The morning read of what’s hot in Florida politics — 7.8.26 — Burnin’ today: Patrick, Gillum, Brandes, Lawson, Vindman, WOKE, Trump & Neanderthals

Wake up with the stories already shaping Florida’s political conversation. ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

From: Extensive Media Enterprises Cavalry Strategies is adding Will Patrick as executive vice president, the Tallahassee-based public relations and consulting firm announced. Patrick arrives with a résumé that runs through some of the state's highest-profile offices. He most recently served as a strategic policy adviser for CFO Blaise Ingoglia and, before that, was deputy communications director for former CFO and current U.S. Rep. Jimmy Patronis. He also held communications roles at the Department of Education under former Education Commissioners Manny Diaz Jr. and Richard Corcoran. Will Patrick joins Cavalry Strategies after climbing Florida government’s communications ladder. "Will is a true talent. He's a professional writer, researcher and analytic thinker," said Cavalry Strategies CEO Melissa Stone. "He has experience in Florida government across many policy areas and state agencies. His leadership will help more of our clients reach their goals, rack up big wins and communicate their brand more clearly." A Sarasota native, Patrick was a longtime journalist and prominent ghostwriter before entering state government. He earned a bachelor's degree magna cum laude from Hunter College, City University of New York, and lives in Tallahassee with his wife and three young children. Stone founded Cavalry Strategies in 2016; the firm's team works out of Florida and Washington, offering national media booking, communications planning, speechwriting, government relations support, brand promotion, political strategy and crisis communications.

Situational awareness   Tweet, tweet: Tweet, tweet: Tweet, tweet: —@BethMatuga: The season premiere of #Silo has a member of Congress doing call time in a party office 💸 Points for accuracy —@LMower3: Friday was my last day at the @TB_Times. I'm so grateful for the friends I made there and the editors who let me pursue the stories I was interested in. Next week I join the @HoustonChron's Austin bureau covering education!

Days until   Primary Election domestic ballot send window begins — 1; 2026 Florida Python Challenge — 2; MLB All-Star Game — 6; Primary Election domestic ballot send deadline — 8; ‘The Odyssey,’ directed by Christopher Nolan, premieres — 9; Primary Election voter registration deadline — 12; ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ premieres — 23; Optional Primary early voting begins — 26; ‘Ted Lasso’ season 4 premieres — 28; Primary Election ballot request deadline — 29; Mandatory Primary early voting begins — 31; ‘Lanterns’ premieres on HBO — 39; Primary Election Day — 41; ‘The Dog Stars,’ directed by Ridley Scott, premieres — 51; 2026 Republican National Midterm Convention — 63; NFL regular season kicks off — 63; San Francisco 49ers face the Los Angeles Rams in the first-ever NFL regular-season game in Melbourne, Australia — 64; Yankees host the Mets for the 9/11 anniversary — 65; MLB Roberto Clemente Day — 69; General Election UOCAVA ballot deadline — 73; Tampa Bay Buccaneers home opener against the Cleveland Browns — 74; General Election domestic ballot send window begins — 78; General Election domestic ballot send deadline — 85; ‘Digger,’ with Tom Cruise, directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu, premieres — 86; General Election voter registration deadline — 89; ‘The Social Network’ sequel, with Jeremy Strong, Jeremy Allen White and Mikey Madison, premieres — 93; Optional General early voting begins — 103; General Election ballot request deadline — 106; Mandatory General early voting begins — 108; General Election — 118; ‘Godzilla Minus Zero’ premieres — 121; ‘Wild Horse Nine’ premieres — 121; 2026 Florida Automated Vehicles Summit — 126; ‘The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping’ premieres — 135; ‘The Adventures of Cliff Booth,’ with Brad Pitt, directed by David Fincher and written by Quentin Tarantino, premieres — 140; ‘Madden’ premieres — 141; ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ premieres — 163; ‘Dune: Part 3,’ directed by Denis Villeneuve, premieres — 163; Untitled ‘Star Wars’ movie premieres — 163; College Football Playoff national championship game in Las Vegas — 201; 69th annual Grammy Awards — 214; Super Bowl LXI — 221; Tampa Mayoral Election — 237; 2027 Oscars — 249; Jacksonville First Election — 258; Jacksonville General Election — 314; ‘Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse’ premieres — 332; ‘Bluey the Movie’ premieres — 394; ‘Miami Vice’ reboot premieres — 394; ‘The Batman Part II’ premieres — 450; ‘Avengers: Secret Wars’ premieres — 527; College Football Playoff national championship game in New Orleans — 565; 2028 Oscars — 606; ‘Lilo & Stitch 2’ premieres — 688; ‘Incredibles 3’ premieres — 709; Los Angeles Olympics Opening Ceremony — 737; U.S. presidential election — 853; College Football Playoff national championship game in Tampa — 929; ‘Avatar 4’ premieres — 1,253; College Football Playoff national championship game in Miami — 1,293; ‘Avatar 5’ premieres — 1,984.

Top story   Former Tallahassee Mayor and gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum's struggles with illegal substances have led to new legal complications for the onetime Democratic rising star. And the latest round could carry serious consequences for a man who has spent more time in court than in politics since his defeat eight years ago. Gillum was arrested in Baldwin County, Alabama, last week on charges of possession of dangerous drugs, drug paraphernalia and marijuana, with a combined bond of $6,500. He has already been released, after less than 12 hours in custody, but he could face prison time given the state's strict narcotics laws. Andrew Gillum’s latest legal troubles add another chapter to a once-promising political career. The dangerous drugs charge is a felony that could bring up to five years in prison if he is convicted, plus a fine of up to $7,500. The marijuana possession and drug paraphernalia charges are misdemeanors. Each could still bring up to a year in jail and a fine of up to $6,000. Gillum's latest run-in with the law continues a dizzying fall from grace for the man who came within a whisker of defeating Ron DeSantis in 2018's nationally watched race for Governor. That came months after he wrested the nomination from the expected winner, Gwen Graham, as trailing candidates went negative down the stretch against the former Congresswoman and political moderate. With the field focused on attacking Graham, Gillum emerged unscathed. Gillum later faced federal corruption charges related to alleged campaign finance misdeeds. The highly publicized imbroglio ultimately ended with no convictions for him or his associates. Years before that, the Florida Commission on Ethics found probable cause that Gillum violated ethics laws by accepting gifts from undercover FBI agents posing as developers. He agreed in 2019 to pay a $5,000 fine in exchange for prosecutors dropping four of five charges stemming from trips to Costa Rica and New York, including a ticket to the Broadway show "Hamilton." And in March 2020, Gillum was found incoherent at an address corresponding to the Mondrian South Beach Hotel. He was dazed and confused in a bathroom when law enforcement responded, and suspected meth was found in the room, where he had been with another man. Gillum said he had only been drinking and abstained from the meth. No charges were filed. But prosecutors in Alabama could still weigh the earlier episode as they handle the current case. TMZ was the first major outlet to spotlight the newest charges, which Florida Politics independently verified.

2026   "Another lawsuit zings Florida's proposed property tax measure" via Gary Fineout of POLITICO — Former Sen. Jeff Brandes and former U.S. Rep. Al Lawson filed suit in Leon County against Secretary of State Cord Byrd and Attorney General James Uthmeier, seeking to block Amendment 3 from the November ballot in its current form. It's the third legal challenge to the property tax overhaul. Like the others, it argues the ballot title — "Save our Homes from Excessive Property Taxes" — is "forbidden political rhetoric designed to persuade rather than inform." The measure would boost the homestead exemption from $50,000 to $250,000 over two years, though it would require 60% approval and wouldn't affect school taxes. Brandes says he expects the lawsuits to be consolidated eventually; even if a court finds the wording defective, Uthmeier could simply draft a new title and summary under a 2011 law. Jeff Brandes and Al Lawson challenge Florida’s property tax ballot wording in court. "David Jolly, Evan Power say debate announcement is premature" via Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics — Jolly says organizers of an October debate jumped the gun by releasing details. "Our campaign is actively considering multiple debate requests. We have not confirmed any as of today," Jolly said. "The announcement by Decision 2026 and the party Chairs of an October 15 gubernatorial debate at FAU is premature and was done without coordination with the candidates." An announcement from the organizers stated that the event was coordinated with both the Republican Party of Florida Chair, Power, and the Florida Democratic Party Chair, Nikki Fried. "We look forward to the people of Florida witnessing substantive and thought-provoking debates that clearly highlight the stark differences between our Conservative Republican candidates and the far-left Democrat candidates," Power said. Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America endorses Byron Donalds for Governor — The nation's leading pro-life advocacy organization announced its endorsement of Donalds in the race for Governor, citing his record defending the unborn in the Florida House and in Congress. "The right to life and a mother's love are bedrocks of the American Dream, and if anyone believes deeply in that, it's Byron Donalds," said Marilyn Musgrave, the group's vice president of Government Affairs, adding the Congressman "earned an A+ on our scorecard for consistently voting to defend the unborn and their mothers." Donalds said he is "deeply honored" by the support: "In the Florida State House and in Congress, I have never wavered in protecting the unborn — as Governor, I never will. Together, we will keep Florida the most pro-family state in the country." "Hearing date set for lawsuit seeking to disqualify James Fishback from Governor's race" via Jesse Scheckner of Florida Politics — A two-day hearing on Republican Fishback's eligibility to run for Governor is set to start July 21. Judge David Frank of the 2nd Judicial Circuit said there is an "extreme shortage of time" to decide the matter, noting that even if Fishback were disqualified, it's already too late to stop ballots from being printed with his name on them. Nick Boerke, one of three lawyers representing GOP gubernatorial candidate and Lt. Gov. Jay Collins, pushed for a week earlier: "This should really be done next week. We're ready to go." Frank agreed with Fishback's lawyer, former Rep. Anthony Sabatini, that "a little more than a week" was reasonable, but stressed the case must be heard July 21, with no continuances: "You have to be ready to go, guys." The hearing comes less than a month after Collins sued Fishback and Secretary of State Cord Byrd, arguing Fishback doesn't meet the Florida Constitution's seven-year residency requirement for Governor and lied on his candidate oath — citing his 2020 voter registration in Washington, D.C., and a homestead deduction claimed there as recently as February. "Altercation erupts at Collier County GOP meeting as Fishback supporters clash with Donalds backers" via Florida Voice News — A physical altercation erupted Monday evening between supporters of gubernatorial candidate Fishback and members of the Collier County Republican Executive Committee during a meeting featuring U.S. Rep. Donalds. Video footage from the event shows shoving, raised voices and security intervention as Fishback and his entourage attempted to enter the venue while Donalds, the leading Republican candidate for Florida Governor, was addressing the crowd inside. No arrests were immediately reported. The confrontation highlights deepening tensions in Florida's Republican Gubernatorial Primary. Donalds, who holds a commanding lead in polls for the Aug. 18 GOP Primary and has received President Donald Trump's endorsement, mocked Fishback during his remarks. "He's in single digits, and he's not real," Donalds said of his rival, referencing Fishback's polling numbers. Jay Collins takes 'Backroads Tour' to Hardee, Highlands counties — Lt. Gov. Collins will campaign in Hardee and Highlands counties Wednesday as part of The Florida Backroads Tour, a multiday itinerary that takes his bid for Governor off the interstate and onto the back roads. The decorated Green Beret is expected to field questions on a variety of hot topics, from data centers and Flock cameras to affordability and teen takeovers. "I'm proud to be in the field, showing up in every county and listening to Floridians on their own main streets," Collins said. "The tour reflects the campaign's central promise: to out-work, not out-spend, earning support one county and one conversation at a time." The tour stops for a Hardee County meet-and-greet at 10 a.m. at Giovanni's Main Street Kitchen, 221 W. Main St. in Wauchula; media should arrive by 9:30 a.m. and RSVP to press@jayforflorida.com. "Alex Vindman visits Central Florida as he eyes November matchup against Ashley Moody" via Justin Schecker of WESH 2 — Before meeting with seniors and veterans in Ormond Beach Monday afternoon, Vindman told WESH 2 he's focused on affordability in the Sunshine State. "For me, it's crystal clear that folks are putting in the time," Vindman said. "They're working as hard as they can but falling further behind. It's because career politicians are happy to deliver for corporate interests." Vindman said he's "itching" for the chance to debate Moody: "If she's got the fortitude to show up, but happy to make my case and make it clear that there is a very stark choice." Asked by WESH 2 whether she commits to a debate, Moody said, "Well, look, I've been out in the public continuously debating issues, talking about issues that matter to Floridians." Alex Vindman courts Central Florida voters while pressing Ashley Moody to agree to a Senate debate. Debra Tendrich becomes first House member to endorse Vindman — State Rep. Tendrich just became the latest lawmaker to endorse Vindman's U.S. Senate campaign, the first major endorsement from a member of the Florida House. "Floridians deserve leaders like Alex who will stand up for our interests. I know that hard-working families can count on Alex to be their independent-minded leader in the U.S. Senate," said Tendrich, a Lake Worth Democrat. "I am proud to support Alex because he will bring integrity, independent leadership, and a relentless focus on lowering costs, delivering for our communities, and helping bridge the growing divide in our country." Vindman welcomed the support: "I am honored to have Rep. Tendrich's support in my campaign to lower costs for hard-working families." Tracie Davis endorses Annette Taddeo for CFO — Incoming Senate Democratic Leader Davis is endorsing former state Sen. Taddeo in her campaign for Chief Financial Officer. "For too many Floridians, it feels like the system is working for everyone except them," Davis said. "Annette Taddeo has never been afraid to challenge the status quo or speak up when something isn't right. She will bring that same tenacity and independence to the Chief Financial Officer's office, and I'm proud to support her campaign." Taddeo, a businesswoman and longtime advocate for working families, called the endorsement an honor: "Tracie has spent her career fighting for working families and making sure people's voices are heard in Tallahassee." As CFO, Taddeo said, she will "fight every day to protect taxpayers, hold insurance companies and government accountable, and make sure Floridians have an independent watchdog looking out for them."

More elections   LCV Victory Fund launches $4M ad blitz targeting Cory Mills over energy costs — The environmental group's political arm is going on the air against U.S. Rep. Mills, launching a $4 million ad program that includes CD 7 alongside Republican-held seats in Michigan, Arizona, North Carolina and Virginia — all districts Trump carried in 2024. The spot, "Skyrocket," hits Mills for voting to cut clean energy while backing tax breaks for billionaires: "With Cory Mills in Congress — the super-rich get even richer. While we just get higher prices." The ads begin running today on TV, digital and streaming, aimed at the "Energy Bill Voter" — swing voters worried about utility costs, which LCV says 51% of undecided voters rank as their top issue in congressional races. It's the group's earliest-ever paid media investment in U.S. House races, the first wave of a larger Midterm campaign. "Voters are angry about rising costs across the board, with energy costs being a top concern for many," said Sara Schreiber, LCV Victory Fund's senior vice president of Campaigns. To watch the ad, please click the image below: Dan Green tops $1.1M in first two weeks in CD 9 race — War veteran and Trump appointee Dan Green announced his campaign for Florida's 9th Congressional District has raised more than $1.1 million in just its first two weeks of fundraising. The haul comes as Green rolls out endorsements from conservative leaders and fellow veterans, including Osceola County Sheriff Chris Blackmon, Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey, state Sen. Danny Burgess and state Reps. Pat Maney and Fiona McFarland. Green is an active drilling reserve officer in the U.S. Navy with 23 years of service, and he served five tours in Iraq and Afghanistan as a veteran of Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom and Inherent Resolve. Sam Graves endorses Bea Valenti in CD 14 — U.S. Rep. Graves, a Missouri Republican and Chair of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, is backing Valenti in the Republican race for Florida's 14th Congressional District. Valenti worked directly with Graves during her time as a congressional staffer, helping him shape and pass the Coast Guard Authorization Act. "Bea Valenti is exactly the kind of conservative fighter we need in Congress," Graves said. "She understands the inner workings of Committee, how to get results, believes in limited government, and isn't afraid to stand up for the hard-working families who keep this country running." Valenti welcomed the nod: "Chairman Graves has spent his career getting things done for the American people, and I'm honored to have his support. … Chairman Graves knows the difference between someone who talks about getting things done and someone who actually does it. I've spent my career in the second category, and that's exactly what I'll bring to Congress." "After missing Frederica Wilson endorsement, Shevrin Jones wins support from Black clergy" via Raisa Habersham of the Miami Herald — Jones received endorsements from at least a dozen Black clergymen for his congressional bid — a key endorsement ahead of a contentious race to replace outgoing U.S. Rep. Wilson. The support comes after Jones lost out on the coveted endorsement from Wilson, which went to former Miami-Dade County Commissioner Oliver Gilbert. The new endorsements were announced at Greater New Bethel Baptist Church in Miami Gardens. "We've watched this man show up again and again and lead us with purpose," Pastor Robert Jackson told the more than 100 attendees. "Church, the future isn't built by spectators, it's built by servants, by citizens, by people who are willing to put their voice behind their values."

Even more elections   “Republican Primary will shape open HD 78 race” via Amy Bennett Williams of Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News — Three women are running for Florida House District 78, an open Lee County seat vacated when Jenna Persons-Mulicka was appointed Lee County Supervisor of Elections after Tommy Doyle’s retirement. Republicans Audrey Brooks and Susan Frantz will meet in the Aug. 18 Primary, while Democrat Cindy Banyai advances directly to November. Banyai, a teacher, small-business owner and activist, is making her fourth run for office. Brooks, a longtime Southwest Florida resident, founded Living Local and is emphasizing families, homeowners, seniors and small businesses. Frantz, a Fort Myers native and founder of a marketing firm, leads fundraising efforts, with $32,411 in contributions and a $100,000 loan. Audrey Brooks, Susan Frantz and Cindy Banyai compete for Lee County’s open House seat. Dem leadership lines up behind Michael Ferguson in HD 100 — House Democratic Leader Fentrice Driskell, former Senate Democratic Leader Lauren Book, Rep. Robin Bartleman and Broward County Commissioner Nan Rich are endorsing attorney and Air Force veteran Ferguson in the race for House District 100. "Michael Ferguson represents the kind of steady, principled leadership Florida needs right now," Driskell said. "As a veteran and attorney, he understands service in a real, grounded way." Book pointed to his service as an Air Force Judge Advocate, where he prosecuted sex offenders and fought to protect victims: "Michael is exactly the kind of leader Florida needs in the House." Bartleman praised a campaign that has knocked on thousands of doors across the District. "I'm running to make life more affordable, strengthen our public schools, keep our communities safe, and ensure government works for the people it serves," Ferguson said.

Statewide   “Court delivers major blow to Stop WOKE Act” via Jeffrey Schweers of Orlando Sentinel — A federal appeals court struck down key parts of Florida’s Stop WOKE Act, ruling the state cannot censor what public college and university professors discuss with students about race, sex and bias. The 2-1 decision by the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a lower-court injunction blocking enforcement of the higher-education provisions. Judge Britt Grant, a Trump appointee, wrote that hearing disagreeable ideas is not discrimination, but part of academic inquiry. The ruling called Florida’s position a “breathtaking assertion of power” over classroom speech. Ron DeSantis’ Stop WOKE Act suffers another courtroom setback over higher education. The 2022 law, a signature DeSantis culture-war measure, threatened professors with penalties for promoting certain ideas about systemic racism, sexism and privilege. Its private-employer diversity training provisions were already struck down in 2024. Judge Barbara Lagoa, appointed by DeSantis before Trump elevated her to the appeals court, dissented, saying states retain authority to restrict a professor’s viewpoint in public classrooms. The ACLU, which sued on behalf of professors, hailed the decision as a first-of-its-kind appellate ruling against broad censorship in higher education. Lead plaintiff LeRoy Pernell said the decision protects discussion of racism from state-approved limits. Florida can ask the full 11th Circuit to reconsider or seek review from the U.S. Supreme Court, but both paths are long shots. For now, the ruling marks another major legal setback for one of DeSantis’ defining education laws.

D.C. matters   “U.S. strikes Iran after tanker attacks escalate tensions” via The New York Times staff — The United States launched airstrikes against Iranian military targets after attacks on three commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, while simultaneously revoking a sanctions waiver that had temporarily allowed Iranian oil sales under last month’s ceasefire framework. U.S. Central Command said the strikes were intended to impose “heavy costs” for attacks on civilian shipping, as oil prices climbed and regional tensions surged. Iranian officials accused Washington of violating the preliminary Islamabad memorandum that helped end the recent conflict, while state media reported explosions near Bandar Abbas and other strategic sites. The renewed military action raises fresh doubts about the durability of the ceasefire and the future of U.S.-Iran negotiations. Commercial vessels navigate the Strait of Hormuz amid renewed regional tensions. Image via Reuters. "Donald Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill has cut food assistance for millions of Americans" via Hannah Knowles and Mariana Alfaro of The Washington Post — One year after Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill tightened eligibility for food aid and pushed states to do more screening, Arizona is a striking example of how those changes — and the bureaucratic fallout — may have hurt Americans who qualified for aid. The number of Arizonans on food stamps has plummeted by half — a loss of nearly 500,000 people, including about 200,000 children. The USDA reported a roughly 12% nationwide drop as of this March, the latest month for which it posted data, compared with one year earlier. "It is staggering for a state to lose half of the people who were relying on food assistance to afford groceries," said Katie Bergh, a food assistance policy analyst at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. "Walmart cuts beef and soda prices. Trump takes credit" via Quartz — Walmart announced price rollbacks on beef, soda, produce, and other Summer items this week, as Trump claimed the cuts came at his administration's request — a characterization Walmart's statement did not support. Trump posted on Truth Social that Walmart would lower prices "at my administration's request to celebrate our great Country's 250th birthday," singling out a roughly 15% drop in ground beef prices. The deals on soda, for instance, mirror promotions the chain ran during the previous Summer, and the lower prices had already been available at stores for roughly a week before Trump weighed in on social media. Julie Barber, executive vice president and chief merchant of Walmart U.S., said in a statement that the retailer had made "investments in price" across products customers are shopping for most during the Summer season. “Trump revives F-35 sale for Turkey” via Natalie Allison and Michael Birnbaum of The Washington Post — Trump signaled he is open to selling F-35 fighter jets to Turkey, praising President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan during a NATO summit meeting despite bipartisan congressional opposition. Trump said the sale was “certainly something we will consider,” while Erdoğan asserted Trump had promised the aircraft. The potential deal would reverse years of U.S. resistance after Turkey acquired Russia’s S-400 air defense system, though officials say Ankara could transfer the system to another country to ease security concerns. Trump also renewed his push for U.S. control of Greenland, warning that Denmark’s refusal strains relations despite its NATO membership and strategic importance. "Anna Paulina Luna delivers $1M to SPC to strengthen workforce pipeline" via Aaron Styza of St. Pete Catalyst — Congresswoman Luna delivered $1 million in federal funding Tuesday morning to St. Petersburg College (SPC) to support skills training for SPC's SMART (Semiconductor, Mechatronics, Automation and Robotics Training for Technicians) Tech Industry 4.0 Lab. The money funds a pipeline to help graduates secure lucrative manufacturing jobs and will be used to purchase advanced equipment, renovate existing educational spaces and provide students with real-world training opportunities. For Pinellas County, the issue isn't attracting manufacturers; it's supplying enough trained workers to meet demand. "We've worked a lot with the colleges to try and place students in these pipelines, so a lot of the manufacturers we've talked to are opening up apprentice programs," Luna said. "I also think this gets into the bigger issue of affordability in the county." “Shark diving tourism off Florida coast could nose-dive if feeding ban passes” via Kairi Lowery of the Miami Herald — Current federal law, passed in 2001, says anyone wishing to introduce food or other substances into the water to attract sharks must go beyond state waters, deemed as the first three nautical miles offshore in the Atlantic Ocean and nine nautical miles in the Gulf. The Florida Safe Seas Act, introduced by Rep. Daniel Webster last June, seeks to extend that rule to the waters beyond — also called federal waters — essentially banning shark feeding for any purpose other than actually catching sharks. It passed the U.S. House of Representatives in June and will now head to the Senate for a vote. If passed, it would include exceptions for government-funded research programs. While dive charters worry they could lose their livelihood, representatives say the bill, which has bipartisan support from Rep. Darren Soto, isn’t meant to target companies and put them out of business; it’s to keep swimmers safe. Florida shark-diving operators brace for a proposed federal ban on shark feeding. “Poll shows growing skepticism of U.S. support for Israel” via Scott Clement of The Washington Post — Americans have grown increasingly critical of U.S. support for Israel since the war in Gaza began, with Democrats driving much of the shift, according to a new AP-NORC poll. Forty percent of respondents now say the United States is “too supportive” of Israel, up from 27% before Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack. A majority of Democrats (58%) believe U.S. backing has gone too far, while Republican views have changed little. The survey also found 31% of Americans believe Israel’s military actions amount to genocide, though nearly half said they lacked enough information to judge. Other recent polling likewise shows that sympathy toward Palestinians has risen significantly. “Harriet Tubman’s $20 bill redesign shelved again” via Tara Suter of The Hill — The Trump administration has abandoned plans to place Tubman on the $20 bill, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed, reversing efforts revived under former President Joe Biden. The redesign, first proposed during the Barack Obama administration, would have replaced Andrew Jackson on the front of the note and was originally targeted for release in 2020 to mark the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment. The first Trump administration previously delayed the project, and the Biden administration sought to accelerate it. Bessent said the Treasury Department is “not at present” moving forward with the redesign, effectively shelving the long-debated proposal once again.

Local: S. FL   "Marleine Bastien laps challengers in 3-way fundraising contest for Miami-Dade Commission" via Jesse Scheckner of Florida Politics — Miami-Dade Commissioner Bastien far outpaced her two District 2 opponents during the latest fundraising period, with contributions coming from real estate and business interests, consulting firms and several notable local figures. Between April 1 and June 26, the most recent date from which campaign finance reports are available, Bastien took in nearly $49,000 through her campaign account. Trapeze artist and self-described First Amendment auditor Miguel "Skip" Quintero, who ran unsuccessfully for Miami-Dade Mayor in 2024, raised a comparatively paltry $1,380. But he still outstripped first-time candidate Ernst Jean, who filed for the race April 7 and cobbled together just $400 — all of it his — through late June. The Miami-Dade Commission is technically nonpartisan, as are its elections, meaning Bastien, Quintero and Jean will all appear on the Aug. 18 Primary ballot. Marleine Bastien widens the fundraising gap in Miami-Dade’s District 2 contest. “Trump’s South Florida properties see income soar” via Shirsho Dasgupta of the Miami Herald — Trump’s South Florida holdings generated about $265 million last year, according to his latest financial disclosure, with Mar-a-Lago, Trump National Doral and golf clubs in Jupiter and West Palm Beach all posting major gains. Mar-a-Lago's income more than tripled from Trump’s first term, helped by a membership initiation fee that rose to $1 million before his re-election. GOP candidates and committees also increased spending at Trump properties, underscoring the overlap between political power and personal business. Democrats have long questioned whether Trump profits from office, though current scrutiny has shifted toward cryptocurrency ventures. Trump denies wrongdoing, saying broader market gains explain his wealth. "Debra Tendrich honored by Palm Beach PBA after domestic violence bill becomes law" via Jesse Scheckner of Florida Politics — Rep. Tendrich just scored additional recognition for her legislative work on domestic violence reform. Tendrich, whose landmark domestic violence bill (HB 277) took effect July 1, was recently honored at a Palm Beach County Police Benevolent Association (PBA) event. HB 277 enhances penalties for domestic violence offenders, increases victim-relocation allowances and allows threats and cruelty to pets to be included in protective injunctions. "As both a State Representative and a survivor of domestic violence, this legislation is deeply personal," she said. "No one should have to live in fear, and no family should lose someone because our laws failed to protect them. HB 277 is about giving survivors hope, holding abusers accountable, and helping stop violence before it turns deadly."

Local: C. FL   "Orange County's hotel tax revenue is up 9% from last year, Phil Diamond says" via Gabrielle Russon of Florida Politics — Orange County hotel tax revenue broke another record in May with nearly $32.8 million collected, up 9% from May 2025, officials announced. "May 2026 once again delivered a record-setting month for Tourist Development Tax (TDT) collections. It marked the highest May on record and extended our streak of consecutive year-over-year growth to fourteen months," Orange County Comptroller Diamond said. Visit Orlando's President and CEO, Cassandra Matej, said the May occupancy rate was about 73%, up 3% from May 2025. "Travel performance outlook for July and August shows booking pace is ahead of 2025 by 2%," Matej said. "Interest in our destination for Summer travel remains strong. Flight search volume for travel to Orlando during the July-August period is up 10% in the last month compared to the same time last year." Phil Diamond reports another record month for Orange County’s hotel tax collections. "Data center developer says 'we want to be a partner' with Lakeland" via Sara-Megan Walsh of the Lakeland Ledger — As Lakeland officials consider implementing a moratorium on data centers, the developer behind the proposed "Project Swan" has stepped forward and offered more details. "It's not an AI data center," said Tyler Lohmiller, director of real estate development for Ryan Companies U.S. "What we are looking at is a cloud data storage edge facility." The proposal calls for an approximately 500,000-square-foot data center when fully built out, with a 100-megawatt peak electrical demand. The proposed data center is not looking to use any water for cooling, Lohmiller said, only enough water to operate sinks and restrooms for its employees.

Local: TB   "Garrett Greco, of Tampa Greco family fame, files for Tampa City Council" via Janelle Irwin Taylor of Florida Politics — Greco, grandson of former Tampa Mayor Dick Greco, has filed to run for Tampa City Council, District 3. Greco is seeking the seat being vacated by incumbent Lynn Hurtak, who is leaving office to run for Mayor. Greco is the third person to file for the seat, following entries by Candice Cowen and Quinton Robinson. "Tampa is growing, and the decisions we make today will shape what kind of city our children inherit," Greco said. "I'm running because I believe we can protect what makes Tampa special while building a city that is more affordable, better connected, and prepared for the future. That starts with listening to residents, respecting our neighborhoods, investing in infrastructure, and making sure City Hall works for the people it serves." Garrett Greco enters Tampa’s City Council race with a familiar political surname. "Gina Driscoll first City Council member to back Charlie Crist" via Janelle Irwin Taylor of Florida Politics — St. Petersburg City Council Member Driscoll is endorsing Crist for Mayor, a nod that rejects both incumbent Mayor Ken Welch and Driscoll's Council colleague, Brandi Gabbard. Driscoll is the first sitting Council member to back Crist. Two members — Deborah Figgs-Sanders and Copley Gerdes — have endorsed Welch. "I believe St. Pete can be to ocean science what the Research Triangle is to technology if we have the right leadership," Driscoll wrote, adding, in a subtle dig at Welch, that Crist's work "is the difference between claiming credit and earning it." "St. Pete marketing materials claimed America 250 fireworks would 'double in scale.' They didn't" via Jesse Mendoza of Florida Politics — St. Petersburg told residents this year's Independence Day celebration would "double in scale and splendor" for America's 250th anniversary, but invoices obtained by Florida Politics show spending only slightly higher than last year, with direct spending on the actual fireworks the same as in 2025. The city was billed the same $43,750 for the fireworks display fee as in 2025, while the overall invoice rose from nearly $71,000 to nearly $99,000 — the difference came from barge-related and support costs. Public Facebook posts after the July 4 display reflect a visible wave of frustration. Luis Bedoya, a local real estate executive, called the fireworks "a real letdown," writing: "The city should be ashamed." Several comments were overtly political, tying disappointment to Mayor Welch and city leadership. "How St. Pete Pride's economics have shifted" via Aaron Styza of St. Pete Catalyst — Citing budgetary shortfalls, St. Pete Pride canceled its July 19 Shades of Pride event, signaling waning support from Bay Area sponsorships and increased costs to put on the event. Events like that require large enough business sponsorships to operate without a deficit, explained Byron Green-Calisch, St. Pete Pride Board president. But the St. Pete organization's financial challenges did not emerge overnight. The economics have shifted over the last two decades, as Pride has grown and evolved. Still, the organization must make up for this year's economic shortcomings before next year – an issue exacerbated by DeSantis' anti-DEI and LGBTQ+ legislation, which could curtail the city's ability to contribute to the event without penalties. "We are searching for partnerships that allow us different financial models," said Green-Calisch.

Local: N. FL   “Jake Gordon to depart as CEO of Jacksonville Downtown Vision” via Drew Wilson of Florida Politics — Gordon, CEO of Downtown Vision Inc., announced he’ll be leaving the organization Sept. 30. Downtown Vision is charged with increasing residential and business development in the First Coast city’s urban core. “It has been a privilege to lead this organization through such a dynamic period of growth for Downtown Jacksonville,” Gordon said. “I am proud of all of our accomplishments. Now is the right time to allow for new leadership.” A Downtown Vision press release said Gordon voluntarily chose to leave the job but did not say what he’ll do next. “Criminal charges follow fake St. Johns voter guide scheme” via A.G. Gancarski of Florida Politics — Nearly two years after counterfeit Republican voter guides surfaced during the 2024 Primary, criminal charges have been filed against St. Johns County Commissioners Sarah Arnold and Christian Whitehurst, St. Augustine Beach Commissioner Dylan Rumrell, political consultant Briana Jordan and Jamie Lynn Johnson. Prosecutors allege the group conspired to distribute unauthorized voter guides falsely presented as official publications of the St. Johns County Republican Executive Committee. Jordan also faces a felony evidence-tampering charge for allegedly destroying voter guides during the investigation. The case, investigated by FDLE and prosecuted by 8th Judicial Circuit State Attorney Brian Kramer, could ultimately prompt gubernatorial suspensions of the elected officials while the criminal proceedings unfold. Sarah Arnold and Christian Whitehurst face scrutiny over a fake St. Johns GOP voter guide. “Fake voter guide case rocks St. Johns GOP” via A.G. Gancarski of Florida Politics — Criminal charges stemming from a fake 2024 Republican voter guide have vindicated St. Johns County Republican Chair Denver Cook, who says the mail campaign was a deliberate effort to manipulate Primary voters and undermine the local party. Investigators say about 10,000 fraudulent guides falsely used the local GOP’s branding. Cook said the party has learned its lesson and will forgo endorsements during the 2026 Primaries. "Palm Coast officials launch website to answer questions about massive planned development" via Drew Dixon of Florida Politics — Land development company Radient is proposing a project covering more than 20,000 acres west of U.S. 1 in Palm Coast that could take until 2056 to complete. Palm Coast officials are launching a series of public meetings and a dedicated website to get input from residents. The first public meeting is set for July 15 at 5:30 p.m. at Palm Coast City Hall. "Community participation is an important part of the development review process," said Community Development Director John Zobler. "We encourage residents to review the available information, attend the public meetings, and share their comments as the proposal moves through the city's public review process."

Local: SW. FL   "Domestic battery conviction, injunctions shadow Glen Gibellina's Manatee County Commission bid" via Jesse Mendoza of Florida Politics — Manatee County Commission candidate Gibellina was convicted in 2007 of misdemeanor domestic battery and two related violations of pretrial release, part of a lengthy court record that also includes final protection injunctions, contempt findings and dismissed or abandoned allegations, according to court records. Gibellina, who is challenging County Commissioner Mike Rahn for the District 4 seat, pleaded no contest to the charge, which stemmed from a 2007 argument with his former wife, Connie Gibellina, over visitation rights. A Clerk search returns 60 matching records dating from 1984 to 2025. "That was 20 years ago, and a very dark time in my life," Gibellina told Florida Politics. "I don't deny it, we both had issues at the time. … I've been sober for 19 years and continue to go to AA. It's helped me immensely. I have a great relationship with my ex-wife now." Glen Gibellina’s campaign revives questions tied to his legal past. “Fort Myers incumbents mostly coast into new terms” via Amy Bennett Williams of Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News — Two Fort Myers City Council incumbents will keep their seats without opposition, leaving Ward 3 as the city’s only contested Council race this year. Terolyn Watson, first elected in 2015, faces challenger Chantel Rhodes. Ward 1’s Teresa Watkins Brown and Ward 5’s Fred Burson drew no opponents and will remain in office. Watson, a Fort Myers native and longtime Lee County School District employee, had raised $14,250 as of June 19. Rhodes, also born and raised in Fort Myers, has degrees in criminology and social work, taught English in China and now works for Lee Health. She reported a $500 loan and no contributions. “Lee School Board hopefuls face voters at forum” via Amy Bennett Williams of Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News — Lee County School Board candidates will appear at a July 9 forum at Florida Gulf Coast University as four of the Board’s seven seats head to the ballot. Districts 1, 4, 5 and 6 are up this year, with Districts 1 and 6 decided in the Aug. 18 Primary. The League of Women Voters of Lee County, WGCU and The News-Press are hosting the event, which will focus on issues including fiscal transparency, teacher retention and parental rights. The District serves more than 100,000 students and is navigating a $92.4 million budget deficit, as well as 457 staff contract nonrenewal notices. “Estero budget bets big on parks, keeps tax rate flat” via Evan Williams of Gulfshore Business — Estero officials are proposing a $90.8 million budget for fiscal year 2026-27 while holding the village’s property tax rate at 0.73 mills, among the lowest in Southwest Florida. Much of the spending reflects a planned $69 million bond issue to fund capital improvements, with $43.6 million dedicated to parks and recreation, including the next phase of Estero Sports Park. Another $19 million is earmarked for Estero’s share of the proposed acquisition of the Bonita Estero Rail Trail. Village Manager Steven Sarkozy also warned that a proposed statewide expansion of the homestead exemption could reduce Estero’s annual property tax revenue by roughly $2.5 million, potentially affecting future capital projects.

Top opinion   "Don't invest your political capital in sketchy people" via Nate Silver of Silver Bulletin — Graham Platner, the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate in Maine, was accused of sexual assault in a story reported by POLITICO, and the allegation has to be taken seriously: the accuser identified herself by name and provided corroborating materials, including communications about the assault with her therapist and with a friend before Platner became a major political figure. Platner has denied the allegations — "any accusation of nonconsensual behavior is categorically false," he said in a video — but he also said he was taking time to "reflect on the best path forward" for his campaign and the best way to defeat Susan Collins. Much of the video was phrased in the past tense. Traders on prediction markets think it is very likely that Platter will drop out, giving him just a 3% chance of being the next U.S. Senator from Maine. After Collins, at 37%, the next-most-likely winner is Troy Jackson, at 34%. Under Maine law, Platner has until July 13 at 5 p.m. to withdraw; the Maine Democratic Party would then have two weeks to replace him. Interestingly, Democrats' chances of winning the seat actually improved on the news. Platner had already lost altitude after sexting allegations surfaced in late May. Ahead of Collins by an average of 6 points before those allegations, he's led by just 1 point since, in a state where polls have frequently underestimated Collins — and two of the three most recent polls showed him trailing. The three most successful left-wing politicians in America — Bernie Sanders, Zohran Mamdani and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez — conspicuously don't have a whole lot of personal baggage. And some prominent voices on the left aren't circling the wagons: Hasan Piker called the allegations "reliable" and said it was "curtains" for Platner's campaign, while The Nation called for his replacement. "Few of us are boy scouts. At some point, though, you pass a threshold where someone's story doesn't add up. … Should he remain on the ballot, Platner will be a burden for Democrats' ability to win a majority this November."

More opinions   “MAGA’s World Cup enthusiasm vanished after U.S. rout,” by Will Sommer of The Bulwark — Trump’s intervention to help restore Folarin Balogun’s eligibility for the U.S.-Belgium World Cup match briefly turned many MAGA influencers into unlikely soccer enthusiasts. Allies praised Trump for persuading FIFA to lift Balogun’s suspension, portraying the move as another display of American strength. But after Belgium dismantled the United States 4-1, much of that enthusiasm evaporated. Prominent conservative personalities who had celebrated Trump’s involvement quickly mocked soccer, declared they were ready for football season and distanced themselves from the sport. The episode underscored how quickly political loyalty shaped online reactions, turning soccer from a patriotic cause into an object of ridicule once the desired outcome failed to materialize. “Florida voters need to check their IDs now” via the Orlando Sentinel and South Florida Sun-Sentinel editorial boards — Florida voters face avoidable ballot headaches unless they update their voter registration after renewing or replacing a driver’s license or state ID. New security numbers on IDs issued after July 31, 2024, can create mismatches in the voter database, especially for vote-by-mail requests. The fix is simple: Say “yes” when asked to update voter registration during a license transaction, use Florida’s online voter registration system, or contact the local Supervisor of Elections. The risk is especially acute for older voters, who renew licenses more frequently and rely heavily on mail ballots. Suppression does not always require intent; sometimes confusion alone is enough. “Data center protests risk helping Big Tech” via Edward Longe of Florida Politics — Data center opposition may feel like a fight against corporate power, but the backlash risks making the biggest technology companies even stronger. Communities from Florida to Utah and Indiana have raised concerns about water use, electricity costs and server farms in their backyards. Yet data centers also give startups and small businesses access to the computing power they need without having to build their own infrastructure. When local opposition delays billions in projects, supply tightens, and cloud costs rise. Giants like Amazon, Google, Meta and Microsoft can absorb the hit. Smaller companies cannot. Restrictive zoning, permitting delays and energy limits may sound like consumer protection, but they can become regulatory capture by another name.

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Aloe   “Ancient cave offers clues to Neanderthal-human ties” via Katie Hunt of CNN — New archaeological discoveries from a cave in southern Turkey suggest Neanderthals and Homo sapiens may have shared cultural traditions long before modern humans became dominant. Fossils show Neanderthals occupied Üçağızlı II Cave between 77,000 and 59,000 years ago, followed by Homo sapiens through 47,000 years ago. Both groups crafted similar Mousterian stone tools, hunted the same animals and collected identical Mediterranean seashells, hinting at more than a passing encounter. Researchers say the findings strengthen the case for cultural exchange alongside the interbreeding already documented by ancient DNA. The discovery offers rare archaeological evidence from a pivotal period when modern humans expanded beyond Africa into the Middle East. Ancient cave discoveries reshape what researchers know about Neanderthals and early humans.

Happy birthday   Best wishes to Rep. Juan Carlos Porras, Peter Cracchiolo, Sebastian Leon, Doug Mannheimer, and Kareem Spratling. ___ Sunburn is authored and assembled by Peter Schorsch, Phil Ammann, Daniel Dean, Ryan Nicol, Jacob Ogles, and Drew Wilson.

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