Peter Schorsch
Last Call — A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics.
First Shot
Here’s your final reprieve before a deluge of political reporting tomorrow: Volunteer Florida thanked a slew of corporations “for generous donations to the Florida Disaster Fund, which was activated by Gov. Rick Scott to aid those impacted by Hurricane Michael.”
They include Verizon, Chevron, Volkswagen, Shell, The Mosaic Co., WellCare Health Plans, Southwest Airlines, Florida Blue, and Whataburger. Florida Blue made its second donation to the Florida Disaster Fund since Hurricane Michael made landfall.
“In the aftermath of Hurricane Michael, I’ve witnessed people coming together to help their neighbors,” Scott said in a statement.
“These donations to the Florida Disaster Fund are another example of that kindness. While our state continues to recover from this devastating storm, we are thankful for everyone who has contributed to help our families.”
The fund, administered by the Volunteer Florida Foundation, is the State of Florida’s private fund established to assist Florida’s communities in times of disaster.
To make a contribution, visit click here or text “DISASTER” to 20222 to make a one-time $10 donation.
Evening Reads
“Justice Department to monitor voting in three Florida counties” via Zach Sampson of the Tampa Bay Times
“Marco Rubio: There will be a red wave tomorrow” via Emily Birnbaum of The Hill
“Two polls show leads for Andrew Gillum and Bill Nelson, but early vote indicates close races” via Marc Caputo of POLITICO Florida
“The polls tell us something but not everything” via Jennifer Rubin of The Washington Post
“DeSantis-mentum in closing days?” via Adam Smith of Tampa Bay Times
“Ron DeSantis expecting GOP super voters to make the difference on Tuesday” via Scott Powers of Florida Politics
“Don Cheadle ads call out DeSantis’ racism, tell voters to elect Gillum” via Jenna Amatulli of HuffPost
“Gillum responds to Trump cabinet member ‘cotton pickin’ remarks: ‘Go back to Georgia’” via Steve Contorno of the Tampa Bay Times
“Nate Silver pegs Florida Gov. race at 3 in 4 chance for Gillum” via Dan McAuliffe of Florida Politics
“Gillum is Florida’s homecoming king” via Vann R. Newark II of The Atlantic
“Diddy, DJ Khaled, Tiffany Haddish to headline midnight rally for Gillum” via Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics
“Jeb Bush, Gillum is on the line for you …” via Adam Smith of Tampa Bay Times
“Floridians will restore voting rights to ex-cons, another poll says” via A.G. Gancarski of Florida Politics
“Senate GOP committee raises more than $19 million” via The News Service of Florida
“‘No Mo’ Play In FL’: Rapper Pastor Troy endorses Joe Wicker” via Janelle Irwin of Florida Politics
“Florida Insiders make final predictions, pick best and worst campaigns” via Adam Smith of the Tampa Bay Times
“Predictions for Tuesday’s elections, and some Florida races to watch” via Scott Maxwell of the Orlando Sentinel
“15 podcasts to listen to while you’re waiting in line to vote” via A.V. Club
“The demise of the moderate Republican” via George Packer of the New Yorker
Quote of the Day
“Democrats lead by 8.3 percentage points in our generic ballot average, a dramatic reversal from 10 days ago when they led by 8.2 percentage points.” — Nate Silver of FiveThirtyEight, a website that focuses on opinion poll analysis and politics.
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Wake Up Early?
Election Day
Polls will be open 7 a.m.-7 p.m. as voters choose a new governor, pick a U.S. senator and vote on myriad other races and ballot issues.
Republican gubernatorial candidate Ron DeSantis will join his family and supporters for on Election Day sign waving event, 7:15 a.m. Eastern time, Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, 545 A1 a North, Ponte Vedra Beach.
The 1st District Court of Appeal will hear arguments in a public-records dispute between the Florida Department of Health and a Broward County nursing home where residents died after Hurricane Irma in 2017. That’s at 9 a.m., 1st DCA Courthouse, 2000 Drayton Dr., Tallahassee.
Democratic candidate for Governor Andrew Gillum will cast his vote in the 2018 election at his polling place and then hold a media availability. That’s at 10 a.m., Good Shepherd Catholic Church, 4665 Thomasville Road, Tallahassee.
Election Night watch parties
Republican gubernatorial candidate Ron DeSantis will hold an election-night party in Central Florida. That’s at 6 p.m., The Rosen Centre, 9840 International Dr., Orlando.
Democratic candidate for Attorney General Sean Shaw will hold his general election night event at 6 p.m., LeMéridien Tampa, 601 N Florida Ave, Tampa. RSVP or get more details on Facebook.
Democratic candidate for Governor Andrew Gillum’s election night celebration will be outside Lee Hall on the campus of Florida A&M University. His wife R. Jai, running mate and Orlando businessman Chris King and his wife Kristen will also be there. That’s at 7 p.m., 1601 S. Martin Luther King Jr Blvd., Tallahassee.
Ashley Moody, the Republican candidate for attorney general, will hold an election-night reception in Hillsborough County. That’s at 7 p.m., Renaissance Tampa International Plaza Hotel, 4200 Jim Walter Blvd., Tampa.
Republican state Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis will hold an election-night party at his family’s restaurant in Bay County. That’s at 6 p.m., Captain Anderson’s Restaurant, 5551 North Lagoon Dr., Panama City.
Nikki Fried, the Democratic candidate for Agriculture Commissioner, will hold an election-night party in Broward County. That’s at 7 p.m., Good Spirits, 476 North Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale.
Democratic U.S. Rep. Al Lawson of North Florida will host an Election Night Watch Party. That’s at 6:30 p.m., The Moon, 1105 E. Lafayette St., Tallahassee.
