Honor, a nonpartisan group aimed at electing veterans to Congress, has now pulled an ad criticizing Baer over her critiques of American foreign policy folloing 9/11. “Our mission at With Honor, a cross-partisan organization, is to support Republican, Democrat, and independent veteran candidates that put principles first to help fix our broken politics,” said the group’s CEO Rye Barcott in a statement spotted by TCPalm’s Ali Schmitz on Twitter. “With Honor released a political advertisement that I believe does not live up to the spirit of our organization. We decided to take this advertisement down. We commit to learn and do better, and we remain strongly supportive of Mast for Congress.”
“NYT poll gives Debbie Mucarsel-Powell razor-thin edge in CD 26” via Ryan Nicol of Florida Politics — The latest poll from The New York Times (NYT) has Mucarsel-Powell ahead of Republican U.S. Rep. Carlos Curbelo but just 1 percentage point in the race for Florida’s 26th Congressional District. The Times surveyed 499 likely voters Oct. 19-24. Mucarsel-Powell earned 45 percent support to Curbelo’s 44 percent, with 11 percent undecided. That’s a net movement of 4 percentage points toward Mucarsel-Powell from the last time the NYT surveyed the race. Last month, they had Curbelo ahead 47 percent to 44 percent. The Mucarsel-Powell campaign says the results show they have the edge as the campaign closes out ahead of Election Day on Nov. 6. “As we head into these last weeks before Election Day, the momentum is firmly in Debbie’s favor,” said Melvin Félix, a Mucarsel-Powell spokesperson.
“New ad calls Carlos Curbelo ‘the lawmaker we need’” via Ryan Nicol of Florida Politics — The new ad, titled “The Lawmaker We Need,” features testimony from two parents who lost their son in the Pulse Nightclub Shooting back in 2016. In the minute-long spot, Maria and Fred Wright reflect on the loss of their son, Jerry, before describing their talks with Curbelo over how to reduce gun violence in the U.S. “He was a wonderful son, a wonderful friend, and we miss him terribly,” Maria says. “When Jerry was killed, we felt we had to do something to speak out for the voice he didn’t have. So we went to Washington to talk to our lawmakers, and we met Carlos then. He took a picture of our son, and he has told us repeatedly he still has that photo, and he keeps it.”
To view the ad, click on the image below:
New Pride Fund ad reminds voters of NRA $75K investment in Curbelo — Pride Fund to End Gun Violence PAC — America’s only LGBTQ political organization focused primarily on gun violence prevention — today released their most recent campaign ad titled “Consistency.” The ad reminds voters in Florida’s 26th Congressional District how incumbent Curbelo was elected with the help of over $75,000 in campaign contributions from the NRA, and in exchange, his votes in Congress have reflected the gun lobby’s dangerous agenda. The ad then shows how Democratic opponent Debbie Mucarsel-Powell stands apart: through her personal experience with gun violence, she is listening to the loud calls for change to our nation’s gun laws and is ready to act on this issue in Congress.
To view the ad, click on the image below:
“Homestead man arrested after Curbelo gets death threat on Twitter” via Alex Daugherty and Monique Madan of the Miami Herald — A 19-year-old Homestead man was arrested after threatening Curbelo on Twitter, the same day packages suspected of containing explosive material were delivered to a host of liberal political figures around the country. Curbelo initially addressed the threat directly on his Twitter account. “Political intoxication is making some Americans more prone to both verbal and physical violence,” he tweeted. “It’s a serious crisis and we all have to do our part to put an end to it. Not sure what’s more disturbing; the fact that someone tweeted this or that 4 accounts liked it.” Pierre Alejandro Verges-Castro, 19, was arrested by the FBI in conjunction with Capitol Police and the Homestead Police Department, according to law enforcement officials. Verges-Castro was charged with making written threats to kill.
“In House District 63, they register Democrat and vote Republican” via Paul Guzzo of the Tampa Bay Times — “After redistricting, it was one Democrats were supposed to keep winning in Hillsborough County,” said Victor DiMaio, a political consultant not involved in the District 63 race. It hasn’t worked out that way. Republican State Rep. Shawn Harrison has held the seat since 2014, even though Democrats outnumbered Republicans by 6,100 among registered voters in 2014 and by nearly 7,700 more in 2016. Since Republicans tend to send more voters to the polls than Democrats in nonpresidential elections, especially in areas like District 63 with a number of university students, “this should be Harrison’s year,” DiMaio said. “We’ll find out if the blue wave is a wave or a trickle.”
“In circuit judge race, Jamey Moody and Robin Fuson are pushing campaign restrictions” via William March of the Tampa Bay Times — Negative campaigning is rare in judicial races because of strict legal limits, but it’s popping up in the circuit judge race between Fuson and Moody. The Moody campaign has posted a website and is running an ad calling attention to allegations — false, according to Fuson — that he was once fired as a Hillsborough substitute teacher for allowing students to watch a porn film in a classroom and was demoted as an assistant state attorney for improper case management. Backers of Fuson, meanwhile, have spread word that Moody may have violated campaign rules for judges by touting support from state Sen. Tom Lee. Judicial candidates aren’t supposed to associate their campaigns with parties or partisan candidates. Moody is the brother of Ashley Moody, GOP candidate for attorney general.
“In final stretch of midterm elections, Parkland shooting survivors visiting colleges” via Colleen Wright of the Miami Herald — The March for Our Lives movement, which includes students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High, will make its second stop on the 12-day “Vote for Our Lives” tour at Florida International University this Saturday to continue the group’s momentum through the midterm elections. The group aims to encourage young people to vote and prevent gun violence. Students will also make stops at the University of South Florida campus in Sarasota, University of Central Florida, University of Florida, Florida A&M University and University of North Florida, as well as at universities in California, Arizona, Texas, North Carolina, Georgia and Minneapolis.
— AFTER MICHAEL —
“Michael survivors struggle to access health care” via Elizabeth Koh of the Tampa Bay Times — Some need as little as a few dollars for gas to refill prescriptions at a pharmacy or get checkups before surgery. Others have doctors whose offices blew away or they need tanks of oxygen to breathe. Some patients, tending to their families, worry about scheduling appointments for children — or prenatal checkups for mothers and babies yet to be born. What remains for them in Michael’s wake is dread, doubt and an uncertain timeline for a return to normal healthcare. It can take years for communities to recover from a disaster as devastating as Hurricane Michael, said Dr. Patricia Cantwell, a pediatrics professor at the University of Miami who has worked in disaster zones for more than two decades. In such all-encompassing emergencies, the intricate infrastructure of healthcare often shows some of the first and longest-lasting cracks.
“’Why are we still here?’ Unrest and violence at Panhandle prison hit hard by Michael” via Ben Conarck of the Florida Times-Union — At Apalachee Correctional’s East Unit, Michael toppled fences and security infrastructure, tore the roofs off ancillary structures such as the library and laundry buildings and punctured the roofs of multiple dorms, which are now covered in tarps. The conditions degraded to the point where officials placed inmates on restricted movement for nearly a week, meaning they ate only cold sandwiches; had no recreation time or access to canteens. Tensions spiked as a result. In one dorm at the East Unit, they ran so high that a riot nearly broke out. In an unrelated incident, at least one inmate was stabbed. “Why are we still here?” asked Michael Henderson, an inmate at Apalachee, in an email sent to the Times-Union. “If we can’t get to see the medical provider, or have telephone access to a lawyer, why are we still here?”
“Majority of Michael claims coming from Bay County” via the News Service of Florida — About 60 percent of the insurance claims filed in the two weeks after Hurricane Michael were from hard-hit Bay County, according to data posted online by the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation. As of Wednesday afternoon, 101,145 insurance claims had been filed from the Oct. 10 storm, with 61,054 claims in Bay County. The next-highest number was 10,569 claims in Jackson County, followed by 6,693 claims in Leon County, 5,902 claims in Gulf County and 4,178 claims in Gadsden County. The overall estimated insured losses as of Wednesday totaled $1.344 billion.
“Anti-AOB warnings draw backlash from restoration contractors” via Florida Politics — A contractors’ trade association lashed out Thursday against Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis over his warnings to insurance policyholders in the Hurricane Michael zone against signing assignment of benefits agreements. “Don’t let crooked contractors push you to sign away your insurance benefits,” one such advisory reads, delivered by Patronis via his Twitter feed. The message complained of “high pressure” sales tactics. “DO NOT SIGN anything — call your insurance company or my office at 1-877-MY-FL-CFO first,” that tweet shouts. “The bad acts of a few should not be used to paint a broad brush for an entire industry of professional contractors and small business owners who are working around the clock to help Floridians struggling to get their lives back to normal in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael,” Restoration Association of Florida spokeswoman Amanda Prater said in a written statement.
“Verizon, after backlash, says Panama City will be one of the first to get 5G service” via Lawrence Mower of the Tampa Bay Times — Panama City is joining Los Angeles, Houston, Sacramento and Indianapolis in getting the service, which promises download speeds many times faster than traditional 4G LTE. “This is about helping Panama City rebuild better than ever,” Verizon spokeswoman Kate Jay said. The service might just be Verizon’s in-home 5G service, which is meant to replace your traditional home Wi-Fi, albeit with superfast speeds. The other four cities got that service this month. But the service could be over Verizon’s cell towers, like a traditional cellular network. That’s cutting-edge technology that the carrier doesn’t expect to start rolling out until 2019 (other carriers are racing to roll out 5G as well). No phones currently sold are equipped to use 5G cellular technology.
PSC Commissioner Gary Clark laments deaths of three line workers — The men were struck in a hit-and-run accident while restoring power Wednesday near Chipley. “These three men, along with countless others, worked round-the-clock to restore power and return normalcy to the people in areas that were devastated,” the Public Service Commission member said in a written statement. “They will forever be remembered and are the perfect illustration of the dedication of linemen all across the nation.” The dead — George Cecil and Ryan Barrett, both of North Carolina, and James Ussery, of Chipley, were helping restore power to customers of the West Florida Electric Cooperative, where Clark spent most of his career. Clark testified to co-op line workers’ “devotion and compassion in action” and added: “My heartfelt sympathies are with the families of the deceased and the West Florida Electric Cooperative family as they go through this difficult time.”
Assignment editors — Florida Defense Support Task Force to visit Tyndall Air Force Base, with a press availability immediately following the tour, 2:30 p.m., flag Park, Tyndall Air Force Base. Media should RSVP with Kathleen Keenan at [email protected]. Please meet at the Tyndall Visitor Center and a member of Tyndall’s Public Affairs team will escort media to Flag Park.
— STATEWIDE —
“Motion: Scott’s financial ties to energy company should disqualify him from power plant vote” via Steve Contorno of the Tampa Bay Times — The “motion for disqualification” filed by the Sierra Club says Scott’s investments in NextEra Energy Partners is a conflict of interest and should prevent him from ruling on a proposed natural gas plant in Dania Beach. Scott owns as much as $500,000 in NextEra Energy Partners, according to his Senate financial disclosures. NextEra Energy Partners is a company created by NextEra Energy, which is also the parent company of Florida Power & Light. Florida Power & Light is the company behind the proposed Dania Beach plant. The motion also notes the company’s campaign contributions to Scott. “Such entanglements create a conflict of interest between Governor Scott’s financial interests and the interests of Floridians, and preclude the Governor from voting on FPL’s latest fossil fuel-burning power plant without ‘bias, prejudice, or interest,’ ” the motion said.
“Florida scores drop on the SAT; Most teens tested not ready for college classes” via Diane Rado of Florida Phoenix — Even more troubling: Most of the Florida teens tested in the Class of 2018 weren’t considered ready for key college classes, based on the SAT data. The College Board released the Class of 2018’s SAT results for the nation and states across the county. The dataset comes about a week after rival testing giant ACT released its own college entrance exam scores nationwide, revealing stagnant and troubling results for Florida. The state’s average SAT score was 1014 for the Class of 2018, compared to 1017 the year before. The score is a combination of the math test and the reading and writing test. To put the numbers in perspective: The 1014 is well below the national average of 1067, and lower than several states that also have high participation on the SAT exam.
“State Board of Education awards 14 ‘Hope’ awards to struggling schools” via Jeffrey Solochek of the Tampa Bay Times — The Florida Board of Education included Campbell Park, Ponce de Leon and Sandy Lane elementary schools among 14 recipients of the “Hope” awards for 2018-19. Campbell Park, which got an F grade in 2018, will receive $1.2 million. Ponce de Leon, which also earned an F, will get $1.1 million. Sandy Lane, which scored a D, will collect $672,000. The other recipients are Golfview Elementary (Brevard); Hyde Park, Rutledge Pearson, Long Branch and Susie Tolbert elementary schools (Duval); LaBelle Elementary (Hendry); Ballard and Palm View elementary schools (Manatee); Belleview-Santos Elementary (Marion); and Lake Shore Middle and Glade View Elementary (Palm Beach). Combined, the board allocated $12.8 million to the 14 schools. Twenty-one applied.
“Judge sets arguments in Senate discrimination case” via the News Service of Florida — A federal judge has scheduled arguments Nov. 8 on a request by the Florida Senate to shield it from a discrimination case filed by a legislative aide who alleges she was a victim of sexual harassment and retaliation. U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle will hear arguments on a Senate request for a preliminary injunction in the case involving aide Rachel Perrin Rogers, who filed a complaint with the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in January. Lawyers for the Senate are seeking the injunction to block an administrative judge from requiring the Senate’s participation in the EEOC case. The Senate contends, in part, that it is protected by the legal doctrine of sovereign immunity.
“State says track can stop racing horses, keep slots” via Jim Rosica of Florida Politics — It’s big news in Florida’s gambling world: The pari-mutuel formerly known as Calder Race Course has gotten the OK from state gambling regulators to get out of the horse racing business. The Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering granted its petition for a declaratory statement on Thursday, records show. “Calder may operate a full schedule of jai alai performances and maintain its ‘eligible facility’ status to operate slot machine gaming,” the ruling said. Also, Calder “is not required to conduct summer jai alai performances in the state fiscal year preceding operation of slot machines as a summer jai alai licensee.” The decision could open the door for more pari-mutuels that want to get out of live racing.
“Do state pollution controls work? Record phosphorus flow into Lake Okeechobee casts doubt” via Tyler Treadway of TCPalm — One state report paints a rosy picture: The amount of phosphorus, a fertilizer that feeds algae blooms, entering Lake Okeechobee is declining. Another is more dire: The amount of phosphorus entering Lake Okeechobee hit an all-time high in 2017. Who’s right? Turns out the first report, by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, is based on computer modeling and assumptions that “best management practices” are being used and achieving their best-possible results. The second report, by the South Florida Water Management District, uses data collected on site. The DEP says its numbers show the Basin Management Action Plan established to limit pollutants entering Lake Okeechobee is working. In fact, phosphorus concentrations in the lake rose slightly for two years and then spiked in 2017, according to water management district data. High levels of phosphorus feed algae blooms, like the one that covered much of Lake O this summer and flowed into the St. Lucie River with discharged lake water.
“Lake County looking to Tallahassee for more help in combating hydrilla” via Jerry Fallstrom of the Orlando Sentinel — The hydrilla, with long stalks and clusters of leaves that form thick mats on the surface and hinder boat navigation, has gotten so bad on the Harris Chain of Lakes that Lake County officials worry it could threaten the county’s appeal as a fishing hot spot. After commissioners heard that the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is financially strapped to combat the submersed plants on a large scale, they decided Tuesday to ask lawmakers for more resources to eliminate the nuisance plant. Commissioners added the request to their list of legislative priorities for the session that begins in March and also appeal to FWC for more help. A lack of funding to battle hydrilla is an issue across Florida.
— LATEST ON CAPITOL RENOVATIONS —
Nina Ashley, communications director for the Department of Management Services, provided this update: “The Senate parking garage reopened as scheduled in August … The garage has been fully waterproofed and, in the last few months, crews have been focused on installing the memorial park features. This has included grading, installing soil, and setting up lighting, benches, and trellises on both levels as well as installing stone paneling.
“Crews have installed pavers throughout the upper plaza level and have begun work on installing ‘hardscape’ features on the lower level. Hardscape and landscape work is scheduled to continue through the end of the calendar year on the south side of the Capitol Complex.
“On the north side, crews this month (will) begin removal of dirt and old waterproofing on the House parking garage. The fence line for that project extends into the two eastbound lanes of Jefferson Street and south toward the (old) Capitol … The House parking garage project, like the Senate parking garage project, is expected to last about two years.”
Work on the grounds of the Florida Capitol and its underground parking garages began after the Senate garage was first closed in May 2016. It was shut down when its primary support girder showed signs of stress after years of water intrusion.
The original waterproofing, which contained coal tar pitch, had degraded over the years and was letting in water. Structural engineers then saw “an accelerated deterioration” of parts of the garage.
Workers installed shoring for structural stability and removed trees and roughly 6,000 tons of dirt — 5,200 on the Senate and 900 on the House — from the Capitol’s grounds. That remediation has been part of a larger effort to renovate the Capitol grounds.
— DUNBAR’S DONE —
First in Sunburn — Marc Dunbar, a Tallahassee-based lawyer, gaming lobbyist and part-owner of Gretna Racing says he’s a part-owner no more.
His shares in the Gadsden County track and those of business partners David Romanik and Gene McGee, who combined owned 30 percent, were recently been bought out for an undisclosed amount by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, which manages and operates the facility.
This move comes after his parting this summer with The Stronach Group after 19 years of representing their interests. The Stronach Group is the owner of Gulfstream Park Racing and Casino, Florida’s only year-round thoroughbred racing facility, which has become embroiled in a bitter family feud over the control of the company.
Dunbar also represented the Gretna track, known as Creek Entertainment, in a lawsuit over expanding slot machines to counties that approved them in local referendums. The Florida Supreme Court eventually ruled that wasn’t allowed under existing state gambling law.
Dunbar is a partner in the Jones Walker firm’s Government Relations practice group, and he’s a member of Citizens Property Insurance Corp.’s board of governors.
He returned to his law practice this month after a five-month stint as interim Executive Vice President and General Counsel for the integrated mega-resort known as Baha Mar in Nassau, Bahamas.
“These moves close some of the final chapters on what has been a fun book for me,” Dunbar said, adding he is “happily looking forward to the next challenge.”
— OPINIONS —
“Bomb scares and the politics of the apocalypse” via Dan Balz of The Washington Post — Days ahead of crucial midterm elections, the talk is not of better days or a brighter future. Instead, the climate is one of fear, of threat and of division, of caravans from Central America and angry mobs. And now, of explosive devices sent to two former Democratic presidents and others. This is a time of the politics of the apocalypse — an all-or-nothing view of the difference between winning and losing an election and of holding power or not holding it. There is no middle ground on what winning or losing means. This has been on the rise for a long time. But it has intensified of late. No one really knows how to roll it back. Politicians say that it is time for the country to come together. But on whose terms?
“Andrew Gillum needs to explain conflicts in stories of lobbyist pals, FBI agents” via Bill Cotterell of the Tallahassee Democrat — Gillum, running for governor, certainly has the act down pat. When news broke this week about texts turned over to the Florida Commission on Ethics, regarding tickets to the Broadway smash “Hamilton” provided by an FBI sleuth posing as a developer seeking favors from the city, Gillum’s response was worthy of Richard Nixon in his devious prime. And he didn’t forget the race card as he suggested the records were just another attack on his integrity. “The goal is obviously to use my candidacy as a way to reinforce, frankly, stereotypes about black men,” Gillum said. Whose goal? Are there unknown forces out there trying to torpedo him? With polls indicating a tight race, and considering Florida’s history of deciding gubernatorial elections within a percent or two, this is not what Gillum needs to be talking about in the last two weeks of the campaign.
— MOVEMENTS —
“Board of Education asks Commissioner Pam Stewart to remain another year” via Jeffrey Solochek of the Tampa Bay Times — Citing a need for continuity as the state changes governors, the board asked Stewart to stick around for another year. And seeming to surprise even herself, a somewhat teary Stewart responded, “The answer is yes. I don’t know where that came from.” The board recognized all the accomplishments in a resolution that asked Stewart to remain. Although some might believe the governor picks the education commissioner, in Florida that role belongs to the Board of Education, which is made up of governor appointees.
Veterans Florida welcomes new board members — The nonprofit corporation, which assists veterans in the transition to civilian life, recently announced two new board members. House Speaker Richard Corcoran appointed retired Brigadier Gen. Jerry L. Neff and Robert Kirila. Both are “highly decorated veterans and have previously held positions meant to aid those currently serving in the military,” a news release said. The Veterans Florida Board of Directors’ main duties includes working with the Executive Director to approve new initiatives and leading the organization to continue its growth and long-term vision. Veterans Florida provides veteran-friendly education, institutions, and programs meant to maximize veteran employment opportunities.
— WEEKEND TV —
Facing South Florida with Jim DeFede on CBS 4 in Miami: The Sunday show provides viewers with an in-depth look at politics in South Florida, along with other issues affecting the region.
Florida This Week on Tampa Bay’s WEDU: Moderator Rob Lorei hosts a roundtable with attorney Jessica Ehrlich; Emeritus Professor of Government USF St. Petersburg Darryl Paulson; Director of Business and PR/S3Media Travis Horn; and Tampa Bay Times columnist Ernest Hooper.
In Focus with Allison Walker-Torres on Bay News 9: This week’s show will discuss Amendment 6 which would create constitutional rights for crime victims, as well as raise the mandatory retirement age of state justices and judges. Joining Walker-Torres are CRC Commissioner Tim Cerio, proposal sponsor; Michele Levy, League of Women Voters Florida Voter Services Chair; Seminole County Sheriff Dennis Lemma; and Kirk Bailey, Political Director of the ACLU.
Political Connections on CF 13 in Orlando and Bay News 9 in Tampa/St. Pete: A discussion with Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gillum.
The Usual Suspects on WCTV-Tallahassee/Thomasville (CBS) and WJHG-Panama City (NBC): Host Gary Yordon and Steve Vancore will speak with Dr. Ed Moore.
This Week in Jacksonville with Kent Justice on Channel 4 WJXT: Justice will speak with White House Counselor Kellyanne Conway; Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gillum and former Congressman Jason Altmire.
This Week in South Florida on WPLG-Local10 News (ABC): Co-hosts Michael Putney and Glenna Milberg will focus on the midterm elections and Florida’s 27th Congressional District race, plus a roundtable discussing the news of the week.
— ALOE —
“Powerball jackpot up to $750M, Florida Lottery says” via Florida Politics — Billed as the “fourth largest in U.S. lottery history,” the jackpot for Saturday’s Powerball drawing has reached an estimated $750 million, the Florida Lottery announced Thursday. The jackpot “has rolled 21 times since Aug. 15, generating more than $42.1 million in contributions to the state’s Educational Enhancement Trust Fund (EETF),” the Lottery said in a news release. Indeed, since joining the game in 2009, it’s “generated $1.8 billion in contributions to education statewide.”
“Universal parks revenue down from Japan natural disasters” via Gabrielle Russon of the Orlando Sentinel — Natural disasters in Japan caused Universal theme parks revenue to dip slightly to $1.53 billion for the third quarter compared to the same time period last year. Comcast Corp., which owns Universal Orlando parent NBCUniversal, released its third-quarter earnings and executives discussed the results during a conference call. Overall, Comcast beat Wall Street expectations, Reuters reported, as revenue jumped 5 percent to $22.1 billion for the quarter. Comcast stock (Nasdaq: CMCSA) ended Thursday up 5 percent, settling $35.84.
Happy birthday to Dan Dawson and forever his hair, as well as the great Tampa Bay Times reporter, Mark Puente.
