Staff Reports
Last Call — A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics.
First Shot
Rep. Fentrice Driskell, the House Minority Leader, will not run for U.S. Senate, according to NBC News.
Driskell told the outlet she has given the bid, which would challenge Florida’s junior Sen. Rick Scott, “a lot of thought.” But she said she realized her “work in the Florida House is not done yet.”
Driskell’s decision, however, was not without criticism for Scott.
“While in Tallahassee, Rick Scott spearheaded disastrous policies that have made Florida less affordable, less safe, and less free,” Driskell said in a statement. “He does not deserve to represent Florida in the U.S. Senate. But through my conversations across the state, it became clear to me that my fight for Florida is right here at home.”
Driskell represents parts of Hillsborough County in Florida House District 67. She pointed to Gov. Ron DeSantis’ flailing presidential campaign and noted that once he shifts his attention back to Florida “he can do more damage” and “we need to be ready.” She said she would work to “build the critical infrastructure we need statewide to win, and to send Rick Scott home.”
Her decision means former U.S. Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, a Miami Democrat, will likely be her party’s nominee against the former two-term Florida Governor.
A recent poll suggested she could put up a strong challenge, with the Global Strategy Group survey showing Mucarsel-Powell up a statistically insignificant one percentage point over Scott, though many point to bias within the poll.
Still, there have been rumblings of Mucarsel-Powell as Democrats’ best shot all month. Political power players ranging from AFL-CIO and Planned Parenthood leadership to former colleagues in Congress have urged her to run.
Further, U.S. Sen. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer himself has discussed the potential bid with Mucarsel-Powell.
Evening Reads
—”Why Donald Trump’s rivals think they can stop him in Iowa” via Molly Ball of Time
—“If Ron DeSantis has a shot in hell, it starts here” via Lyz Lenz of Rolling Stone
—“DeSantis pitches outsider campaign, relies on Florida insider cash” via Emily L. Mahoney and Teghan Simonton of the Tampa Bay Times
—“Vivek Ramaswamy’s truth” via John Hendrickson of The Atlantic
—“Poll suggests Trump’s failure to debate Wednesday could hurt him” via A.G. Gancarski of Florida Politics
—“Democrats, popcorn in hand, root for a rowdy GOP debate” via Reid J. Epstein of The New York Times
—“Elon Musk’s shadow rule” via Ronan Farrow of The New Yorker
—“House Freedom Caucus rolls out demands to avoid shutdown” via Jordain Carney of POLITICO
—“FAU presidential search ‘fully complied’ with Sunshine Law, lawyer says” via Jesse Scheckner of Florida Politics
—“Will the real Orlando airport please stand up? Airports fight over Orlando name.” via Gabrielle Russon of Florida Politics
Quote of the Day
“If you’re in Poland or Brazil or wherever, you don’t have a right to come to this country.”
— Ron DeSantis on the immigration policy he would pursue if elected President.
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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.
