| | | | |  | | By Kimberly Leonard | |  Former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to the media after voting at a polling station setup in the Morton and Barbara Mandel Recreation Center on March 19, 2024, in Palm Beach, Florida. | Joe Raedle/Getty Images | | Good morning and welcome to Tuesday. Donald Trump's position on abortion left voters with plenty of cliffhangers. One of them has to do with Florida. In a 4-minute video on Truth Social, Trump on Monday said states should decide how to regulate abortion. He refused to cave to anti-abortion organizations’ demands that he endorse a specific gestational limit and made it clear that he thought doing so was an electoral loser for Republicans. But as a Florida resident, Trump will be asked on the ballot in November whether he supports restoring broad abortion access in the state. It’s a sardonic twist to the 2024 election. On the one hand, Trump called the six-week limit Gov. Ron DeSantis signed into law — one that will go into effect May 1 — “a terrible thing.” On the other hand, the ballot’s language on when abortion would be legal is broad, and Trump just blasted late-pregnancy abortions as “radical.” The Biden campaign is so confident that abortion rights is a winning issue for them that they have gone so far as to declare Florida “in play,” though Democrats haven’t spent major funds here and keep falling behind on voter registration. Florida Democrats are already accusing Trump of being responsible for restrictive abortion laws since he appointed several of the U.S. Supreme Court justices who overturned Roe v. Wade. The Republican Party of Florida, as well as top elected Republicans in the state, plan to urge voters to cast their ballots against the referendum. They have been describing the language as overly permissive, contending that health care providers are left with far too much latitude to decide instances in which to perform later abortions in Florida. A show of support from Trump could certainly garner earned media on the issue in a state where messaging on the referendum will be costly for both sides. Florida Republicans consider the six-week ban to be one of their signature conservative achievements, but it could be obliterated if voters give the thumbs up to the ballot initiative. DeSantis will be key to watch in the coming weeks to see if he addresses Trump’s comments head on; his office and political operation didn’t reply to questions from Playbook on the matter. During the GOP presidential primary, DeSantis accused Trump of not being “pro-life,” and he recently predicted the “very extreme” abortion referendum would fail in Florida. The measure needs 60 percent of voter support to pass. Also keep an eye on Republicans in the Florida delegation, who are flying into Washington, D.C. today with Congress back in session. Will they back Trump’s position — grateful for an opening to punt on the topic ahead of the election — or challenge him on it? Trump certainly made it clear throughout the day yesterday that he’ll rain down his keyboard-funneled rage against anyone who disagrees with his position. WHERE'S Ron: DeSantis will hold a press conference in Stuart at 10 a.m. with Attorney General Ashley Moody. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for Playbook? Get in touch at: kleonard@politico.com | | | | Access New York bill updates and Congressional activity in areas that matter to you, and use our exclusive insights to see what’s on the Albany agenda. Learn more. | | | | | |  | ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... | | | 
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis | Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images | GOV RESPONDS TO RULING ON MIGRANT FLIGHTS — Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday said a federal lawsuit filed against a Florida-based contractor that flew around 50 Venezuelan undocumented immigrants to Massachusetts was frivolous because they signed consent forms before they were flown to a state offering protections from federal immigration laws. A group of migrants sued DeSantis and Vertol Systems Co. after they were flown from San Antonio Texas to Martha's Vineyard in September 2022. The flight was the start of a new DeSantis program allows state dollars to go toward flying migrants to states that offer protections as sanctuary jurisdictions. A Boston judge dismissed DeSantis from the lawsuit last week but allowed the case against Vertol to continue. DeSantis said during a news conference in Sanford that the contractor did nothing wrong. "Everyone who gets on the transportation signs of form saying that they know what they're doing, they're consenting — this is not something that's being done against anybody's will," DeSantis said, later adding, "I don't see how you could possibly sustain a suit against the vendor." The first flight of migrants that went to Martha's Vineyard quickly overwhelmed the small, touristy island, prompting Massachusetts officials to call in the National Guard. DeSantis said if Massachusetts and 10 other sanctuary states want to be known as safe havens for migrants, they should be better prepared. “There may be these elite liberal enclaves, who want to advocate those policies, but they only do it as long as they don't have to face the consequences of those policies," DeSantis said. "And that's the problem." —Arek Sarkissian TREATMENT PUSH — “DeSantis announces expansion of opioid recovery program as he signs new fentanyl laws,” reports Florida Politics’ Christine Jordan Sexton. “The DeSantis administration is doubling up its efforts to break the cycle of addiction and reduce the number of overdoses by expanding a medication-assisted treatment program to an additional 17 counties across Florida.” POSITIVE SIGNS — “Home insurance cost hikes slowed at the end of 2023. Some say the crisis may be nearing its end,” reports Ron Hurtibise of the South Florida Sun Sentinel. “Home insurance rates in Florida far outpaced inflation over the 18 months that ended on Dec. 31, but the rate of increase slowed in the fourth quarter of 2023 to its lowest point of the period. And many insurance insiders are optimistic that rates will continue to stabilize this year and next, barring a big costly you-know-what.” REFERENDUM LANGUAGE — “DeSantis says abortion amendment ‘overrides’ Florida parental consent laws. Is he right?” by the Miami Herald’s Alexandra Glorioso. “What’s clear from the ballot summary language is that it explicitly protects a different section of the state constitution that requires parents or guardians to be notified before their child has an abortion. And it’s silent on other Florida laws regulating abortions, such as a 2020 state law requiring parents to give consent to the medical procedure before a child can access it.” | | PENINSULA AND BEYOND | |
PUNTED — “Federal appeals court grants delay in DeSantis, Disney legal battle,” reports Skyler Swisher of the Orlando Sentinel. “A federal appeals court granted The Walt Disney Co. a two-month delay Monday in its still-pending legal battle with Gov. Ron DeSantis and state officials. Disney settled separate lawsuits in state court last month and asked for a 60-day delay in filing its opening brief in federal court to ‘facilitate’ further negotiations. As of late, both sides have said they want to work together on economic development as Disney plans to invest billions of dollars into its theme parks over the next decade.”
|  A Spirit Airlines 319 Airbus approaches Manchester Boston Regional Airport for a landing. | Charles Krupa/AP | STARTING SEPT. 1 — “Spirit Airlines to furlough 260 pilots as it defers deliveries of new Airbus jetliners,” reports the South Florida Sun Sentinel’s David Lyons. “Discount carrier Spirit Airlines, which is struggling to return to profitability, announced Monday it is furloughing 260 pilots as it moves to defer the deliveries of new Airbus jetliners and adjust staffing amid the continuing grounding of planes for engine inspections.” ELECTION DAY — “Pasco voters go to the polls Tuesday to choose city leadership,” reports the Tampa Bay Times’ Barbara Behrendt. “Voters in all six of Pasco County’s municipalities will choose new leaders in Tuesday’s election with the the highest profile race in Dade City. There are two city commission seats up for grabs in Dade City this year. The Group 3 seat will pit incumbent Jim Shive against challenger Lucinda Uribe but it is the Group 4 race that has been the hot topic on social media in the community. Steven Van Gorden and Kristin Church are vying for the seat.” ARRESTED — “Woman who said God led her on solar eclipse shooting spree is arrested,” reports Florida Politics’ Gabrielle Russon. “A woman who claimed to be on a shooting spree directed by God during the solar eclipse was arrested for shooting at cars on Interstate 10 in the Panhandle, authorities said. The bullets struck two people, grazing one person and striking another person in the neck. Police said Taylon Nichelle Celestine, 22, of Georgia, was arrested and booked on charges of attempted murder, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and improper discharge of a weapon, according to a press release from the Florida Highway Patrol.” MAGIC CITY VISITOR — “In Miami, Milei should find supportive Argentines as Hispanic voters shift right,” reports the Miami Herald’s Syra Ortiz Blanes and Max Greenwood. “When Argentine President Javier Milei arrives in Miami this week, he’ll find himself in the midst of thousands of fellow countrymen who voted overwhelmingly last year from South Florida to propel the right-wing populist to power back home. In the November runoff for the presidency, Milei won 94% of the vote cast by Argentines living in Miami. Rejecting Milei’s center-left opponent, expats threw their support behind a norm-shattering politician often compared to former U.S. President Donald Trump, whose own standing among South Florida Hispanics has ballooned in recent years.”
| | DATELINE D.C. | |
LATEST ON VENEZUELA ELECTIONS — Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) on Monday put out a statement with Sens. Ben Cardin (D-Md.) and Bill Cassidy (R-La.) calling for the Biden administration to reimpose sanctions on Venezuela — as well as consider new ones — after Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s National Assembly received an “anti-fascism” bill that “seeks to silence dissent both inside and outside Venezuela.”
“Let there be no doubt, the upcoming elections will not be free, fair, nor democratic and both the Biden Administration and the international community must hold Maduro accountable,” they said. “The recent move to pass Venezuela’s so-called anti-fascism law is further proof that civil society, political opposition and freedom of the press have no place in Venezuela.” | | CAMPAIGN MODE | |
MORE AHEAD — “Putting abortion question to Florida voters is unlikely to end court fights,” reports The New York Times’ Patricia Mazzei. “Abortion-rights supporters celebrated last week when the Florida Supreme Court said voters could decide this fall whether to approve a state constitutional amendment protecting and expanding abortion rights in Florida. But the court also laid out a road map for anti-abortion groups to challenge any expansion, by raising the prospect of ‘fetal personhood.’ In concurring and dissenting opinions that accompanied the ruling, four of the seven justices on the conservative court indicated that they may interpret the State Constitution to grant fetuses the same legal rights as people, foretelling the next likely court fight over abortion.”
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Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody speaks at a campaign rally for Republican Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, Monday, Nov. 7, 2022, in Hialeah, Fla. | Lynne Sladky/AP Photo | ENDORSEMENTS — “‘A stalwart defender of law enforcement’: Rick Scott nabs endorsements from Ashley Moody, Pam Bondi, 11 State Attorneys,” reports Florida Politics’ Jesse Scheckner. “Rick Scott’s bid for re-election to the U.S. Senate just added support from some of Florida’s most powerful courtroom law enforcers. The freshman Senator and twice-elected Governor now has the backing of Attorney General Ashley Moody, who topped a list of 13 new endorsers Scott’s campaign announced Monday. Former Attorney General Pam Bondi also gave Scott a nod. So did State Attorneys Phil Archer, Bruce Bartlett, Ed Brodsky, Amira Fox, Bill Gladsen, Brian Haas, R.J. Larizza, Suzy Lopez, Ginger Madden, Melissa Nelson and Dennis Ward.” UP FOR GRABS — “Orlando’s District 5 race quickly draws five contenders. More may enter the fray,” reports the Orlando Sentinel’s Ryan Gillespie. “Candidates are wasting no time lining up to fill the role left vacant following the indictment of incumbent Regina Hill. The city council voted to kick off the process Monday morning, setting off a 43-day scramble until a May 21 election … They include former State Rep. Travaris McCurdy; community activists Lawanna Gelzer, Miles Mulrain and Shaniqua Rose; and business owner Cameron Hope. Others may enter the race in the coming days.” | | | | SUBSCRIBE TO GLOBAL PLAYBOOK: Don’t miss out on POLITICO’s Global Playbook, the newsletter taking you inside pivotal discussions at the most influential gatherings in the world, including WEF in Davos, Milken Global in Beverly Hills, to UNGA in NYC and many more. Suzanne Lynch delivers the world's elite and influential moments directly to you. Stay in the global loop. SUBSCRIBE NOW. | | | | | | | TRUMPLANDIA AND THE SWAMP | |
POPPING IN — UK's Cameron meets with Trump ahead of DC swing, reports POLITICO’s Gary Fineout. Britain’s top diplomat met with former President Donald Trump in Florida on Monday as part of a push to reaffirm support for Ukraine. David Cameron, the United Kingdom foreign secretary, is visiting Trump on the eve of a planned trip to Washington, D.C., where the former British prime minister is scheduled to meet with Secretary of State Antony Blinken and congressional leaders over the next two days. Cameron is set to discuss a range of priorities with allies, including "bringing stability to the Middle East."
| | ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN | |
IN MEMORIAM — “Bill Gunter, 89, former congressman and state official, dies at Tallahassee home,” reports the Tallahassee Democrat. “Bill Gunter – a former Florida congressman, state treasurer and insurance commissioner – died at his Tallahassee home Monday afternoon. He was 89. Gunter’s death was confirmed by funeral director Rocky Bevis, who said he will be handling funeral arrangements. Gunter, who had been in home hospice care, died ‘peacefully, surrounded by his family,’ Bevis said. A memorial service is planned; details are forthcoming.”
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