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Gary Fineout's must-read briefing on what's hot, crazy or shady about politics in the Sunshine State | | | | |  | | By Gary Fineout | Hello and welcome to Wednesday. Holdouts — Three Florida Republicans — including newly elected Rep. Anna Paulina Luna — were key participants in the chaotic day at the U.S. Capitol where the House GOP conference was unable to get enough votes to hand the speakership to California Rep. Kevin McCarthy. Knee-deep in the muck — At the center of the 20-member anti-McCarthy faction was Rep. Matt Gaetz, the Panhandle Republican who ahead of Tuesday’s voting declared to Washington, D.C., reporters that “if you want to drain the swamp you cannot put the biggest alligator in charge of the exercise. I’m a Florida man and I know of what I speak.” (Hint to D.C crowd: Gaetz is a graduate of Florida State University, whose biggest rival is the University of Florida … home of the Gators. Get it?) Getting a lot of attention — Along the course of the day, Gaetz led a push to nominate Rep. Jim Jordan for the speakership and created a media frenzy when he was seen on television chatting to Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in the House chamber. (AOC later told one outlet that Gaetz was asking whether Democrats planned to help McCarthy.) Another poke — At nightfall, Gaetz then sent a letter to a U.S. House official demanding to know why McCarthy was being allowed to use the speaker’s office. “What is the basis in law, House rule, or precedent to allow someone who has placed second in three successive speaker elections to occupy the Speaker of the House Office? How long will he remain there before he is considered a squatter?” Gaetz said in his letter to the Architect of the Capitol. Surprise turn — Meanwhile, Rep. Byron Donalds, who back in November expressed optimism and support for McCarthy during a swing through the Florida Capitol, flipped his vote on the third round of voting from McCarthy to Jordan. "It’s just not clear he has the votes. It’s pretty clear now it’s getting tougher in that room,” Donalds told Fox Business, saying an effort to wear members down by successive votes would not work. (Donalds' decision was seen by some as a possible tactical move in advance of a bid for statewide office… hmm.) The last no — As for Luna, her opposition isn’t all that surprising. Gaetz has been a major backer of her through two successive GOP primaries and she telegraphed her likely opposition last month when she demanded a sweeping series of changes to House rules in exchange for support. No direction home — It’s not clear where all of this will wind up and whether there’s a chance that other Florida Republicans may abandon McCarthy. Gaetz who has long displayed a penchant for creating a stir will probably never change his vote and he said as much on Twitter last night: “I too am prepared for an extended battle that I will ultimately win.” Meanwhile — But the delay in the decision on the speakership has other consequences, namely pushing back a decision on who will helm the powerful Ways and Means Committee. Rep. Vern Buchanan, who is backing McCarthy for speaker, is angling for the important job but his fate remains in limbo until there is a speaker. Response — Florida Democrats, who had a bad night back in November, have reveled in the public dysfunction of the GOP majority. Rep. Jared Moskowitz, the former head of the state’s emergency management division, had this quip last night: “Dear Republican colleagues: As a Emergency Management Director I know a disaster when I see one. Sooo, maybe phone a friend.” — WHERE'S RON? — Nothing official for Gov. DeSantis. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for Playbook? Get in touch: gfineout@politico.com
|  | DRIVING THE DAY | | THE VIEW FROM THE HILL — 3 strikes for McCarthy — but he’s not out yet, by POLITICO’s Sarah Ferris, Olivia Beavers and Jordain Carney: Staring down a threadbare majority, Rep. Kevin McCarthy has been unable to dislodge dug-in opposition from the right flank of his conference, who are now openly pushing for conservative hero Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) to take the gavel. GOP lawmakers now hope to resolve their leadership battle privately after several humiliating hours on the floor. McCarthy and his allies have already begun talks with some of the 20 defectors in a desperate attempt to break the detente before the House will resume at noon Wednesday. — “The ’23 20: The Republicans who bucked McCarthy’s speaker bid, by POLITICO’s Anthony Adragna and Nancy Vu — “What Matt Gaetz and AOC talked about during Kevin McCarthy’s speaker vote,” by The Intercept’s Ryan Grim — “GOP Rep. Nancy Mace blasts ‘D-Lister’ Matt Gaetz over opposition to McCarthy,” by The Hill’s Julia Mueller | 
Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., speaks to reporters as he leaves the chamber, after failed the third round of votes to choose the Speaker of the House on the opening day of the 118th Congress at the U.S. Capitol, Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana) | AP | PALM BEACH ANGLE — “Trump mum on whether he still supports McCarthy for speaker: ‘We’ll see what happens,’” by NBC News’ Garrett Haake and Dareh Gregorian: “Former President Donald Trump, who had endorsed Rep. Kevin McCarthy’s bid for House speaker, declined to say Tuesday whether he still supports his longtime ally after McCarthy, R-Calif., failed to clinch the job in three consecutive votes. ‘We’ll see what happens,’ Trump said when asked directly whether he was sticking with McCarthy, the GOP leader, in a brief phone conversation. ‘I got everybody calling me wanting my support. But let’s see what happens and we’ll go — I got everybody calling, wanting my support,’ he said.” | | DESANTISLAND | | ROUND TWO — ‘Where woke goes to die’: DeSantis, with eye toward 2024, launches second term, by POLITICO’S Matt Dixon and Gary Fineout: The 44-year-old DeSantis focused much of his attention on national — not state — issues, and used a Bible he borrowed from Glenn Beck, a nationally-syndicated conservative radio host, for his swearing in. It was, in other words, meant to look presidential. The undeniable backdrop of DeSantis’ second term is his likely 2024 presidential bid, a move that would put him on a collision course with former President Donald Trump, who declared his candidacy in mid-November after Republicans, including his endorsed candidates, underperformed in the midterms. ‘A great alternative’ — DeSantis did not provide any details on his top priorities for his second term, and he didn’t mention gun rights or increased abortion restrictions, even though he has expressed interest in pushing ahead with legislation in both areas that could bolster a presidential bid. “If he runs, he’ll be a great alternative, but I’m not going to prejudge whether he’s running or not,” said Jeb Bush, the only former Florida governor to attend the inauguration, and whose 2016 presidential campaign was ended by Trump. | 
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks to the crowd after being sworn in to begin his second term during an inauguration ceremony outside the Old Capitol Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023, in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) | AP |
— “Gov. Ron DeSantis sworn in for second term, calls Florida a ‘citadel of freedom,’” by USA Today Network-Florida’s John Kennedy
— “DeSantis’ speech rooted in Florida, but it’s aimed at GOP voters across the U.S.,” by Miami Herald’s Mary Ellen Klas and Tampa Bay Times’ Emily L. Mahoney — “DeSantis declares ‘freedom lives here’ as he begins 2nd term,” by Orlando Sentinel’s Jeffrey Schweers and Steven Lemongello — “Here are some of the people who attended Gov. DeSantis’ 2nd inauguration address,” by Miami Herald’s Ana Ceballos and Tampa Bay Times’ Lawrence Mower FALLOUT — “Muzzled by DeSantis, Critical Race Theory professors cancel courses or modify their teaching,” by ProPublica’s Daniel Golden: “A month before the fall 2022 semester was set to start, he scrapped both courses. Students scrambled to register for other classes. ‘It didn’t seem like it was worth the risk,’ said [University of Central Florida professor Jonathan] Cox, who taught a graduate course on inequality and education instead. ‘I’m completely unprotected.’ He added ‘Somebody who’s not even in the class could come after me. Somebody sees the course catalog, complains to a legislator — next thing I know, I’m out of a job.’” ANOTHER ONE — “DeSantis has another opportunity to shape the Miami-Dade School Board. Will it matter?” by Miami Herald’s Sommer Brugal: “Gov. Ron DeSantis will have yet another opportunity to appoint a member to the Miami-Dade County School Board following the recent resignation of Vice Chair Lubby Navarro, further underscoring Tallahassee’s influence on local school boards. Navarro, who was appointed by former Gov. Rick Scott in 2015 and later elected in 2016 and 2020, stepped down Friday afternoon before a new Florida law prohibiting elected officials from working as lobbyists went into effect on Saturday, Dec. 31.” CLASH COMING? — “Trump-DeSantis showdown could supercharge Latino evangelicals' influence,” by The New York Times’ Jennifer Medina: “‘If there is a primary, there’s no doubt there will be fragmentation in the conservative movement, and there’s total certainty that will be true of Hispanic evangelicals as well,’ said the Rev. Samuel Rodriguez, a pastor in Sacramento, Calif., and the president of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference.”
| | ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... | | BY THE NUMBERS — “Despite minority gains, 2023 Florida Legislature remains overrepresented by white males,” by The Daytona Beach News-Journal’s Mark Harper: “But numbers are numbers, and here's how the 2023 Florida Legislature looks, relative to Florida's diverse population: Politically, the Florida House of Representatives and state Senate are vastly more Republican than the voting population. While Republicans comprised 36% of voters in the November election, 71% of lawmakers are Republicans. In a statistical quirk, 71% of the Florida House is Republican, and 71% of those Republicans are men. And 71% of Democrats are women.” COMING IN — Farming groups praise Simpson as he takes the helm of the Agriculture and Consumer Services department, by POLITICO’s Bruce Ritchie: Farming groups on Tuesday celebrated Republican Wilton Simpson's inauguration as agriculture commissioner — returning one of their own to the office that was dominated by the industry in the past. Simpson replaced Democrat Nikki Fried, a former marijuana lobbyist elected in 2018 who was the only statewide elected Democrat. She lost her party's primary for governor to Charlie Crist last August. — “As Gov. DeSantis gobbles inauguration attention, Wilton Simpson hands GOP Cabinet swap,” by Florida Politics’ Renzo Downey THE EAGLE HAS LANDED — Dane Eagle, who recently stepped down from his post as secretary for the Department of Economic Opportunity under Gov. Ron DeSantis, is headed to Ballard Partners , the powerhouse lobbying firm announced on Wednesday. Eagle, a former southwest Florida legislator who joined the DeSantis administration in 2020 after losing a bid for Congress, will work with clients in Tallahassee as well as open a new office in Fort Myers. “Dane’s experience as a state legislator and as Governor DeSantis’ top economic development official will make him an invaluable member of our firm,” Brian Ballard, the firm’s founder and president, said in a statement. Eagle left the DeSantis administration just ahead of the implementation of a new law that bars elected officials and agency heads from lobbying their former offices for six years after they vacate their positions. The new law also bars agency heads from lobbying the Legislature for six years. | | PENINSULA AND BEYOND | | ‘MAKE BRAZIL GREAT AGAIN’ — “Brazil’s ‘Trump of the tropics’ becomes temporary Florida man with move to Orlando,” by Orlando Sentinel’s Skyler Swisher: “A resort community near Disney World has turned into a rallying spot for supporters of former right-wing Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro, a politician dubbed the ‘Trump of the tropics’ who broke tradition by leaving for Florida and skipping his successor’s inauguration. More than 50 well-wishers, some draped in Brazilian flags and Bolsonaro garb, gathered Tuesday outside a vacation home where Bolsonaro is staying about five miles south of Disney in Osceola County.” SURGE — “More than 100 Haitians land in Key Largo, just a day after Cuban migrants’ arrival,” by Miami Herald’s Jacqueline Charles and David Goodhue: “The boat came from La Tortue, the island off the northwest coast of Haiti, a migrant told the Miami Herald before being whisked away by a federal agent. Another migrant, 27-year-old Osli Cheriscar, told the Herald that the boat loaded in Môle-Saint-Nicolas, and they left on Friday. Môle-Saint-Nicolas is not far from Île de la Tortue along the northwest coast of Haiti.” — “‘Ghost’ candidate asks judge to OK 8-month visit to family in Sweden,” by Orlando Sentinel’s Annie Martin — “Civil rights groups ask 11th Circuit to reject Jacksonville’s second redistricting appeal,” by Florida Times-Union’s Hanna Holthaus — “COVID-19 cases increase by thousands over holidays,” by Palm Beach Post’s Finch Walker | | ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN | | — “Is $66B in federal funding the ‘gamechanger’ needed to bring Amtrak back to the Panhandle?” by Northwest Florida Daily News’ Tom McLaughlin: “The federal government has set aside $66 billion to allow Amtrak to reestablish itself as a viable nationwide transportation alternative, and advocates for commuter rail across North Florida believe now might be the time to make a long discussed plan a reality. ‘Public support for the return of rail service has never waned,’ a recent press release issued on behalf of Amtrak said." BIRTHDAYS: Peter Schorsch , president of Extensive Enterprises and publisher of Florida Politics … POLITICO’s David Kihara ... former Florida Secretary of State Sandra Mortham | | | | Follow us on Twitter | | | | 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 | | | | |  |
