Staff Reports
Last Call — A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics.
First Shot
In the U.S. House, the 19th time was the charm.
House members elected U.S. Rep. Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican. And for the first time during this Congress, all 20 Republicans representing Florida in the House voted in favor of the nominee.
Johnson emerged as the Republican nominee, beating out U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds of Naples. While Donalds rallied much of the Florida delegation during the intraparty battle, he endorsed Johnson ahead of a floor vote.
“My family and I are incredibly grateful for the prayers and support, especially over the last several days,” Donalds posted on X. “I am proud to vote for the gentleman from Louisiana, Speaker-designate Rep. Mike Johnson as the NEXT Speaker of the House. Let’s get to work.”
Johnson also captured the support of several members of the delegation who refused prior nominees.
Most notably, U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz, a Fort Walton Republican, was the only Florida Republican who refused to ever support former Speaker Kevin McCarthy over a protracted, 15-ballot leadership battle in January. Earlier this month, he led the first successful ouster of a sitting Speaker in U.S. history.
Though Florida Republicans lined up behind Johnson, Democratic delegation members were nonplussed by the selection.
The top issue raised by Florida Democrats about the Louisiana Republican was his role in challenging President Joe Biden’s 2020 election victory over Donald Trump. Johnson spearheaded an amicus brief supporting a Texas challenge to Pennsylvania’s election results.
“With their vote today, Republicans have once again turned the House over to MAGA extremism,” said U.S. Rep. Lois Frankel.
Evening Reads
—”The far right gets its man of the House” via Carl Hulse of The New York Times
—”A Speaker without enemies — for now” via Russell Berman of The Atlantic
—”Donald Trump preps for an avalanche of co-conspirators to flip” via Adam Rawnsley and Asawin Suebsaeng of Rolling Stone
—”A case of magnitude: Ron DeSantis’ frontal assault on Voting Rights Act and fate of Black district” via Michael Moline of the Florida Phoenix
—”Florida orders pro-Palestinian student group off its university campuses” via Divya Kumar of the Tampa Bay Times
—“DeSantis adds conservative mini-stars, former staffer to Florida Polytechnic board of trustees” via Christian Casale of the Florida Phoenix
—”Here’s why Floridians, more than other Americans, believe climate change is real” via Bill Kearney of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel
—”Your ‘set it and forget it’ 401(k) made you rich. No more.” via Spencer Jakab of The Wall Street Journal
Quote of the Day
“Any architect of a seditious movement should not be allowed to hold the people’s gavel.”
— U.S. Rep. Maxwell Frost, on Mike Johnson’s role in challenging Joe Biden’s 2020 victory.
Put It on the Tab
Look to your left, then look to your right. If you see one of these people at your happy hour haunt, flag down the bartender and put one of these on your tab. Recipes included, just in case the Cocktail Codex fell into the well.
Gov. Ron DeSantis insists on playing dumb about Trump’s attempt to overturn the vote in Georgia. That earns him an I Dunno.
Florida’s Republican members of Congress get a Bandwagon for unanimously voting to install Louisiana U.S. Rep. Mike Johnson as House Speaker.
Meanwhile, the Democrats in the delegation can sip Sour Grapes while they air their grievances with the new Speaker.
The folks at Aetna deserve a Party in My Pantry for restocking the Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida.
Breakthrough Insights
Tune In
7 p.m. — Houston Rockets @ Orlando Magic
7:30 p.m. — Detroit Pistons @ Miami Heat
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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.
