POLITICO Florida Playbook: DeSantis travels to New York in the final stretch

Gary Fineout's must-read briefing on what's hot, crazy or shady about politics in the Sunshine State

Oct 31, 2022 View in browser   By Gary Fineout Hello and welcome to Monday. Happy Halloween. Detour — If you wanted a sign of supreme confidence about the upcoming election (as well as another sign of 2024 aspiration), nothing probably displayed it more than Gov. Ron DeSantis' decision to zip to New York on Saturday and campaign for GOP gubernatorial candidate Lee Zeldin with less than two weeks left before Election Day. Other events — It's not that Team DeSantis was completely off the campaign trail over the weekend. DeSantis showed up at a Luke Bryan concert (which apparently got the denizens of Twitter agitated enough to prompt Bryan to respond) on Friday, hit the Florida-Georgia game on Saturday afternoon and made an appearance at Ava Maria University in Collier County on Sunday. Part of a pattern — The appearance in Long Island (where DeSantis hit many of the same themes he does during his Florida campaign stops) does mark one of several that DeSantis has made outside of Florida this cycle for GOP candidates. DeSantis did cast the campaign appearance as a way to help someone — as he did for longtime friend Adam Laxalt in Nevada — he has known for several years. "I think he's going to win. He's a good candidate," DeSantis said of Zeldin on Sunday. Response — Democrats tried to hit DeSantis over the trip to New York. "We are a week out from an election and Ron DeSantis is already leaving Florida behind," said Travis Reuther, a spokesperson for the Florida Democratic Party. "After sticking his constituents with an extreme abortion ban and skyrocketing housing costs, he's off preening for billionaires and promoting his personal brand." Final push — For his part, DeSantis doesn't sound too worried. If anything, part of his closing message to his supporters is to help him get a blowout win over Democratic rival Charlie Crist (who he just about never mentions by name). "Don't take anything for granted, don't be complacent," DeSantis told supporters in Collier County. — WHERE'S RON? — Nothing official announced for Gov. DeSantis. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for Playbook? Get in touch: gfineout@politico.com   NEW AND IMPROVED POLITICO APP: Stay up to speed with the newly updated POLITICO mobile app, featuring timely political news, insights and analysis from the best journalists in the business. With a fresh look and improved features, the sleek and navigable design offers a convenient way to access POLITICO's scoops and groundbreaking reporting. Don't miss out on the app you can rely on for the news you need, reimagined. Already a POLITICO app user? Upgrade today! DOWNLOAD FOR iOS  – DOWNLOAD FOR ANDROID .     CAMPAIGN MODE NEW YORK STATE OF MIND — " DeSantis stumps for Zeldin, painting Florida as New York's future ," by POLITICO's Anna Gronewold: Electing a Republican New York governor on Nov. 8 — which hasn't been done since 2002 — "will be the 21st century version of the shot heard round the world," Gov. Ron DeSantis said. DeSantis earned cheers touting his own record of avoiding Covid-19 vaccine mandates, criticizing state education policies teaching about systemic racism and cracking down on the protests in the wake of George Floyd death in 2020 by using National Guard forces. He said that Zeldin's leadership — particularly in criminal justice areas — would stop the outmigration to his own state. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, left, campaigns for New York Republican gubernatorial candidate Lee Zeldin at a rally on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022, in Hauppauge, N.Y. | Julia Nikhinson/AP Photo SO ABOUT THAT — " Luke Bryan defends decision to bring out 'polarizing' Gov. Ron DeSantis at Florida show after backlash ," by USA Today's Pamela Avila: "Then Sunday, [Luke] Bryan shared a statement on Twitter defending his decision to give DeSantis a platform at his show. 'I typically don't respond to stuff when I'm getting run down on a social platform but here's the deal,' Bryan wrote. 'I understand Governor DeSantis is a very polarizing figure. But I grew up in a country where if a governor (asks) you if they can come and raise awareness to help victims of a natural disaster you help.'" TALE OF THE TAPE — " Florida mismatch: Numbers reveal big DeSantis advantage over Crist in governor's race ," by USA Today Network-Florida's Zac Anderson: "Florida's unusually lopsided governor's race is barreling into the final week with the scales heavily weighted in favor of Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, who has some big advantages over Democrat Charlie Crist. When it comes to fundraising and other key ingredients of a successful campaign, the race may be the biggest mismatch of any contest for Florida governor in modern times. DeSantis dominates. Whether that carries over into a dominating performance on Election Day remains to be seen." COMING OUT — " As Election Day approaches, Trump-DeSantis 2024 rivalry seeps into the public ," by CNN's Gabby Orr, Steve Contorno and Kristen Holmes : "Months after [former President Donald] Trump told The Wall Street Journal he would support Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' bid for reelection, the former President and his home-state governor appear increasingly likely to collide in a heated 2024 presidential primary. While neither has formally announced a presidential campaign, both have taken steps in the closing days of the 2022 cycle to cement themselves as team players and kingmakers — locking horns in those pursuits. 'We have a rift with Trump. Big shocker,' said a source close to the DeSantis campaign, who was granted anonymity to speak candidly. 'It's no secret that things are cool between [Trump and DeSantis] right now. They're not punching each other, but we're not helping them and they're not helping us.'" FLIP ALERT — " Democrats worry the GOP could win traditionally liberal Miami-Dade ," by Washington Post's Sabrina Rodriguez: "Mauricio Restrepo is frustrated that Democrats have failed to put up more of a fight against Republican gains in his home county of Miami-Dade, a liberal stronghold that could be captured by a GOP gubernatorial candidate for the first time in 20 years. 'There's no way around it. It used to be a toss-up state, but I would say it's not even close anymore,' said the 39-year old teacher, who is a registered Democrat and Colombian American. Restrepo predicts that Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), who is running for reelection this year, is going to win in Miami-Dade County. 'All the Republicans are going to win for sure.'" CAMPAIGN ROUNDUP — Crist will cast his ballot this morning in home town of St. Petersburg before launching the "Choose Freedom Bus Tour." The bus tour is part of a nine-day statewide tour where Crist and his running mate, Karla Hernández-Mats, will hit "critical counties" such as Broward, Duval, Palm Beach, Volusia, and Hillsborough. "Whether it's fighting to protect a woman's right to choose, fighting to protect our rights at the ballot box, or fighting for a better, more affordable Florida — our freedoms and the future of our state are on the line in 9 days," said Crist in a statement. … Sen. Marco Rubio will make campaign stops on Monday in Panama City, Pensacola and Winter Haven. Rubio is holding "Getting Things Done" rallies at all three locations … Rep. Val Demings and Rep. Jim Clyburn, the House majority whip, will hold a lunch and community conversation with local pastors in Orlando. … Speaking of Clyburn, the South Carolina Democrat is also helping out Maxwell Alejandro Frost, the Democratic nominee for Florida's 10th Congressional District. Clyburn attended a fundraiser for Frost on Sunday night and the two will hold a press conference near an early voting location on Monday. — " Charlie Crist's 'Votercade for Democracy' aims to drive Hispanic voters to polls ," by Florida Politics' Anne Geggis MESSAGE — "' They want to destroy us all': GOP canvasser beaten in Hialeah makes fiery speech ," by Miami Herald's Nicholas Nehamas and Sarah Blaskey: "Christopher Monzon, the GOP canvasser beaten a week ago in Hialeah in what he says was a politically motivated attack, had a message for his fellow Republicans. 'They want to destroy us all,' Monzon said in a defiant speech Sunday about those he sees as violently opposed to Republicans, including the political left, members of the media and his assailants. 'They're not hiding it anymore.'" — " Was Hialeah beating of GOP canvasser a case of political violence? A timeline of events ," by Miami Herald's Ana Claudia Chacin and Nicholas Nehamas VOTERS ARE VOTING — More than 2.66 million people have voted ahead of the Nov. 8 election, according to the latest information on the state Division of Elections website. Nearly 1.9 million people have voted by mail so far. Of those, 809,561 have come from Democrats and 704,962 have come from registered Republicans. Overall, there are more than 2.41 million mail ballots that have been requested but not yet returned. Of those, more than 1.06 million are held by Democrats and nearly 722,000 are with Republicans. More than 776,000 have also voted early this week. That includes 417,918 Republicans and 227,272 Democrats. The totals numbers show that roughly 86,000 more Republicans have voted than Democrats. IMPACT — "' Chaos and confusion': The campaign to stamp out ballot drop boxes ," by The Center for Public Integrity's Aaron Mendelson and Pratheek Rebala : "University of Florida political scientist Daniel A. Smith reviewed information from counties and estimated that one-fourth of Florida's ballot drop boxes would be eliminated or limited due to the law. Boxes at early voting sites can be used only during early voting hours, for instance. 'It's like having an ATM outside of a bank that is only open during banking hours. What's the point? Except … to restrict the ability of people to use them,' Smith said. Smith reviewed data from Florida's Manatee County in 2020 and found that Black voters, Hispanic voters and voters with disabilities were more likely than white voters to drop off their ballots at the 24/7 locations after hours." BY THE NUMBERS — The latest campaign finance filings show that DeSantis raised more than $8.94 million between Oct. 15 to Oct. 29, while Crist raised nearly $2.7 million. The totals include money raised for campaign accounts and for political committees controlled by the candidates. Following the money — The weekly total for DeSantis includes nearly $202,000 in taxpayer money as well as $500,000 from Judicial Crisis Network , a conservative legal group that has spent millions of dollars pushing for the confirmation of Supreme Court justices such as Amy Coney Barrett and Brett Kavanaugh and whose president is a former law clerk for Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. He also received $250,000 from engineering and construction company MasTec and $250,000 from Floridians for Economic Advancement. The weekly total for Crist includes nearly $274,000 in public matching money and $50,000 from Victoria Cummock, $100,000 from Gloria Page and $100,000 from Jacqueline Asplundh. In the bank — DeSantis has more than $94 million unspent, while Crist has more than $4 million, according to state reports (which don't reflect any future planned expenditures). LEFT BEHIND — " These Democrats could thwart DeSantis, but they have little support, " by Tampa Bay Times' Lawrence Mower: "And despite [Gov. Ron] DeSantis' national profile, the three Democrats have received little support from the state party or national donors — the latest sign of Florida's slide from a swing state to a GOP stronghold. 'The Cabinet is always going to be fighting for oxygen,' said Nikki Fried, the outgoing Democratic agriculture commissioner. … 'There has been a conscious decision ... not to put the resources in the Cabinet races,' Fried said. 'It's really hard out here, and if you're not getting the support from your party leadership, it's really lonely.'" — " Barack Obama call hopes to boost Florida Dems in final stretch of midterms ," by Florida Politics' Kelly Hayes — " Misery wrought by Hurricane Ian focuses attention on gubernatorial candidates' climate records ," by WUSF's Amy Green — " Gruters intervene in Hillsborough Republican party leadership dispute ," by Tampa Bay Times' William March — " Rick Scott says it's Ron DeSantis 'choice' not to rally with Donald Trump ," by Florida Politics A.G. Gancarski — " Ted Cruz stumps in Seminole to boost conservatives, predicts 'red tsunami' on Election Day ," by Orlando Sentinel's Skyler Swisher — " Edgewater mayoral candidate, former police chief charged in theft of opponent's signs ," by The Daytona Beach News-Journal's Frank Fernandez — " Republicans hit Tampa Sen. Janet Cruz with sketchy Hurricane Ian charity claim ," by Tampa Bay Times' William March   DON'T MISS POLITICO'S 2nd ANNUAL DEFENSE SUMMIT ON 11/16: The United States is facing a defining moment in the future of its defense, national security and democratic ideals. The current conflicts and developments around the world are pushing Washington to reshape its defense strategy and how it cooperates with allies. Join POLITICO for our second annual defense summit, "At a Crossroads: America's Defense Strategy" on November 16 in person at the Schuyler DC or join online to hear keynote interviews and panels discussing the road ahead for America's national security. REGISTER HERE .     ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... FOR YOUR RADAR — " Florida lawmakers, DeSantis aide can face redistricting questions, says judge ," by News Service of Florida's Jim Saunders: "A Leon County circuit judge has ruled that key state lawmakers and a top aide to Gov. Ron DeSantis can be questioned about a controversial congressional redistricting plan that passed in April. Judge J. Lee Marsh, in two rulings dated Thursday, cleared the way for depositions of six lawmakers, five current and former legislative staff members and J. Alex Kelly, a deputy chief of staff to DeSantis. He also ordered the DeSantis administration to provide documents sought by plaintiffs challenging the redistricting plan, though he will privately review the documents to determine whether they should be shielded." — " Gov. Ron DeSantis turns Florida into GOP education laboratory with focus on race, LGBTQ issues ," by USA Today Network-Florida's Zac Anderson — Florida takes next step to ban gender-affirming treatments for kids , by POLITICO's Arek Sarkissian THE GUNSHINE STATE 'THE COMMUNITY WILL BE ABLE TO HEAR THE PAIN' — " Families get final say before Parkland shooter is sentenced ," by The Associated Press' Terry Spencer: "Florida school shooter Nikolas Cruz will be sentenced to life in prison this week — but not before the families of the 17 people he murdered get the chance to tell him what they think. A two-day hearing is scheduled to begin Tuesday that will conclude with Circuit Judge Elizabeth Scherer formally sentencing Cruz for his Feb. 14, 2018, massacre at Parkland's Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. Because the jury at his penalty trial could not unanimously agree that the 24-year-old deserved a death sentence, Scherer can only sentence the former Stoneman Douglas student to life without parole — an outcome most of the families criticized." PENINSULA AND BEYOND WHAT'S GOING ON? — " Antisemitic hate message displayed at end of Florida-Georgia game, throughout Jacksonville ," by Florida Times-Union's Teresa Stepzinski: "An electronic antisemitic message appeared at TIAA Bank Field at the end of the Georgia-Florida game Saturday night, according to a video shared by a television reporter. The hate message came as similar messages appeared on signs elsewhere in Jacksonville Friday and Saturday. The message "Kanye was right about the jews" was projected onto TIAA Bank Field's videoboard. It referred to Ye, the artist formerly known as Kanye West, who posted hate speech attacking Jews on social media earlier in the week. Other hate messages reported in Jacksonville included banners hoisted on an Interstate 10 overpass on Jacksonville's Westside and on the Arlington Expressway and a message projected on the outside of a downtown building." AND THIS — " Racist, antisemitic graffiti spray painted in Weston neighborhood ," by NBC 6's Jamie Guirola: "Residents in a Weston neighborhood are seeking answers after racist and antisemitic graffiti was spray painted in the area for the second time in less than a month. State Rep. Robin Bartleman, a Democrat whose district includes the Weston Hills neighborhood where the graffiti was found, posted pictures on social media showing the disturbing writings. A swastika was spray painted on a speed limit sign as well as a sign into the neighborhood and an electrical box." MAGIC 8-BALL SAYS — " Pot dispensaries at Florida Circle K stores? Can legal recreational weed be far behind? " by South Florida Sun-Sentinel's Ron Hurtibise: "While the number of dispensaries in Florida have increased to nearly 500 since voters approved a ballot measure in 2016 legalizing marijuana for medical use, none have so-far been co-branded with a major retail chain. Such a high-profile pairing can trigger confusion about what uses are and are not allowed, says Sarah Reiner, an attorney with Florida-based law firm GrayRobinson whose areas of focus include the cannabis industry. 'When people start talking about selling at 7-Eleven or Circle K, it changes their perception away from medical uses and its aspects,' Reiner said. 'People think about who comes in and out of convenience stores — kids from middle schools and high schools.'" — " Disney won't back down from 'rich, diverse' offerings, CEO says ," by Orlando Sentinel's Katie Rice — " After whistleblower complaint was closed, Rebekah Jones' shared altered official letter ," by Pensacola News Journal's Jim Little — " Rent control ordinance shouldn't be on Orange County ballots, appeals court rules ," by Orlando Sentinel's Stephen Hudak and Jeff Weiner ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN BIRTHDAYS: Former Puerto Rico Gov. Luis Fortuño of Steptoe and Johnson ... former Rep. David Jolly … POLITICO's Michael Kruse …. Birthday week: Ivanka Trump (was Sunday)   Follow us on Twitter Gary Fineout @fineout   Subscribe to the POLITICO Playbook family Playbook  |  Playbook PM  |  California Playbook  |  Florida Playbook  |  Illinois Playbook  |  Massachusetts Playbook  |  New Jersey Playbook  |  New York Playbook  |  Ottawa Playbook  |  Brussels Playbook  |  London Playbook View all our political and policy newsletters Follow us

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