Hello and welcome to Thursday.
Florida connection— One of the many Democrats who got a good dose of financial help from Sam Bankman-Fried, the now-indicted founder of cryptocurrency exchange FTX, was soon-to-be Florida Rep. Maxwell Alejandro Frost.
Tweet about it— And the 25-year-old Frost, who has earned national attention by becoming the first member of Generation Z to get elected to Congress, took to Twitter on Wednesday to respond to the news of Bankman-Fried’s arrest.
Opening line— “It seems clear that Sam Bankman Fried cheated and conned over a million people out of their money,” Frost tweeted. “Many of these being working class families that lost their life savings. They deserve justice and Sam Bankman Fried should be held accountable.”
Response— In his thread, Frost said that he would donate an amount equivalent to what Bankman-Fried donated directly to his congressional campaign to a non-profit group — the Zebra Coalition — which supports LGBTQ youth in central Florida.
The money— Records show that Bankman-Fried gave $5,800 directly to Frost’s campaign. But the super PAC largely backed by Bankman-Fried also provided nearly $1 million of support including money for television and digital ads that aired ahead of the August Democratic primary that Frost won.
About that— Frost’s response to Protect our Future’s support was this: “He also funded a Super PAC called Protect Our Future which spent money in my district supporting me. I never solicited their support. I don’t want or need support from those scamming working folks, and I’m going to fight to get dark money out of politics.”
Expected— Suffice to say, there were some on Twitter who had reactions to Frost’s thread — some positive and yes, several that were negative — which led Frost on Wednesday night to respond directly to some of his detractors who questioned his decision to turn over money to a nonprofit.
Reply— In one exchange Frost replied: “You rather me send it back to SBF? I can’t refund a donation to anyone other than the person who donated it. Only other option is sending it to a nonprofit. The last thing I’m doing is sending the money back to fund his legal defense fund.”
— WHERE’S RON? — Nothing official for Gov. DeSantis.
PROGRAMMING NOTE: Florida Playbook won’t publish from Monday, Dec. 19 to Monday, Jan. 2. After the hiatus, we’ll be back on our normal schedule on Tuesday, Jan. 3. Please continue to follow POLITICO Florida.
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STACKING IT UP— DeSantis builds his conservative resume as Trump flounders, by POLITICO’s Gary Fineout: In the last two days, Ron DeSantis sought a grand jury to investigate Covid-19 vaccines, questioned a new federal law protecting same-sex marriages and won a legislative victory that will hit the pocket books of lawyers. And there will be more steps by DeSantis to lure conservatives to his side in the coming weeks and months ahead. There are already rumblings that state lawmakers will hold special legislative sessions between now and March to tackle issues such as guns and abortion. Though he has yet to announce his presidential intentions, the moves this week continue the momentum DeSantis built after the Florida governor won reelection by roughly 20 points last month — necessary actions to ensure he doesn’t appear to peak too early.
MEANWHILE — DeSantis holds early lead over Trump among GOP primary voters, by POLITICO’s Kelly Hooper and Olivia Olander: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis edged out former President Donald Trump in a new Wall Street Journal poll of primary voters that pits the two Republicans against each other as top contenders for the GOP nomination in 2024. Fifty-two percent of likely GOP primary voters in the poll preferred DeSantis, compared to the 38 percent who favored Trump in a hypothetical primary race for the Republican nomination. The poll also demonstrated DeSantis’ popularity among likely primary voters, with 86 percent saying they view the Florida governor favorably.
And there’s more— Other recent early polls for 2024 forecast similar outcomes for Trump and DeSantis. A CNN poll released Wednesday showed DeSantis with higher favorability ratings among Republicans and Republican-leaning independents than Trump, at 74 percent and 63 percent, respectively.
AND HERE TOO— “Vanderbilt poll: Support in TN for Trump drops, popularity of abortion access rises,” by Nashville Tennessean’s Melissa Brown: “Tennessee Republicans favor Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis over former President Donald Trump in the 2024 GOP primary, according to new Vanderbilt University polling that showed support Trump has declined over the past year…DeSantis outpaced Trump with 54% favorability to 41%, mirroring national trends that show roughly two-thirds of Republicans favor the Florida governor over the former president.”
IT’S OVER— Florida lawmakers end special session after contentious property insurance fight, by POLITICO’s Matt Dixon and Arek Sarkissian: The direct tab for Florida lawmaker’s three-day special legislative session comes to about $2.2 billion. Now begins the expected, long-running debate over what the political and policy legacy of that cost will be. The session, which concluded Wednesday, produced legislation creating a $751 million spending package aimed at helping residents of localities recover from hurricanes Ian and Nicole, and a $500 million toll rebate program — both big-ticket items.
Caveats— But passage of a sweeping property insurance reform proposal attracted most of the attention because so much controversy surrounded over whether it’s a bailout to the insurance industry or will help homeowners. “It’s not going to provide immediate relief. But we did not get into this problem overnight,” said state Rep. Tom Leek, an Ormond Beach Republican who co-sponsored the insurance bill.
— “Florida lawmakers seeking to calm property insurance storm,” by The Associated Press’ Brendan Farrington and Curt Anderson
— “Florida lawmakers end property insurance session with ‘hope’ rates may fall,” by USA Today Network-Florida’s John Kennedy and Douglas Soule
— “‘Scheme to defraud’: House Democrats decry ‘bailout’ for property insurance industry,” by Florida Politics’ Renzo Downey
R-E-A-C-T— Florida schools tweaking policies, LGBTQ student guides, under ‘Don’t Say Gay,’ by POLITICO’s Andrew Atterbury: Florida’s controversial parental rights law for schools, labeled “Don’t Say Gay” by critics, appears to be working as conservative policymakers intended. School districts throughout the state are changing local policies to comply with the law, which restricts instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity, in hopes of avoiding lawsuits from parents who now can sue over being kept in the dark over changes in their children’s education.
— “Former FAMU athletics official who accused Ramon Alexander of sexting and groping sues university,” by Tallahassee Democrat’s Jeff Burlew
HAPPENING TODAY— State Sen. Shevrin Jones, a Miami Gardens Democrat, will attend a end-of-the year briefing at the White House to discuss the Biden administration’s work in 2022, including passage of the infrastructure bill and other measures.
CALLING OUT DESANTIS — “Anti-LGBTQ rhetoric brought violence, shooting survivors tell House panel,” by Washington Post’s Casey Parks: “Brandon Wolf, a gay man who watched his best friend die in the attack on the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, has spent the six years since the shooting advocating for gun control and LGBTQ rights. Many committee members during the hearing Wednesday directed their questions to him.”
Remarks — “‘For years,’ Wolf said, ‘cynical politicians and greedy grifters have joined forces with right-wing extremists to pour gasoline on anti-LGBTQ hysteria and terrorize our community.’ He specifically called out ‘my own governor, Ron DeSantis,’ who he said “has trafficked in that bigotry to feed his insatiable political ambition and propel himself toward the White House.’ Rep. Pat Fallon (R-Tex.) pushed Wolf to stop blaming Republicans and admit that the gunman had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State.”
THE NEXT CHAPTER — “Rick Scott faces uncertain future after bruising midterm year,” by The Hill’s Max Greenwood: “The GOP’s failed effort to recapture control of the Senate has only intensified the criticism of Scott, the chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), raising questions about his role in the party amid speculation he may still have presidential ambitions. ‘He made a lot of mistakes,’ one Republican Senate campaign consultant said. ‘I think putting out his agenda was the wrong thing to do. I think chest thumping about the number of seats we were going to win was the wrong thing to do. I do think some of those things are going to bite him in the butt,’ the consultant added.”
MURPHY SAYS GOODBYE— Rep. Stephanie Murphygave her farewell speech to Congress on Wednesday where she said “representing my community and my country in Congress has been the greatest honor in my life.” Murphy, whose family fled Vietnam when she was an infant, was the first Vietnamese American woman to get elected Congress when she knocked off longtime Republican Rep. John Mica in 2016. Murphy, a moderate Democrat who sometimes clashed with progressives in her party, opted against seeking another term ahead of redistricting that tilted her seat toward the GOP. Murphy nearly challenged Sen. Marco Rubio but stepped aside when Rep. Val Demings did. Still, Murphy has been mentioned as a potential challenger in 2024 to Sen. Rick Scott.
JUST SAY NO — “Rubio urges U.S. to deny request for undersea internet cable connecting Miami to Cuba,” by El Nuevo Herald’s Nora Gámez Torres: “Florida Sen. Marco Rubio is urging the Federal Communications Commission to deny a request to extend a submarine internet cable connection between South Florida and Cuba, the first of its kind, because of the risk that the Cuban government could use it for intelligence purposes. A committee led by the Justice Department comprising the Department of Homeland Security and the Defense Department has already recommended that the FCC deny the application, citing the counterintelligence threat posed by Cuba.”
— “Rick Scott sidesteps question about Ron DeSantis’ ‘war on vaccines,’” by Florida Politics’ A.G. Gancarski
— “Michael Waltz campaigns on Hill for Vern Buchanan’s Ways and Means bid,” by Florida Politics’ Jacob Ogles
SPIN THE WHEEL— “Feds urge court to reverse invalidation of Florida’s gambling compact with Seminole Tribe,” by Miami Herald’s Mary Ellen Klas: “Lawyers for the federal government asked a federal appeals court on Wednesday to reverse a ruling that invalidated Florida’s attempt to give the Seminole Tribe a monopoly on sports betting in the state. A three-judge panel on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit heard arguments from lawyers for the U.S. Department of Interior, the State of Florida, the Seminole Tribe and the plaintiffs — West Flagler Associates, which owns Magic City Casino and Bonita Springs Poker Room near Naples.”
WHO’S MEGAPHONE IS IT? — “How partisan angst, conspiracies thrive in Miami’s Spanish-language media echo chamber,” by Miami Herald’s Andres Viglucci, Joey Flechas and Lesley Cosme Torres: “The caller to the Miami morning radio talk show was convinced there was something seriously off with news stories saying a radicalized Bay Area man in search of U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi had entered her San Francisco home in the middle of the night and attacked her husband with a hammer. ‘No one has seen the hammer. No one has seen the wound,’ said the caller, in Spanish, on La Poderosa 670 AM, dismissing mainstream news accounts of the attack as a ‘telenovela’ scripted by Democrats.”
CONTESTED — “Trump, Rubio wade into battle for leadership of PBC Republican Party,” by Palm Beach Post’s Stephany Matat: “Republicans carried wins all throughout Florida during the midterm cycle, including flipping blue Palm Beach County. But the chairman of the Republican Party of Palm Beach County, Michael Barnett, is facing opposition and pushback in his current campaign for re-election even with endorsements from Donald Trump and Marco Rubio. Barnett, who has been chairman since 2014, said the GOP’s successes in the county, which was won by Gov. Ron DeSantis, the state’s Cabinet officers and even one congressional candidate, should be enough to warrant another term.”
— “Anthony Sabatini wins Lake GOP chair,” by Florida Politics’ Jacob Ogles
LOSING THE BUZZ— “‘This will take years’: Florida’s beekeepers reel from Hurricane Ian,” by The New York Times’ Remy Tumin: “The Florida State Beekeepers Association estimated that Hurricane Ian destroyed between 150,000 and 300,000 beehives, a loss that could have far-reaching consequences across the United States. Many beekeepers keep their hives in Florida in fall and winter before leasing them out to large farms from coast to coast to assist in pollination for the country’s food supply. ‘Bees don’t make honey for us to eat for our biscuits,’ John Coldwell, the association’s president, said. ‘Bees make honey so that they can survive through the next season.’ Mr. Coldwell said that at least 100 beekeepers in the state would never recover.”
WEIGHING IN — Bob Graham tells court that Apalachicola Bay remains at risk from Georgia’s water use, by POLITICO’s Bruce Ritchie: “Former Gov. Bob Graham is asking a federal court to direct an agency to study and limit the harm caused downstream in Florida by reservoirs on the Chattahoochee River upstream in Georgia. Graham filed a brief last week in a challenge by Alabama and environmental groups to the Army Corps of Engineers approving the use of water from reservoirs by Georgia cities in a legal dispute that has spanned four decades.”
RULES FOR THEE— “Florida student’s Twitter bot tracking Musk’s jet suspended,” by Tampa Bay Times’ Christopher Spata: “A Twitter account programmed to automatically post the movements of a private jet belonging to Twitter’s owner and CEO, Elon Musk, was suspended Wednesday. The suspension of @elonjet caught the bot’s creator, 20-year-old University of Central Florida student Jack Sweeney, by surprise, Sweeney said by phone, especially since Musk previously tweeted that he would not remove the account. ‘My commitment to free speech extends even to not banning the account following my plane even though that is a direct personal safety risk,’ Musk posted on Nov. 6, shortly after he purchased Twitter in late October.”
— “Black female police major sues Miami, arguing her demotion was racist, sexist decision,” by Miami Herald’s Charles Rabin
— “Demand for pumps jumps with rising seas and flood risks. Florida’s bill will be massive,” by Miami Herald’s Nicolas Rivero
— “After debate over flags, Miami-Dade Schools maintain status quo on what’s allowed, by Miami Herald’s Sommer Brugal
— “Florida manatees facing starvation fed through program,” by Associated Press’ Curt Anderson
— “DOJ returns to Florida prison where probe found misconduct, staff sexual assaults,” by Orlando Sentinel’s Amanda Rabines
— “Three Surfside officials including city manager and police chief resign within days,” by Miami Herald’s Raisa Habersham
— “Rapper 50 Cent has sued a Miami-area spa in a dispute over penis surgery promotion,” by Miami Herald’s Devoun Cetoute: “Rapper 50 Cent has filed a lawsuit against a Miami-Dade County plastic surgery center over promotional material and a dispute involving a penis procedure. A federal judge said this week the lawsuit has merit and won’t be dismissed. Curtis J. Jackson III, 50 Cent’s legal name, filed suit in Miami federal court in September against Angela Kogan and her business, Perfection Plastic Surgery & Med Spa in Sunny Isles Beach.”
BIRTHDAYS: Former Florida Democratic Party chair Terrie Rizzo … Gabriel Groisman, attorney and former mayor of Bal Harbour.
