Staff Reports
Last Call — A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics.
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Ed. Note — While Peter is out to speak at the Florida Truckers Association conference this weekend, Sunburn will take the day off tomorrow. But don’t worry — the morning read of what’s hot in Florida politics will return to your inboxes on Monday.
Don’t forget to check out our Takeaways from Tallahassee roundup on Saturday!
Thanks again for your support, and please, stay safe!
First Shot
Gov. Ron DeSantis has appointed two new members and reappointed a third to the Florida Commission on Ethics, a group that serves as the guardian of standards and conduct among officers and employees of the state of Florida.
DeSantis appointed Freddie Figgers, a former member of the Enterprise Florida Board of Directors, and Ashley Lukis, a shareholder at GrayRobinson. Lukis is also the wife of DeSantis’ former Chief of Staff, Adrian Lukis.
DeSantis reappointed Edwin Moore, a former member of the Governor’s Efficiency Task Force.
Figgers is the president and CEO of Figgers Communication. He is also an appointee to the State Board of Administration’s Investment Advisory Council. His wife, Natlie Figgers, was one of DeSantis’ appointees to the Florida A&M board of trustees.
Ashley Lukis was named one of the 2023 Florida Super Lawyers Rising Stars by Super Lawyers Magazine. She’s a contributor to the conservative Federalist Society, though the group notes that being a contributor does not necessarily constitute an endorsement of the group.
Moore is the former President and CEO of the Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida. He previously served as an appointee to CareerSource Florida. He has three degrees — his bachelor’s, master’s, and Ph.D. — from Florida State University.
Evening Reads
—“Ron DeSantis is defending new slavery teachings. Civil rights leaders see a pattern of ‘policy violence’” via Steve Peoples, Brendan Farrington and Kat Stafford of The Associated Press
—”DeSantis debuts a leaner campaign. But donors have their doubts.” via Jonathan Swan, Maggie Haberman and Shane Goldmacher of The New York Times
—“The mysterious dark money group connecting Donald Trump, Chris Christie, and DeSantis” via Roger Sollenberger of The Daily Beast
—“DeSantis’ campaign ‘reset’ apparently involves fighting a Black Republican over slavery” via Jack McCordick of Vanity Fair
—“Joe Biden allies now want to run against ‘collapsing’ DeSantis over Trump” via Asawin Subsaeng and Tessa Stuart of Rolling Stone
—“As Florida continues to bake, Biden announces ways to protect workers from extreme heat” via Alex Harris and Nicolás Rivero of the Miami Herald
—“DeSantis grouses about ‘gender studies’ degrees being paid for by ‘truck drivers’” via A.G. Gancarski of Florida Politics
—“DeSantis’ tourism district wants to cut $8 million for extra Disney deputies” via Skylar Swisher of the Orlando Sentinel
—“Progressive-leaning groups grade 70% of the Legislature as failing to put people first” via Anne Geggis of Florida Politics
—”The nuclear bomb’s enduring, evolving place in pop culture” via Alissa Wilkinson of Vox
—“No one deserves to go to Harvard” via Jerusalem Demsas of The Atlantic
Quote of the Day
“Ron DeSantis comes off as a dangerous, extremist Dwight Schrute in this race — all wound up and self-serious, clenching his fists and embarrassing himself — and we need to be extremely careful not to let Donald Trump cast himself as the Jim Halpert — turning to the camera and smiling at how pathetic his nemesis is.”
— American Bridge President Pat Dennis, on DeSantis’ “collapsing” presidential campaign.
Bill Day’s latest
Breakthrough Insights
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Last Call is published by Peter Schorsch, assembled and edited by Phil Ammann and Drew Wilson with contributions from the staff of Florida Politics.
