Sunburn The morning read of what’s hot in Florida politics 12.7.21 – Florida Politics

Good Tuesday morning. Lets begin with some good news about a great person.

Erin Ballas has been promoted to vice president at Public Affairs Consultants.

Ballas got her start at Public Affairs Consultants as an intern in 2008. In the nearly 14 years since, shes worked her way up the ladder, holding positions such as legislative assistant and associate before being named VP on Monday.

The firm credits Ballas experience forging strong relationships, crafting legislation and securing funding with its significant growth in the 2010s.

Erin brings a sense of family to our firm, ensuring our clients will always receive excellent service, Public Affairs Consultants President Keyna Cory said. We are thrilled to continue to develop as a firm with Erins enthusiasm and passion for the process.

The firm noted that it was unusual in a good way for someone in The Process to stick with the firm they started with.

I have enjoyed every day with Public Affairs Consultants. Our work ethic is unmatched, and we believe in our clients. Our firm is made up of two of the hardest working individuals in politics, and I am blessed to call them my partners, she said. I look forward to continuing to grow the firm and help our clients achieve their goals.

Ballas is a graduate of Florida State University, where she earned a masters degree in political science and government. She and her husband John Ballas live in Tallahassee with their two children, Dayton and Jett.

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Florida may have the third-largest congressional delegation in the country, but it doesnt pack the same punch as other states on key committees in the U.S. House.

That may change if Republicans can flip the four seats they need to secure a majority, something that has become an increasingly likely eventuality in recent months.

If that happens, the House Ways and Means Committee will have a new chair: U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan.

The Sarasota Congressman is currently the No. 2 Republican on the panel, which serves as the primary committee responsible for overseeing the U.S. tax code, tariffs, and key social programs such as Social Security and Medicare.

Buchanans ascent hinged not only on a Republican majority but on the exit of the U.S. Rep. Devin Nunes, the current ranking member on the committee.

The second half of that equation was solved Monday when the California Republican announced he would leave Congress this year to run the Trump Media & Technology Group a venture launched by former President Donald Trump.

Buchanan, who is already the only Floridian with a seat on the panel, would make further history as the first member from Florida to hold the gavel.

His business background and experience in Congress make him a natural fit for the position. And, should he land the job, the Sunshine State would have substantially more muscle in the Capitol.

There is no more solid member of Republican leadership than Vern, prominent lobbyist Brian Ballard observed.

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Rep. Ralph Massullo is running for the Florida Senate.

The Lecanto Republican told Florida Politics late Monday that he has filed paperwork to run in Senate District 10, the seat currently held by Senate President Wilton Simpson, who is term-limited.

Over the past five years, Ive had the honor of representing my district in the Florida House. During that time, Ive worked tirelessly to live up to the trust my community placed in me by standing up for the conservative values we hold dear. Now, there is a new frontier on which to fight to defend those values that is why Im announcing my candidacy for the Florida Senate, Massullo said in a statement first provided to Florida Politics.

While the current SD 10 includes Citrus County, where Massullo lives, it also consists of all of Hernando, the home base of Spring Hill Republican Rep. Blaise Ingoglia, who also filed to run in the district. Reapportionment could complicate things further by removing Pasco and bringing in Sumter.

Both lawmakers have previously acknowledged that they could meet in a Primary in a September interview, Massullo said he wouldnt have any qualms about running against Ingoglia, but that going for re-election to the House was also something he was considering.

Massullo later clarified that he would not run against a current House colleague in a Senate race unless he had support from Senate leadership beforehand, though he did not tout the support of any Senate leaders in his announcement. Ingoglia has not either, though he recently landed a high-profile endorsement from U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio.

Massullos biggest hurdle, however, had been the substantial fundraising gap between him and Ingoglia.

The third-term Representative started November with $228,149 on hand between his campaign and political committee. Ingoglia, meanwhile, had $1.86 million banked between his campaign and multiple political committees. Massullo plans to virtually erase the gap by anteing up $1.5 million of his own money on his first day in the race.

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Its Election Day in Jacksonville. Voters across Duval County can vote in the First Election for the seat left vacant by the death of Tommy Hazouri, a functional primary for the open City Council seat in at large Group 3.

Four candidates are on the ballot: Republicans Nick Howland and Howland Howdy Russell and Democrats James Coach Jacobs and Tracye Polson. If one candidate somehow gets a majority of the vote, Tuesdays vote will be decisive. If not, the top two candidates advance to the General Election on Feb. 22.

Polson is the leading fundraiser, though with the caveat that she is heavily self-financing, just as she did in her 2018 campaign for state House. Howland is the choice of the Republican business establishment. They are widely expected to be the top two finishers.

Turnout has been tepid, just below 7% in early voting. Democrats have the edge thus far in the raw vote, and the story of Election Day will be how quickly (or if) Republicans close that gap, which was roughly 6,000 at the close of business Monday.

SITUATIONAL AWARENESS

Tweet, tweet:

@JimmyPatronis: There may be no greater failure in American politics than @BilldeBlasio. I have no doubt that blue-checkmark Twitter is loving his vaccine mandate because they dont like a free people. They like big government. They like obedience. Unfortunately, there are people in this country that think that firing a first responder, and cutting their health care, is good for public health. @BilldeBlasio is their hero. He is their patron Saint. It is literally insane. I know for a fact that @BilldeBlasio does not like New Yorkers. Why? Because he has made his entire career about running his residents out of New York and into @GovRonDeSantiss Florida

@AngieNixon: On Friday, myself and 29 of my colleagues sent @GovRonDeSantis a letter demanding that he work with DCF to provide a plan to the U.S. Department of Treasury for more than $660 million in unused Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) Funds. What say you Gov?

@AnnaForFlorida: First, @GovRonDeSantis banned trans students from playing sports, now hes erasing anti-bullying materials that focus on #LGBTQ+ identity. We warned lawmakers that attacking trans kids was not only wrong, but connected to an agenda of LGBTQ+ bigotry. I hate being right on this.

@ShevrinJones: It is my hope that the @EducationFL will replace all necessary resources for parents & students, as soon as possible. Our students and parents must know that we care about their well-being, and that includes providing ACCESS to every tool possible to ensure their safety.

Tweet, tweet:

@ReporterCioffo: Sources: The Gingerbread replica of the Capitol, created and set to be delivered today to its exhibition location, was stymied by a logistical challenge width. The Capitol, on its cart, was too wide to fit through one of the doors between Longworth and the Capitol.

@MarcACaputo: Personal news: after almost 7 years at POLITICO, Im leaving my good friends and colleagues there and moving on to @NBCNews and @NBCPolitics

. DAYS UNTIL

Sex and the City revival premieres 2; Steven Spielbergs West Side Story premieres 3; Spider-Man: No Way Home premieres 3; The Matrix: Resurrections released 15; The Book of Boba Fett premieres on Disney+ 22; Private sector employees must be fully vaccinated or tested weekly 28; final season of This Is Us begins 28; CES 2022 begins 29; Ken Welchs inauguration as St. Petersburg Mayor 30; NFL season ends 33; 2022 Legislative Session starts 35; Floridas 20th Congressional District Election 35; Special Elections in Senate District 33, House District 88 & 94 35; Florida Chambers 2022 Legislative Fly-In and Reception 35; Florida TaxWatchs 2022 State of the Taxpayer Day 36; Joel Coens The Tragedy of Macbeth on Apple TV+ 38; NFL playoffs begin 39; Ozark final season begins 45; Billions begins 47; XXIV Olympic Winter Games begins 59; Super Bowl LVI 68; The Walking Dead final season part two begins 75; Daytona 500 75; CPAC begins 79; St. Pete Grand Prix 80; The Batman premieres 86; The Oscars 112; Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness premieres 155; Top Gun: Maverick premieres 174; Platinum Jubilee for Queen Elizabeth II 177; Thor: Love and Thunder premieres 214; San Diego Comic-Con 2022 225; The Lord of the Rings premieres on Amazon Prime 269; Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse sequel premieres 304; Black Panther 2 premieres 339; The Flash premieres 342; Avatar 2 premieres 374; Captain Marvel 2 premieres 437; Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania premieres 598; Dune: Part Two premieres 682; Opening Ceremony of the 2024 Olympic Games 962.

TOP STORY

Las Vegas Sands, Seminole Tribe groups get court date in intimidation case via Renzo Downey of Florida Politics Competing gaming interests are set to square off against each other in court for the first time Wednesday in a fight over expanding Floridas gambling scene that one side argues has devolved into harassment and intimidation tactics. Groups backed by casino giants at Las Vegas Sands and the Seminole Tribe of Florida will meet with a Tallahassee-based judge in a time-sensitive case over whether Tribe-backed groups are strongarming members of a Las Vegas Sands-backed ballot campaign. Florida Voters in Charge, a group funded by Las Vegas Sands, has requested a restraining order against the Tribes groups, including Standing Up for Florida and Let the Voters Decide. According to the lawsuit, the Tribe-funded groups would prevent Florida Voters in Charge from getting its initiative to expand gaming in the Sunshine State on the 2022 ballot if the groups arent stopped. The Las Vegas Sands-backed group argues the Tribe is harassing and intimidating people and running a sham petition-gathering effort to siphon manpower from its campaign to add to the Florida Constitution an avenue for cardrooms to become casinos.

STATEWIDE

Nikki Fried blasts Ron DeSantis, DCF over $660M in unaccounted for rental aid via Daniel Figueroa of Florida Politics Emergency Rental Assistance is on Frieds agenda. Fried tore into DeSantis and Department of Children and Families Secretary Shevaun Harris over $660 million unaccounted for Emergency Rental Assistance Program funds. Fried posted a copy of a letter she sent Harris and DeSantis on her Twitter page. The $25 billion federal relief program began after the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021. The funds are to help families pay rent and utility bills as the nation still reels from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. An Oct. 4 memo from the Department of Treasury warned that recipients with less than 30% of funds expended, or less than 65% of funds allocated as of Sept. 30, would have to submit a plan for remaining funds to the Treasury by Nov. 15. If not, the funds could be recaptured.

Anti-bullying page, including pro-LGBTQ links, removed from Education Department website via Renzo Downey of Florida Politics DOE removed the anti-bullying page after a right-leaning online publication inquired about the LGBTQ resources listed on the site, sparking a content review on the page. The bullying portal included links to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services StopBullying.gov and its page addressing bullying in LGBTQIA+ Youth. Until this fall, the page instructed educators to protect childrens privacy, guidance that could run afoul of the Parents Bill of Rights. Groups like the pro-LGBTQ civil rights group Equality Florida criticized the DeSantis administration for pulling the website, calling it a staggering escalation of its anti-LGBTQ agenda. Other links removed from the DOE website included the departments model policy against bullying and harassment for school districts and a checklist for school districts when developing an anti-bullying policy.

Spotted At the Governors Cup at Concession Golf Course in Bradenton for an EOG vs. Legislature tournament with proceeds going to the Gold Seal Foundation: First Lady Casey DeSantis, Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran; Sens. Joe Gruters and Ed Hooper; House Speaker Chris Sprowls; Reps. Tommy Gregory, Lawrence McClure and Will Robinson; former Senate President Bill Galvano; Paul Azinger, Slater Bayliss, Chris Chaney, Tony Cortese, Ashton Howard, Michael Johnston, Andrew Ketchel, Drew Menier, Jerry Pate, Will Rodriguez and Stephanie Smith.

Florida draws 22% of foreign real estate investors, with Miami, Orlando leading pack via Trevor Fraser of the Orlando Sentinel Florida accounts for more than 22% of all foreign real estate investments in the U.S., the strongest market in the country, according to a National Association of Realtors report that came out last month. More than half that is focused on South Florida, with Miami accounting for 52% of foreign buyers. With 10% of the international investment, Orlando is the second strongest market. From August 2020 to July 2021, foreign buyers spent $12.3 billion on Florida real estate, 5% of the total market. That translates to 22,500 homes, or 4% of existing home sales. The states most prominent foreign buyers come from right over the northern border. Following Canada are buyers from Argentina, Colombia, Brazil and Venezuela.

DATELINE TALLY

DeSantis expected to announce complete 2022 budget proposals this week via Forrest Saunders of WFTS The Governors budget plan for next year will drop sometime this week. But what will be in it, and can Florida afford it? We already know some of DeSantis big ideas for the next fiscal year. He slowly unveiled them throughout last month and, in some cases, seeks to increase spending after lawmakers passed a record-setting budget last Session of $101.5 billion. DeSantis hasnt yet laid out details on infrastructure, economic development or health services. But critics like Rep. Anna Eskamani worry things like affordable housing will be left out. She calls his proposals political.

Rule to implement Florida law nixing employer vaccine mandates is underway via Christine Jordan Sexton of Florida Politics The Florida Department of Health announced Monday it is developing vaccine opt-out forms for Florida employers who want to require staff to get vaccinated. A new rule also will include standards for two of the five potential avenues staff can use under the Florida law to exempt themselves from vaccines. A draft copy of the proposed rule has not been published, and the health department did not announce when it would hold a public meeting on the proposed new rule, 64D-3.050. The proposed new rule regarding the forms and medical standards will only apply to private employers. Thats because the Legislature banned vaccine mandates for all public employees.

Medicaid managed care compliance data not so sunny for Sunshine Health Plan via Christine Jordan Sexton of Florida Politics Florida Medicaid managed care plans have amassed $717,690 in liquidated damages for breach of contract violations settled during the second quarter of the fiscal year 2021-2022, with Staywell Health Plan accounting for more than half the liquidated damages assessed. State data shows Staywell Health Plan amassed $370,500 in liquidated damages for three state Agency for Health Care Administration actions finalized during the second quarter. Most of the damages, or 95%, stem from one final action regarding provider claims payment or reimbursement. Staywell Health Plan, which was the common name used by WellCare, merged with Centene, the parent company of Sunshine State Health Plan. Beginning Oct 1, the Staywell moniker ceased to exist.

Lauren Book files bill pushing further reforms for infant compensation program via Ryan Nicol of Florida Politics Lawmakers approved a NICA reform bill during the 2021 Legislative Session following an explosive report from the Miami Herald and ProPublica. That investigation showed families of injured infants often had trouble getting benefits. Last Sessions bill increased payment for housing assistance up to $100,000 for the injured childs life, including home construction and modification costs, which may be necessary to care for the child. Senate Democratic Leader Books 2022 legislation (SB 1050) would add another $30,000 to that pot to cover costs for devices that will ensure continuous light, heat, and power in the home for the care of the child, including, but not limited to, a generator or another alternative power source.

Lawmakers propose prohibition on employer discrimination against military spouses via Jason Delgado of Florida Politics Rep. Dan Daley is proposing legislation that would prohibit employment discrimination against military spouses. Under the Florida Civil Rights Act of 1992, an employer may not discriminate against an applicant, or an employee, based on factors including race, religion and gender, among others. However, the proposal (HB 853 & SB 550) would add military status to the list of protected categories, thus bolstering protections for military families. Florida is home to 21 military installations and more than 65,000 active-duty service members.

Happening today The Florida Supreme Court will take up a dispute between Duke Energy and the Public Service Commission, 9 a.m., Florida Supreme Court, 500 South Duval St., Tallahassee.

Happening today The Escambia County legislative delegation meets: Sen. Doug Broxson and Reps. Alex Andrade and Michelle Salzman, 5:30 p.m., Pensacola State College, Jean and Paul Amos Performance Studio, 1000 College Blvd., Pensacola.

New and renewed lobbying registrations:

Brian Ballard, Bradley Burleson, Jose Diaz, Ballard Partners: AshBritt

Adam Basford: Associated Industries of Florida

Gus Corbella, Greenberg Traurig: Physician Compassionate Care

Bill Rubin, Heather Turnbull, Rubin Turnbull & Associates: BusPatrol

Amy Virgo, Travel Green Florida: Florida Cannabis Chamber of Commerce

Desinda Wood-Carper, DC Strategies: Town of Pembroke Park

Personnel note: Lillian Tamayo to leave PPSENFL in March Planned Parenthood of South, East and North Florida President Tamayo will leave her position in March, the organization said Monday. I have had no greater honor in my life than to lead our affiliate of Planned Parenthood in Florida these past 22 years. During that time, we have made huge strides, providing greater access to health services for more patients and defending reproductive rights for all Floridians, she said in a Monday news release. During Tamayos tenure at PPSENFL, the organization said it has expanded to include more health centers, patients served, members, supporters, donors, and activists than at any other time in its history. PPSENFL is currently in the process of selecting Tamayos replacement.

CORONA FLORIDA

Florida COVID-19 update: 2,714 cases and 158 deaths added via Michelle Marchante of the Miami Herald Florida on Monday reported 2,714 COVID-19 cases and 158 deaths. In all, Florida has recorded at least 3,702,338 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 61,789 deaths. Of the deaths added Monday, about 57% occurred over the past 28 days and about 38% in the last two weeks. The state has added 36 deaths and 1,793 cases per day in the past seven days. There were 1,298 people hospitalized for COVID-19 in Florida. COVID-19 patients take up 2.32% of all inpatient beds in the latest reports hospitals.

Happening today U.S. District Judge Steven Merryday will hold a hearing on the states challenge to a Joe Biden administration vaccine mandate rule, 9 a.m., United States Courthouse, 801 North Florida Ave., Tampa.

UF researchers felt pressure to destroy COVID-19 data, faculty report says via the Tampa Bay Times Fear of upsetting state officials is pervasive among faculty at the University of Florida, to the point that race-related references have been edited out of course materials and researchers felt pressure to destroy COVID-19 data, according to a report released Monday by a Faculty Senate committee. The committee received a flood of input from faculty, from stories about attempts to serve as expert witnesses to instances that dealt with race and COVID-19 research across disciplines.The report discusses several challenges faced by UF researchers who were working on COVID-19 with an unidentified state entity. It describes external pressure to destroy data as well as barriers to accessing, analyzing and publishing the numbers. Taken together, the report said, those problems inhibited the ability of faculty to contribute scientific findings during a world-wide pandemic.

Brevard County has some of the lowest COVID-19 related death rates in months via Amira Sweilem of Florida Today Despite being considered a community of moderate transmission by the standards of the CDC, Brevard County continues to see some of the lowest COVID-19 related death rates in months. Between Nov. 20 and Nov. 27, there were two COVID-19 related deaths in Brevard County, according to data released by the CDC. The Space Coast has had a total of 1,705 COVID-19 related deaths since Jan. 2020. Though COVID-19 related deaths may have dramatically decreased since this summers surge, Brevard County remains a community of moderate transmission.

Demand for booster shots rockets in Central Florida, breaks statewide record after omicron enters the U.S. via Caroline Katherman of the Orlando Sentinel A record-breaking 308,217 people in Florida got their COVID-19 booster doses last week as the omicron variant began spreading across the U.S. A rise in booster demand was seen in Orange, Seminole, and Osceola counties. Statewide, the number of people who got boosters from Nov. 26 to Dec. 2 was almost 40,000 more than the week prior, raising the total past 300,000 for the first time since the week Sept. 3, when the Florida Department of Health began publicly reporting this number. A lot of them are referencing concern about the variants. Some of them are traveling or preparing for the holidays, and they want to maximize their protection, said Florida Department of Health in Osceola spokesperson Jeremy Lanier.

Family of Sofia files $100m federal lawsuit against teachers, Brevard School Board via Eric Rogers of Florida Today The family of Sofia Bezerra, a 7-year-old girl with Down syndrome who came home from school with a mask tied to her face, has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the girls teachers and the Brevard County School Board, according to court filings. The childs parents, Jeffrey Steel and Shirley Bezerra Steel, demand $100 million in the suit, court documents showed. The suit also named Brevard Superintendent Mark Mullins and three individual members of the Brevard School Board: Chair Misty Belford, Cheryl McDougall and Jennifer Jenkins.

University of Florida art projects to encourage COVID-19 vaccine confidence via Jenny Rogers of The Gainesville Sun Where traditional communication fails, art prevails. After partnering with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the University of Florida called upon students, faculty and staff to submit proposals for art projects encouraging COVID-19 vaccine confidence on campus. Art can resonate with people in ways that a government or a scientific statement may not be able to, said Natalie Rella, the communications and social media coordinator of the Center for Arts in Medicine and leader of the initiative.

Bruce Arians urges NFL look at vaccination status of more teams via Fred Goodall of The Associated Press Arians would like to see the NFL expand an investigation of the COVID-19 vaccination status of two players on his team to include other rosters around the league. Responding publicly for the first time to the league suspending wide receiver Antonio Brown and safety Mike Edwards for three games for misrepresenting their status with fake vaccination cards, Arians said Friday those might not be the only cases of their kind in the league. The league did their due diligence, and we move on, Arians said after practice. I will not address these guys for the next three weeks. Theyll just be working out, and well address their future at that time. Other than that, theres really nothing to say.

2022

If I run, he wont: Donald Trump downplays DeSantis 2024 hopes via A.G. Gancarski of Florida Politics Trump continues to say DeSantis wouldnt run against him in 2024, and couldnt beat him if he did, while reminding voters DeSantis wouldnt be Governor without Trumps endorsement. During an interview, Trump offered his latest in a series of statements essentially claiming he made the Governor and that DeSantis knows better than to run against him in 2024. I do think if I run, he wont, Trump said. I know they try and create a friction. I dont think it exists at all. It might, you know, you never know, Trump added. If he wanted to run, thats OK with me. I think wed win by a lot. But hes good. And hes done a good job as Governor.

Florida Democrats already pointing fingers as they steel themselves for November via Gary Fineout of POLITICO Florida POLITICO interviewed more than 20 Florida Democrats, including elected officials, Democratic National Committee members, activists and others about Diaz and his performance so far. Many were supportive, saying that Diaz has to overcome internal divisions that have constantly hindered Florida Democrats. Some, however, were less flattering, using terms such as MIA to describe Diazs term so far.Concerns about Diaz come as Florida Democrats face an existential crisis. Some Republicans are privately confident that 2022 could be the year they consign Democrats to a permanent minority status and remove any lasting doubts about whether Florida is a red state. What Diaz does now will play a key role in determining that outcome.The angst surrounding Florida Democrats was on display during their big Leadership Blue conference held this past weekend at an Orlando resort hotel as they delved into everything from organizing to message training.

Fried turns DeSantis private army plan into fundraising pitch via A.G. Gancarski of Florida Politics This is horrifying, Fried said of the proposal. Hes not only forming his own army, but its an army thats not accountable to anybody. Not to the people of our state. Not to the Constitution. Fried went on to say: The Governor who is unhinged, who is going out of his way to show that he is an authoritarian dictator here in our state, believes that he is above the law, doesnt listen to the Legislature, doesnt communicate with the Legislature this is an individual who believes he is running for President in 2024. Fried linked to a video in her campaign email and urged donors to support Nikkis fight to end DeSantis authoritarian regime.

Democrats fall flat with Latinx language via Marc Caputo and Sabrina Rodriguez of POLITICO As Democrats seek to reach out to Latino voters in a more gender-neutral way, theyve increasingly begun using the word Latinx, a term that first started to get traction among academics and activists on the left. But that very effort could be counterproductive in courting those of Latin American descent, according to a new nationwide poll of Hispanic voters. Only 2% of those polled refer to themselves as Latinx, while 68% call themselves Hispanic and 21% favor Latino or Latina to describe their ethnic background, according to the survey from Bendixen & Amandi International.

SPLC to put $100M into Deep South voter engagement programs The Southern Poverty Law Center on Monday said it will pump $100 million from its endowment into voter education and engagement in Florida and other southern states over the next decade. SPLCs Vote Your Voice program will provide grants to support year-round civic engagement programs, expand partner groups fundraising bases, train political leaders, engage voters for the 2030 redistricting process and develop innovative tools addressing future problems. Our Vote Your Voice program began as a robust effort to increase voter registration and turnout, particularly in communities of color who would most benefit from a true inclusive democracy in the South, said SPLC President and CEO Margaret Huang.

Personnel note: Geoff Burgan to lead comms for Democratic AGs Veteran communications pro Burgan has joined the Democratic Attorneys General Association as communications director. Burgan has worked on several Democratic campaigns during his decade in the field. In Florida, he worked on Andrew Gillums 2018 campaign for Governor. During the 2020 cycle, he served as Arizona Communications Director on Bidens presidential campaign. Most recently, he ran comms for Massachusetts U.S. Sen. Edward Markey. Burgan was one of several hires DAGA announced Monday. Other new additions include Michelle Ortiz as deputy executive director, Megan Hughes as research director, Emily Rossi as digital director, and David Sanchez as political director.

Happening tonight:

After losing congressional primary by five votes, Dale Holness plans rematch against Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick. Barbara Sharief more than likely to run again. via Anthony Man of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel A 2022 repeat is brewing among the top three finishers in the just-decided, fiercely fought South Florida congressional primary. Holness, who lost the Democratic primary to Cherfilus-McCormick by five votes, is planning another candidacy. Sharief, who finished third in the 11-candidate special primary on Nov. 2, said Monday she is more than likely to run again. The 2022 Democratic Primary could be entirely unlike the 2021 Special Primary in which Cherfilus-McCormick, Holness, Sharief and eight others competed for the Democratic nomination for the vacancy created by the April 6 death of U.S. Rep. Alcee Hastings.

Equality Florida backs Eunic Ortiz for Senate The political committee for LGBTQ+ rights organization Equality Florida weighed into the SD 24 race, backing St. Petersburg Democrat Ortiz. (SD 24) is going to be one of the most competitive state legislative races of 2022, and were putting a marker down for our members and supporters early and clearly. Eunic Ortiz has a long history of fighting for all marginalized people, especially LGBTQ communities, said Equality Florida Senior Political Director Joe Saunders. Having Eunic in the Florida Senate would be a game-changer for LGBTQ Floridians. The current SD 24 covers a swath of central and southern Pinellas County and is represented by term-limited Republican Sen. Jeff Brandes. Rep. Nick DiCeglie and Timothy Lewis are running for the GOP nomination.

LaVon Bracy Davis launches campaign for HD 45 Ocoee attorney Bracy Davis announced Monday that she entered the Democratic Primary for HD 45, the seat currently held by Rep. Kamia Brown, who is running for Senate. I am excited beyond measure for the opportunity to serve and represent the people of West Orange County. After careful consideration and learning the concerns of the people of District 45, I have decided to take a leap of faith and run for this position of community service, she said. As state Representative, I will fight for job creation, arts and education, the protection of voting rights and affordable health care. I believe I am the right person for this seat. The FAMU law graduate joins Charles Law Jr. and Melissa Myers in the Primary.

Adner Marcelin, former Tallahassee NAACP president, running for City Commission seat via Jeff Burlew of the Tallahassee Democrat Marcelin is challenging Commissioner Dianne Williams-Cox a candidate he vocally supported four years ago as she vies for re-election to a second term in District 5 next year. While he respects Williams-Cox, he said that the two have serious policy differences. Marcelin had been mulling a run for city office for about a year. He decided to file after listening to a woman speak during Mondays NAACP town hall on a proposal to spend $20-plus million in Blueprint funds to renovate Doak Campbell Stadium. The woman described herself as a mother of six with a full-time job who goes to school and lives on the financial brink. Like other opponents of the plan, Marcelin wants to see Blueprints sales tax dollars spent elsewhere.

CORONA NATION

Clues to omicron variants U.S. spread include test samples, sewage via Brianna Abbott of The Wall Street Journal Researchers are racing to determine how widespread the Omicron variant might be across the U.S., scouring COVID-19 test samples and in some cases even examining wastewater. Federal regulators said Sunday that cases have been identified in 16 states and that the FDA is in conversations about streamlining authorization for revamped vaccines if necessary. COVID-19 surveillance is more robust in the U.S. than when the alpha or delta variants emerged, public-health officials and experts say. Nearly 30% of known COVID-19 cases were sequenced and shared online in Vermont during the past three months. Public-health, commercial and academic laboratories in the U.S. analyze genomic samples from positive PCR tests and report results to the CDC. Some laboratories send the agency test samples directly.

The most-vaccinated big counties in America are beating the worst of the coronavirus via Aaron Blake of The Washington Post About 1 in 420 Americans died of COVID-19, according to official data. And were still averaging more than 1,000 deaths per day. But in certain areas, the story is far less grim. A big reason: widespread vaccination. But even that might undersell just how beneficial vaccination is in preventing the worst that the coronavirus has to offer. From the start of the vaccination effort, a pertinent question has been when we might achieve something amounting to herd immunity. That concept has proved elusive, particularly as the delta variant has rendered the vaccines less effective at preventing the spread while still extremely effective at preventing hospitalizations and deaths. But those latter metrics remain hugely important.

New York City to impose vaccine mandate on private sector employers via Michelle L. Price and Karen Matthews of The Associated Press From multinational banks to corner grocery stores, all private employers in New York City will have to require their workers to get vaccinated against COVID-19, Mayor de Blasio announced Monday in the most sweeping vaccine mandate of any state or big city in the U.S. We in New York City have decided to use a preemptive strike to really do something bold to stop the further growth of COVID and the dangers its causing to all of us, he said. The mandate will take effect on Dec. 27, with in-person workers needing to prove they have received at least one dose of the vaccine. And they will not be allowed to get out of the requirement by agreeing to regular COVID-19 testing instead.

Eric Adams, New Yorks Mayor-elect, does not commit to the new vaccine mandate for private employers. via Dana Rubinstein of The New York Times In less than a month, Adams will succeed de Blasio, and on Monday, Adams declined to commit to enforcing the new rules, which intend to stem the spread of the virus, especially the new omicron variant. The Mayor-elect will evaluate this mandate and other COVID-19 strategies when he is in office and make determinations based on science, efficacy and the advice of health professionals, said Evan Thies, a spokesman for Adams. Adams, who says he is fully vaccinated and has received a booster shot, has been vague about some of de Blasios other pandemic measures. Adams was less equivocal about de Blasios requirement that public indoor venues like theaters and restaurants deny entry to unvaccinated adults.

CORONA ECONOMICS

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Sunburn The morning read of what's hot in Florida politics 12.7.21 - Florida Politics