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Last Call — A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics.
First Shot
Former presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg on Thursday endorsed about four-dozen down-ballot Democrats running for state legislative seats across the country.
“We need to send Joe Biden and Kamala Harris to the White House, but we also need to elect good leaders at the state and local level. That’s what this endorsement slate is about: making sure that we have forward-thinking, dynamic leaders at every level of our government who will deliver solutions to the biggest challenges we face,” Buttigieg said.
“These 47 candidates are generational leaders, diverse and reflective of the country and communities they are seeking to serve. I’ll be urging our network at Win The Era to join me in supporting exciting candidates up and down the ballot.”
The endorsement list included candidates from all corners of the country, including four from Florida.
Topping the list was Rep. Ben Diamond, who is running for reelection in House District 68. Rep. Shevrin Jones and Orlando-area labor attorney Patricia Sigman, who are running for Senate. Miami Democrat Ricky Junquera also got the nod in House District 118.
Buttigieg said Win The Era, the PAC he after ending his presidential campaign, will spend the final stretch to Election Day endorsing state legislative candidates in Florida and other battleground states where Republicans have a firm grip on the state Legislature.
Coronavirus Numbers
Positive cases:
— 735,685 FL residents (+3,286 since Wednesday)
— 9,303 Non-FL residents (+70 since Wednesday)
Origin:
— 6,402 Travel related
— 274,494 Contact with a confirmed case
— 6,811 Both
— 447,978 Under investigation
Hospitalizations:
— 46,693 in FL
Deaths:
— 15,932 in FL
Evening Reads
“As virus spread, reports of Donald Trump administration’s private briefings fueled sell-off” via Kate Kelly and Mark Mazzetti of The New York Times
“What’s happened in the last 20 days of the last 13 elections” via Phillip Bump of The Washington Post
“Joe Biden has 11-point lead over Trump less than three weeks to Election Day” via Eliza Collins of The Wall Street Journal
“Trump targets Ocala and other Florida exurbs, hoping to repeat his 2016 winning strategy” via Steven Lemongello of the Orlando Sentinel
“Kamala Harris suspends travel after two in her orbit test positive for the coronavirus” via Chelsea Janes and Sean Sullivan of The Washington Post
“‘The polls are wrong!’ Pence and Trump campaign drum up South Florida support with Sunshine State up for grabs” via Skyler Swisher of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel
“DNC to launch ‘Trump lied, 215,000+ died’ billboard ahead of President’s Miami town hall” via Ryan Nicol of Florida Politics
“Adelsons pour $75M into last-ditch effort to save Trump” via Zach Montellaro of POLITICO
“Veep’s glib and evasive answer on climate change and hurricanes bugs Florida man” via Craig Pittman of The Florida Phoenix
“The push for a $15 minimum wage in Florida was winning. Can it survive COVID-19?” via Steve Contorno and Helen Freund of the Tampa Bay Times
“Tyler Perry backing ‘Souls to the Polls’ events in 25 Florida counties” via Scott Powers of Florida Politics
“Accusations fly after robo-text smears Randy Fine” via Alessandro Marazzi Sassoon of Florida Today
“Pinellas group home workers terrorized, restrained disabled boy, lawsuit says” via Christopher O’Donnell of the Tampa Bay Times
“Florida coronavirus: 3,356 new infections, 141 more residents dead” via Tiffini Theisen of the Orlando Sentinel
“Shevaun Harris elevated to Acting AHCA Secretary” via The News Service of Florida
Quote of the Day
“That’s what you call winning.” — Sen. Joe Gruters, on the GOP closing the voter registration gap to within 1 point.
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