Latest news with #FloridaDemocraticParty
The Herald Scotland
a day ago
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Florida state representative Joe Casello dies after heart attack
"We are so sorry to say that Representative Joe Casello has passed away surrounded by his loving family and girlfriend, following a heart attack," the Florida House Democratic Caucus said in a social media post announcing his death. "The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to all who have offered their love and support during this difficult time." Nikki Fried, chairwoman of the Florida Democratic Party, said he would be "deeply missed." More politics news: Trump approval rating drops in new poll; more Americans oppose immigration policies Remembering Rep. Joe Casello A private ceremony will be held in the family's home state of Massachusetts, the caucus said, and a public memorial service will be announced in the coming weeks. Casello was a firefighter for 33 years in Worcester, Massachusetts, before moving to Palm Beach County. His first entry into politics was in 2013, when he became a city commissioner in Boynton Beach. Last November, he was reelected to a fourth term in the state House by a double-digit margin. He had filed papers to run for the Palm Beach County Commission in November 2026. Gov. Ron DeSantis will need to call a special election to fill Casello's seat, according to Florida state law. Casello was taken off life support the morning of July 18, after he was taken to regional hospital about two weeks ago after complaining of chest pains, the Palm Beach Post reported. State Rep. Mike Caruso, R-Delray Beach, was a close friend, and told the Palm Beach Post he and his wife visited Casello for about half an hour on July 17. "He was very lucid," Caruso said. "I asked him if there was anything I could do for him. He said: 'See if you could get a fire truck named after me.'" "My life has always been about public service and meeting the needs of my community," Casello said in a statement released July 17, a day before his passing. "Serving as both a firefighter for 33 years and an elected official for 13 years has been the greatest honor of my life. Representing the people -- through times of unity and division, triumph and challenge -- has been a privilege I will always cherish." Kathryn Palmer is a national trending news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at kapalmer@ and on X @KathrynPlmr. Mike Diamond is a journalist at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach him at mdiamond@
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Florida Rep. Joe Casello dies following heart attack
Veteran Florida state legislator Joe Casello died late Friday, July 18, after suffering a massive heart attack earlier in the month. The 73-year-old Democrat had represented Florida House District 90, an area of Palm Beach County including Boynton Beach, since 2018. "We are so sorry to say that Representative Joe Casello has passed away surrounded by his loving family and girlfriend, following a heart attack," the Florida House Democratic Caucus said in a social media post announcing his death. "The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to all who have offered their love and support during this difficult time." Nikki Fried, chairwoman of the Florida Democratic Party, said he would be "deeply missed." More politics news: Trump approval rating drops in new poll; more Americans oppose immigration policies Remembering Rep. Joe Casello A private ceremony will be held in the family's home state of Massachusetts, the caucus said, and a public memorial service will be announced in the coming weeks. Casello was a firefighter for 33 years in Worcester, Massachusetts, before moving to Palm Beach County. His first entry into politics was in 2013, when he became a city commissioner in Boynton Beach. Last November, he was reelected to a fourth term in the state House by a double-digit margin. He had filed papers to run for the Palm Beach County Commission in November 2026. Gov. Ron DeSantis will need to call a special election to fill Casello's seat, according to Florida state law. Casello was taken off life support the morning of July 18, after he was taken to regional hospital about two weeks ago after complaining of chest pains, the Palm Beach Post reported. State Rep. Mike Caruso, R-Delray Beach, was a close friend, and told the Palm Beach Post he and his wife visited Casello for about half an hour July 17. "He was very lucid," Caruso said. "I asked him if there was anything I could do for him. He said: 'See if you could get a fire truck named after me.'" "My life has always been about public service and meeting the needs of my community," Casello said in a statement released July 17, a day before his passing. "Serving as both a firefighter for 33 years and an elected official for 13 years has been the greatest honor of my life. Representing the people — through times of unity and division, triumph and challenge — has been a privilege I will always cherish." Kathryn Palmer is a national trending news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at kapalmer@ and on X @KathrynPlmr. Mike Diamond is a journalist at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach him at mdiamond@ This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Florida state representative Joe Casello dies after heart attack
Politico
23-06-2025
- Politics
- Politico
Beshear shows Florida Dems his winning blueprint
Good morning and welcome to Monday. When the Florida Democratic Party invited Kentucky Gov. ANDY BESHEAR to speak at its Leadership Blue gala on Saturday night, it seemed to be sending a loud-and-clear message: We'll have what he's having. What exactly is that? A winning streak they envy. Beshear has won statewide office as a Democrat three times in a row in Kentucky — a place where President DONALD TRUMP dominated in 2024 by 30 points — despite describing himself with terms like 'pro-choice' and 'pro-union.' Compare that to Florida, where Trump won by 13 points but Republicans have eclipsed Democrats in recent cycles to take over the Legislature, every statewide office and a big voter registration advantage. Democrats have been depressed about it, but they say they'll keep fighting. As it turns out, Beshear had a lot of thoughts about what Florida Democrats need to do. And it wasn't just because he enjoys vacationing in the Panhandle. He told Playbook that during the weekend, a lot of Democrats approached him to ask about his political secret sauce. 'I'm here as proof that when Democrats put people first and stand firm on our values, we can — we will — win tough elections,' he said onstage later. Beshear opened up about his blueprint, both onstage at the gala (held at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel in Hollywood), in gaggles with journalists and one-on-one with Playbook. Here are the biggest takeaways: Focus on people's daily lives. Beshear said one of the big reasons Trump won the 2024 election was because he convinced voters that 'the vice president was distracted' while he was focused on issues like high prices and public safety. 'When people wake up in the morning, they're not thinking about the next election,' he said. 'They're thinking about their job and whether they make enough to support their family. They're thinking about the next doctor's appointment for themselves, their parents or their kids. They're thinking about the roads and bridges they drive each day, the school they drop their kids off at, and whether they feel safe in their community. The way that Democrats win is to own that lane.' Talk like a real person. Beshear gently reprimanded Democrats for using terms like justice-involved populations, substance use disorder and food insecurity — word he said he knew were intended to reduce stigma but that also ended up being an attempt at sanitizing difficult issues and taking the emotion out of them. He urged them instead to use the words addiction and hungry. 'I know all of this is important,' he said, 'but we don't change stigma by changing words. You change stigma by changing hearts.' Get dirt on your boots. 'What that means is that we're not just signing something in a rose garden,' Beshear said. 'We are out there making sure that people see the new factory, see the new growth, to see the impact that we're making in their daily lives, to get out in those communities again and again, because showing up shows the people we care.' Explain why. Democrats need to talk about their reasons for making decisions, Beshear said. For him, it's his Christian faith. So when he vetoed sweeping legislation that would have restricted bathrooms for transgender people and banned gender-affirming care for minors, he said it was because of his faith. 'My faith teaches me that every child is a child of God,' he told Kentuckians then, 'and I didn't want people picking on those kids.' The next day, he said, a man came toward him at an event and told him that even though he didn't agree with the veto, he understood the governor was doing what he thought was right. 'Whether people agreed with the decision or not, they knew what I was thinking,' he said. 'It creates the grace and the space to disagree and understand where someone is coming from.' Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget that Playbook should look at? Get in touch at: kleonard@ CAMPAIGN MODE MORE FROM LEADERSHIP BLUE … — Another quick note on Beshear: These events can also be viewed as an audition of sorts. Beshear is considering running for president, and (to close listeners) there were a couple 2028 Easter eggs in his speech. For instance, he included a dig at Vice President JD VANCE, widely viewed as the very early GOP frontrunner, as not actually being from Kentucky and said Democrats should 'make sure this is the last political job he ever has.' Then he capped off his speech with a resounding, 'Are you ready to elect a Democratic president in 2028?' — A key theme from the party: 'Several elected officials and party leaders agreed on one thing: they have a messaging problem, and President Donald Trump might help them solve it,' report Siena Duncan and Vivienne Serret of the Miami Herald. 'Democrats mentioned immigration, tariffs and potential cuts to healthcare as issues that have caused division in Florida districts that voted Republican. Deportations in South Florida were central to the discussion, with issues like revoking Temporary Protected Status, instating travel bans and targeting immigrants who have not committed crimes roiling Hispanic communities.' — Democratic Sen. CORY BOOKER of New Jersey got the crowd's attention. Mitch Perry of the Florida Phoenix writes: Booker's speech 'began with him calling for the house lights to be put on so he could see all 1,000-plus attendees, and then he waded into the audience, ultimately standing atop a table to address the crowd.' — At one point, Booker said, 'I miss Obama,' then joked that he was referring to the former first lady and not the former president. 'Michelle!' he yelled jokingly into the mic, 'If you married me, I'd be president right now!' — The Florida Phoenix also highlighted NIKKI FRIED's remarks, delivered unknowingly to her as Trump revealed the US had bombed Iran: 'Our message is shit,' she said. 'Our brand is broken. But quitting, hiding, waiting or whining will not fix it. What will? Showing up.' SPOTTED: Reps. SHEILA CHERFILUS-MCCORMICK, JARED MOSKOWITZ, DARREN SOTO, DEBBIE WASSERMAN SCHULTZ; gubernatorial candidate DAVID JOLLY; Senate candidate JOSH WEIL; House Democratic leader FENTRICE DRISKELL; state Reps. ANNA ESKAMANI, MICHELE RAYNER, MARIE WOODSON, KEVIN CHAMBLISS, CHRISTINE HUNSCHOFSKY and ASHLEY GANTT; state Sens. SHEVRIN JONES, TRACIE DAVIS; Miami Dade County Mayor DANIELLA LEVINE CAVA; former Florida Democratic Party Chair TERRIE RIZZO. ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... ENVIRONMENTAL SPENDING REVERSAL — 'State legislators this year pivoted away from spending money to buy environmentally sensitive land and instead poured hundreds of millions into paying Florida land owners — including farm owners — from developing their property,' reports POLITICO's Gary Fineout. 'That was one of the biggest environmental spending highlights in this year's $115 billion state budget that also included a significant retreat from a decision made just a year ago to permanently dedicate money from the state's gambling deal with the Seminole Tribe to environmental programs.' WEATHER MANIPULATION BANNED — 'DeSantis signed Senate Bill 56, spearheaded by Sen. Ileana Garcia, R-Miami, which repeals current state law that allowed the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to issue permits to people or groups seeking to change the weather,' reports Michaela Mulligan of the Tampa Bay Times. 'Weather modification is just as it sounds: It's the act of artificially influencing the weather. And in Florida, despite previous legislation, no institutions have ever sought a permit to change the weather, according to state environment officials.' — 'Judge grants partial delay in Carolina Amesty's federal case until next month,' reports Gabrielle Russon of Florida Politics. — Florida Politics is out with its annual list of Tampa Bay's Most Powerful Politicians. PENINSULA AND BEYOND LOOK WHO'S BACK — DeSantis is keeping a familiar face on the University of West Florida trustee board by reappointing ADAM KISSEL, who was rejected by two state Senate committees over his stances on higher education. Kissel, who DeSantis reinstalled on the board Friday, is expected to be a key vote as part of a new majority picked by DeSantis to run UWF alongside Education Commissioner MANNY DIAZ JR., the school's interim president. A visiting fellow on higher education reform for The Heritage Foundation, Kissel was grilled by senators over his past writings, where he signaled support for privatizing universities and claimed military veterans are contributing to an 'overpopulation problem' facing colleges. Kissel, listed as a resident of Charleston, West Virginia, earlier this month suggested the University of Florida should 'consider a path to privatization' in response to state leaders rejecting former University of Michigan President Santa Ono as its prospective president. — Andrew Atterbury VOTING ON ELECTION CHANGES — Miami city commissioners will vote this week on whether to move its municipality elections to even years, which would help improve voter turnout, report Tess Riski and Jay Weaver of the Miami Herald. Should the election get moved, then it would cancel the 2025 election and allow certain officials, such as Miami Mayor FRANCIS SUAREZ, more time in their role regardless of term limits. DeSantis and state Attorney General JAMES UTHMEIER have warned Miami officials they don't have the right to move the elections without voters weighing in. — 'Fort Lauderdale eyeing own emergency reserve in case FEMA goes away,' reports Susannah Bryan of the South Florida Sun Sentinel. TRUMPLANDIA AND THE SWAMP JUDICIARY SCRUTINY — 'A Florida state judge was lobbying for a seat on the federal bench. After he sided with the president in a defamation case, Donald Trump gave him one,' reports POLITICO's Hailey Fuchs. 'Ed Artau, now a nominee to be a district court judge in Florida, met with staff in the office of Florida Republican Sen. Rick Scott to angle for the nomination less than two weeks after Trump's election last fall, according to a new Senate disclosure obtained by POLITICO. In the midst of his interviews, Artau was part of a panel of judges that ruled in Trump's favor in the president's case against members of the Pulitzer Prize Board.' DATELINE D.C. REACTIONS TO US BOMBING OF IRAN — Sens. RICK SCOTT and ASHLEY MOODY both issued supportive statements about the president's decision to launch strikes on three Iranian nuclear sites on Saturday night, reports Drew Dixon of Florida Politics. Over in the House, many Democrats, including Rep. DARREN SOTO, said they were concerned that the president hadn't sought congressional approval before launching the strikes. Soto told Playbook he'd supported the bipartisan War Powers resolution that had been introduced in the House and wanted to look into whether Trump had exceeded his powers. 'It is a lot more offensive than normally the actions that are taken through the use of force,' he said. 'Often, it's done to help protect our allies — like Israel and the region and Kuwait and others. So there's a lot of questions to be asked. We also certainly don't want a nuclear Iran.' Rep. DEBBIE WASSERMAN SCHULTZ (D-Fla.) had a more nuanced position, saying that Iran now needed to return to engaging in diplomatic negotiations. She said Trump should turn to Congress for any further action on Iran but that in her view the move on Saturday 'was a defensive one.' 'The window had opened with Israel striking their nuclear sites,' she said, 'and when diplomacy appeared to have not been effective, to me, it was essential to not allow that window to close, because this appeared to be the most significant opportunity to be able to prevent them from being able to achieve their nuclear goals.' TELLING HER PERSONAL STORY — Republican Rep. KAT CAMMACK opened up to The Wall Street Journal's Katy Stech Ferek recently to reveal that she had an ectopic pregnancy — a life-threatening condition — after Florida's six-week abortion limit was signed into law. She said the doctors questioned whether they were allowed to treat her by expelling the embryo, and she had to read them the law to persuade them to move ahead. Per WSJ: 'Cammack doesn't fault the Florida law for her experience. Instead, she accuses the left of scaring medical professionals with messaging that stressed that they could face criminal charges for violating the law. She said she feels those efforts gave medical staff reason to fear giving drugs even under legal circumstances.' — 'One Big, Beautiful Bill's changes for Obamacare could be ugly for Florida,' by Christine Sexton of the Florida Phoenix. ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN BIRTHDAY: Former state Rep. Joy Goff-Marcil.
Politico
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Politico
Democrats' Hollywood bash
Good morning and happy Friday. State Democrats are descending on Hollywood (the Broward County version) this weekend for their annual 'Leadership Blue' meeting and fundraiser. It all takes place at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino — the same spot where Gov. RON DESANTIS and the Republican Party of Florida often hold events. Not everyone in the party was happy to turn to a host who's given so generously to the GOP. But off to the electric guitar-shaped venue they'll go. NORA VIÑAS, the state party's new communications director, said more than 1,000 Democrats are attending, and that they can expect musical performances on top of the regular program of training and panels. The Florida Democratic Party will also preview their 2025 game plan, which they said involves a 'multimillion-dollar investment to hire local organizers, expand vote-by-mail, register new Democrats and recruit candidates.' The bash kicks off this afternoon with a welcome reception and a live podcast taping with Gen Zers SAM SCHWARTZ, an advocate against gun violence, and AARON PARNAS, a lawyer and TikTok political commentator. This particular part of the program showcases Democrats' own efforts to focus on platforms Republicans successfully used for outreach in 2024. Florida Democrats have struggled in recent cycles. They've fallen behind by 1.3 million active voter registrations, hold no statewide positions and are battling a GOP supermajority in the Legislature. But Viñas said they're feeling encouraged by their overperformance in the pair of special elections from April. 'Democrats showed up and it mattered,' she said. (To be clear: Despite the overperformance, Republicans won both seats.) This weekend, party leaders are hoping to take some lessons from Gov. ANDY BESHEAR of Kentucky, one of the gala's speakers, who knows a little something about winning in a red state as a Democrat. Incidentally, he's also someone who's considering running for president in 2028. Also speaking is Democratic Sen. CORY BOOKER of New Jersey, who caught nationwide attention when he gave a 25-hour, five-minute speech on the Senate floor in protest of the Trump administration. A karaoke after party will follow the VIP reception. Two candidates to watch this weekend are the Democrats who've already announced they're running statewide: former Rep. DAVID JOLLY and teacher JOSH WEIL (more on him below). The two are far apart on the political spectrum; Jolly was once a Republican and Weil is an unapologetic progressive. Still, they've already done events together as they geared up to run. 'We have to build back into every corner of the state and be a party for every Floridian,' Weil said when asked how he felt about the state of the party ahead of the weekend's events. 'And I think [Florida Democratic Party chair NIKKI FRIED] is the right person for the job, and I think she has a great message.' But others heading into town are feeling decidedly more … well, blue. 'No amount of cheerleading on Saturday will overcome the 1.3 million voter registration lead the GOP has in the state,' said one party organizer, granted anonymity to speak candidly. Playbook will be on the ground Saturday reporting on the happenings. Reach out to say hello at kleonard@ WHERE'S RON? Gov. DeSantis held a press conference this morning at Tampa International Airport, after greeting a flight arriving from Israel. Fox News has more: '1,500 Jewish Americans evacuated from Israel as DeSantis sponsors rescue flights to Tampa.' ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... FLORIDA RIVER RESTORATION — 'A Republican state senator who represents north central Florida is already asking Gov. Ron DeSantis to veto millions approved by the Legislature to begin the eventual restoration of the Ocklawaha River,' reports POLITICO's Gary Fineout. 'Christina Johnson, a spokesperson for state Sen. Tom Leek (R-Ormond Beach), confirmed Wednesday that Leek has been communicating with DeSantis' office to 'express his objections against this project, including asking for a veto.' 'In a move that would have been unthinkable a few years ago, the new state budget includes $6.25 million to draw up a plan to remove a section of a dam that now blocks the Ocklawaha River, a tributary of the St. Johns River with a rich history. At one point in time, steamboats would traverse the river and take visitors to Silver Springs.' THREE NEW UNIVERSITY PRESIDENTS, FINALLY — 'State university leaders granted final approval Wednesday to three new presidents with connections to the DeSantis administration: former Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez at Florida International University, Marva Johnson at Florida A&M University and Education Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr. as the University of West Florida's interim leader,' reports POLITICO's Andrew Atterbury. 'The confirmation votes from the Board of Governors came without heavy deliberations, even as alumni opposition swells surrounding Johnson's hire and contract, which required special legislation to remedy. These approvals marked a sharp contrast with the state board rejecting former University of Michigan president Santa Ono earlier this month as the University of Florida's prospective president after grilling him for three hours.' SPEAKING OF PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES — 'The Board of Governors, which oversees the state's university system, voted Wednesday to allow Florida public universities to increase a fee out-of-state students pay,' reports Danielle Prieur of Central Florida Public Media. 'Out-of-state students in Florida don't just pay higher tuition, but also a special fee. It's the first time in over a decade these fees are being increased. With the Board of Governors vote, Florida's public universities will be allowed to increase that fee up to 10 percent this fall, and up to 15 percent by the fall of 2026.' RESHUFFLING MILLIONS TOWARD COLLEGE ATHLETICS — 'State leaders opened a new revenue stream Wednesday for Florida universities to reshuffle millions of dollars toward athletics in response to the landmark House v. NCAA settlement,' reports POLITICO's Andrew Atterbury. 'An emergency rule approved by the university system Board of Governors allows schools to use up to $22.5 million generated by auxiliaries like housing and bookstores for paying student athletes as part of the landscape-altering, revenue-sharing model about to reshape college sports. The policy is meant to be a short-term bridge for Florida universities to get ahead of the anticipated July 1 start date and stay competitive with high-powered rivals.' CONSERVATION FUNDS SEE BIG CUT — 'Despite the vast display of bipartisan support for Florida's wild places, lawmakers on Monday night approved budget cuts to the state's flagship conservation land acquisition program that helps grow and create new state parks,' reports Max Chesnes of the Tampa Bay Times. 'The Florida Forever program is slated to receive $18 million in the upcoming budget year, compared to at least $100 million in funding every year since 2021, according to state documents. The land-buying money falls well short of the additional $100 million DeSantis recommended for the new budget.' — 'Not just a swamp: Everglades worth $31.5 billion to local economy each year, study finds,' by Denise Hruby of the Miami Herald. BIG PRIORITY ULTIMATELY IGNORED THIS SESSION — 'Florida's legislative leaders ushered in this year's session vowing to investigate insurance company profits and holding the industry accountable if it wasn't paying claims,' reports Lawrence Mower of the Tampa Bay Times. 'A House committee held rare hearings to grill the state's current and former insurance regulators. Republicans and regulators proposed several pro-consumer bills. But 105 days later, it didn't amount to much.' One insurer recently asked for a big hike: 'Trusted Resource Underwriters Exchange, which goes by the acronym TRUE, asked state regulators at a June 17 rate hearing to allow the insurer to jack rates up by 31 percent for its multiperil homeowners' insurance for tens of thousands of policyholders when they renew this year,' reports Anne Geggis of the Palm Beach Post. JOB TRAINING CASH INFLUX — 'Five state colleges in Central Florida will receive nearly $10 million after Gov. Ron DeSantis recently handed out grants allowing them to expand career and technical training programs,' reports Gray Rohrer of USA Today Network — Florida. 'The money will go to Eastern Florida State College, Indian River State College, Polk State College, Valencia College and Seminole State College.' — 'How Florida's attempt to let teens sleep longer fell apart,' by Ted Alcorn and Patricia Mazzei of The New York Times. IN DEPTH LOOK AT LIVE LOCAL ACT — Many officials in Florida 'contend there are loopholes in the Live Local Act that enable developers to take advantage of the property-tax breaks and more flexible zoning rules that are part of the legislation — without doing enough to help low-to-moderate-income Floridians find a truly affordable place to live,' report Dave Berman Laura Layden of USA Today Network — Florida. AG PITCH — 'Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier wants to set up an immigration detention center in the Florida Everglades he is calling 'Alligator Alcatraz,'' reports Skyler Swisher of the Orlando Sentinel. 'Uthmeier touted his proposal for a 1,000-bed facility as 'the one-stop shop to carry out President Trump's mass deportation agenda.' It would be positioned on a 'virtually abandoned' airstrip surrounded by wetlands, he said.' — '16 indicted for illegal reentry after sweeping Florida immigration crackdown,' reports Ana Goñi-Lessan of USA Today Network — Florida. — 'Florida contractor cuts nursing care for 100 medically fragile children,' reports Christopher O'Donnell of the Tampa Bay Times. PENINSULA AND BEYOND — 'South Florida Jews face changing plans as they try to leave Israel for U.S.,' by David Lyons of the South Florida Sun Sentinel. ...HURRICANE HOLE... NEVER THE SAME — 'Panama City [Florida] and Paradise stand as vivid examples of an emerging cycle in this era of more-extreme weather in America: Communities struck by disasters often grow richer and more exclusive,' report of Arian Campo-Flores, Cameron McWhirter and Paul Overberg of The Wall Street Journal. '... Poor residents have a tougher time navigating bureaucratic procedures for disaster aid and weathering job losses. Renters often get evicted from damaged properties and face spiraling rents as the supply of units shrinks. Low-income homeowners frequently struggle to pay for repairs that must comply with stricter building codes and to buy sufficient insurance coverage.' CAMPAIGN MODE ICYMI: WEIL CHALLENGING MOODY — Florida Democrat JOSH WEIL, the once little-known progressive teacher who stunned the political world in March by raising nearly $14 million for a failed congressional special election bid, is now running to become the Sunshine State's next senator. Weil is the first major Democratic candidate to file for the 2026 Senate race to challenge incumbent Sen. ASHLEY MOODY. 'I'll be everywhere,' Weil said of his planned campaign tour across the state, which kicked off Wednesday at a veterans' center in conservative Clay County. DATELINE D.C. IMPLICATIONS FOR FLORIDA'S LAW — 'The Supreme Court has upheld a Tennessee law that bans gender-affirming medical care for transgender minors,' reports POLITICO's Josh Gerstein. 'In a 6-3 ruling Wednesday, the court's conservative majority rejected a challenge from transgender adolescents and their families who argued that the ban violates the Constitution's guarantee of equal protection.' — 'Rick Scott, Byron Donalds, Greg Steube demand more transparency in next UF President pick,' reports Gabrielle Russon of Florida Politics. — 'The price you pay for an Obamacare plan could surge next year in Florida,' reports Daniel Chang of the Orlando Sentinel. — 'Trump's 'Big Beautiful Bill' would kick nearly 8K rural Floridians off Medicaid,' reports Brandon Girod of the Pensacola News Journal. TRANSITION TIME — Blake Nolan has been promoted to be chief of staff for Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-Fla.). — 'Former Middle District of Florida U.S. Attorney Roger Handberg has joined GrayRobinson as a shareholder in its Litigation practice,' per Florida Politics. — 'Matt Newton is rejoining Shumaker as a Partner in its Real Estate, Construction & Development Service Line,' per Florida Politics. ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN — 'Better the second time around: South Florida celebrates Panthers' Stanley Cup encore victory,' by Ben Crandell and Rafael Olmeda of the South Florida Sun Sentinel. BIRTHDAYS: Brad Howard of the Corcoran Street Group … Ed Miyagishima … (Saturday) state Rep. Linda Chaney … former state Rep. Chuck Clemons … former Rep. Jim Bacchus … (Sunday) Florida Supreme Court Justice Charles Canady … state House Speaker Daniel Perez ... Drew Weatherford, partner at Weatherford Capital and Florida State University trustee.
Axios
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Axios
Q&A: David Jolly wants to end Florida's culture wars
David Jolly — the lone Democrat in the race for Florida governor — vows to end the state's culture war on Day One if elected. Why it matters: He's a Tampa Bay native and, to some, a déjà vu candidate: another former Republican who became an independent, then revived his political career as a Democrat. But don't call him Charlie Crist. "This isn't a campaign chasing the middle," Jolly told Axios in a recent interview. "It's a campaign chasing big ideas and big solutions." We caught up with him to learn more. Editor's note: This interview has been edited for length and clarity. What are the first three things you would do in office? Propose a catastrophic fund for property insurance to remove hurricanes and natural disaster perils from the private market. Second, we need generational property tax reform. First-time home buyers don't have access to housing, in part, because of the way we do property taxes in Florida. Then, we get rid of the culture wars. And we say this is a state where everybody's welcome, celebrated and lifted up. Your first challenge is to secure the nomination. How do you intend to appeal to the broadest range of Democratic voters, some of whom seem diametrically opposed lately? If we coalesce around an agenda that addresses the affordability crisis for everyone, delivers quality health care and quality public education and reduces the cost of housing. That's this race. I've been all around this state, and let me tell you, the issues that Byron Donalds and Ron DeSantis are talking about are distractions. The Florida Democratic Party is in dire straits. How do you intend to have a fighting chance without much of an apparatus to lean on? The party's values are right and must be amplified, not changed. These values are an economy that works for everyone, a government that administers services to everyone, and a party that restores respect and dignity to everyone, regardless of their skin color, who they love and who they worship. The other piece is that we must recognize that the math is real. There aren't enough Democratic voters in the state to elect a Democratic governor on their own. We have to lead with Democratic values, but build a coalition that includes independents and Republicans. What issues do you believe are the most important to Tampa Bay residents? And how do you plan to address those key issues? We have growth management issues in Tampa Bay and all around the state, where development has gotten ahead of smart growth. We see it in Pasco County, where the amount of development is providing a quality of life for families, but we're running out of water, and we're running out of school capacity. That's a real problem.
