GOP candidate for Congress says Republicans plotting to kill her Florida Realtors to push citizen initiative The DeSantis crackdown that isn’t -…
Hello and welcome to Tuesday.
Life in the Sunshine State Floridas campaign season for 2022 is just starting to get up and running and this emerging story is well so Florida.
The contender Anna Paulina Luna, an up-and-coming Republican candidate for Congress who lost last year to Charlie Crist by about 6 percentage points, has already announced she is making another go for the seat now that Crist is running for governor. Crists seat is seen a potential Republican pickup opportunity since it could get reshaped during redistricting. Luna last year was able to win the Republican primary with support from Rep. Matt Gaetz and Turning Points Charlie Kirk.
Serious allegations But Luna late last week sought a stalking injunction against one of her likely GOP primary challengers and she told authorities that he and two other potential candidates conspired to kill her. In her request for an injunction shared with Playbook, Luna wrote I do not feel safe and I am currently in fear for my life. The document states she has turned over information to law enforcement including screen shots of text messages and that her opponents are working to take me out.
Response The Tampa Bay Times did a lengthy story Monday and William Braddock, the pending candidate that Luna got a temporary injunction against, told the news organization bluntly: This woman is off her rocker and she does not need to be representing anyone. Braddock speculated that Luna herself could wind up getting charged for filing a false police report. Amanda Makki, who lost to Luna in last years primary and was listed in the injunction request as working with Braddock, called the allegations nonsense.
Not everything is public One caveat is that information shared to local law enforcement has not been made public yet and James Blair, a spokesman for Luna, told the Times that he was confident the facts will be public at the appropriate time.
WHERE'S RON? Gov. DeSantis is scheduled to be in Tallahassee for a meeting with the Florida Cabinet.
PROGRAMMING NOTE: Florida Playbook will not publish on Friday, June 18. We'll be back on our normal schedule on Monday, June 21. Please continue to follow POLITICO Florida.
Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for Playbook? Get in touch: [emailprotected]
A message from Facebook:
The internet has changed a lot since 1996 - internet regulations should too It's been 25 years since comprehensive internet regulations passed. See why we support updated regulations on key issues, including: Protecting peoples privacy Enabling safe and easy data portability between platforms Preventing election interference Reforming Section 230
SERIOUS ALLEGATIONS Anna Paulina Luna says potential political opponents conspired to kill her," by Tampa Bay Times Romy Ellenbogen: On May 26, [Matt] Tito and [Anna Paulina] Luna got into disputes while appearing on a radio show together. Tito pressed Luna on having photos taken in uniform after she left military service a discussion point that Braddock called in and brought up. In the petition, Luna mentions May 26 as a day when Braddock sought out interaction with her and coordinated with Tito. After the show, Tito said he told Luna there were no hard feelings, but he said she yelled at him and told him not to do that again. He said Saturday that Luna should suspend her campaign and drop out of the race, calling her unfit for office. He said hes talking to a lawyer about a defamation claim because she named him in her petition for injunction. 'Her goal was to embarrass us, it was to get us to keep us out of the race, to intimidate us,' Tito said."
WHO DO YOU TRUST? Florida Realtors sponsoring 2022 ballot measure to block trust fund sweeps, by POLITICOs Matt Dixon: A political committee setup by the Florida Realtors is sponsoring a 2022 ballot measure that aims to prevent future sweeps to affordable housing trust funds, an issue that pitted housing advocates against legislative leadership during the 2021 legislative session. The proposal is being sponsored by Floridians for Housing, a political committee the Florida Realtors have already stocked with $5 million, according to state election records. Florida Realtors is the largest trade organization for real estate agents in the state.
STRATEGY Rubios play for anti-China vote, by Axios Lachlan Markay: Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) is making a play for China hawks in Florida as he braces for a competitive re-election fight next year, records show. Why it matters: Hostility toward communism drove a significant number of Latino voters in Florida into the Republican column in 2020. The Rubio campaigns focus on China can capitalize on that trend and a wider and widening American mistrust of Beijing. Whats new: Rubio allies have spent the past year quietly building a list of voters motivated by anti-China sentiment. Now his campaign is openly hitting up their inboxes. Rubio campaign emails with subject lines such as, 'Dems <3 China,' and, 'Is it time to stand up to Communist China?' have started going out to a list maintained by a nonprofit group called Stand Up to China.
WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 10: Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee Chariman Marco Rubio (R-FL) listens during a hearing on June 10, 2020 in Washington, DC. The committee is examining the implementation of the CARES Act, which has handed out billions of dollars of government-backed forgivable loans to small-business owners if they keep employees on their payroll. (Photo by Al-Drago-Pool/Getty Images) | Al Drago/Getty Images
DEMINGS TIME Rep. Val Demings continues to make the media rounds following her announcement that she would challenge Sen. Marco Rubio. Demings went on MSNBC on Monday where she called it shameful that Rubio supported efforts by Gov. Ron DeSantis and other governors to cut off supplemental unemployment benefits that were authorized by Congress to run until September. Demings also appeared on Crooked Medias Pod Save America, where she repeated her position that I do not support defunding the police and that vulnerable Black and brown communities dont want less resources but want to be treated with dignity and respect.
JUST AN OVERSIGHT? Exclusive: Nikki Frieds campaign site was liberal in English, moderate in Spanish until she was questioned, by Newsweeks Adrian Carrasquillo: Nikki Fried, Florida's agriculture commissioner, a rising star among state Democrats who hopes to defeat Governor Ron DeSantis next year if she wins the primary, sounds like a tried and true progressive on her English-language website. She touts being an advocate for criminal justice reform, taking on the NRA, and fighting to protect the environment. But as of Friday, all of that was missing from her Spanish-language website. Asked about the discrepancy by Newsweek, Fried's team quickly added the language in Spanish and fleshed out her biography on the page within two hours of the initial request for comment.
BUILDING UP Fried adds staff to Florida gubernatorial campaign, by POLITICOs Bruce Ritchie: Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, the only statewide elected Democrat, is adding campaign staff amid her bid to unseat Gov. Ron DeSantis. The details: Fried announced Monday her campaign is hiring Aria Branch of the Perkins Coie law firm as legal adviser and Evelyn Prez-Verda as senior adviser on Latino issues. Prez-Verda advised the 2020 Democratic presidential campaigns of Pete Buttigieg and Joe Biden on Latin American policy and messaging. Kevin Cate of CATECOMM will serve as lead ad maker and media adviser. Cate worked for Tom Steyers Democratic presidential campaign in 2019 and was senior adviser to former Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum in his losing effort against DeSantis for governor in 2018.
RIPPLE EFFECT Orlando State Rep. Kamia Brown to run for state Senate to succeed Randolph Bracy, by Orlando Sentinel Steven Lemongello: The reshuffling of Central Florida politics following U.S. Rep. Val Demings run for U.S. Senate continues, with state Rep. Kamia Brown, D-Orlando, filing to run for state Senate. Brown, 40, is running in the district currently represented by state Sen. Randolph Bracy, who is vacating his seat to run for Congress to succeed Demings.
IMPORTANT LOCAL RACES Is 2022 the year Florida parents wake up to school board politics? by Tampa Bay Times Jeffrey Solochek: The past year opened eyes, [Sarasota County School Board member Bridget] Ziegler said. Having taken more active roles in their childrens schooling, parents of all political persuasions started paying more attention, she noted, and in many cases got frustrated. They started watching board meetings online. And when the meetings reopened, some began attending to speak out. Many took issue with boards decisions on resuming in-person classes, mandating masks and offering lessons that might have gone unnoticed before. I believe youre going to see parents show up in waves at the ballot box, where, in a typical year, large numbers of voters pass over school board races, Ziegler said. And I think youre going to see lots of people in their 30s or so run for office.
ITS WINDOW DRESSING DeSantis much-touted Florida EVerify immigration law snares no one, by Orlando Sentinels Gray Rohrer: Private employers in Florida have been required to use E-Verify, a federal system for checking the legal status of a potential hire, since the start of the year. But there have been no complaints made to the state agency in charge of enforcing the law in the five and a half months its been in effect. A Department of Economic Opportunity spokeswoman told the Orlando Sentinel there have been no complaints and no enforcement measures taken against any employers since the provisions affecting private businesses took effect Jan. 1.
SENDING A MESSAGE DeSantis signs two bills in Surfside synagogue, emphasizes his support for Israel, by Miami Heralds Marie-Rose Sheinerman and Ana Ceballos and Tampa Bay Times Kirby Wilson: Nearly 300 people gathered at the Shul of Bal Harbour, a sprawling Orthodox synagogue, to greet Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday as he signed into law two bills of particular importance to the South Florida Jewish community one authorizing a local emergency medical service and another mandating a moment of silence in schools. The governor also took the opportunity to make it clear how strongly he supports Israel. He promised shortly after taking office to become the most pro-Israel governor in America.
Florida gets another legal challenge to new elections rules, by News Service of Floridas Jim Saunders
Shevrin Jones says Governor, GOP ginning up faux outrage over critical race theory, by Florida Politics Ryan Nicol
TRAVEL AGENT Senator Rick Scott doesnt get why Biden hasnt visited border, says its not that hard, by Newsweeks Cammy Pedroja: Florida Senator Rick Scott took aim at President Joe Biden's handling of the border crisis on Monday morning, saying I don't get why he won't go to the border, it's not that hard. The first-term Republican senator and former Florida Governor appeared on Fox Business Network's Mornings with Maria, giving an account of how the current immigration crisis is affecting his state. Scott blamed Biden's policies directly for several alleged effects of the border crisis, including human trafficking and increased fentanyl overdoses. My heart goes out to all the people who are being trafficked. It's all caused by Joe Biden and the things that are happening to American citizens because of what Joe Biden has done, Scott said.
A MAGICAL PLACE Armed at Disney World: More tourists caught with concealed guns during pandemic, by Orlando Sentinels Gabrielle Russon: Disney World, the biggest theme park resort on the planet, has seen a spike of people arrested and charged with carrying concealed firearms over the past year, despite being closed for months and operating at reduced capacity because of the COVID-19 epidemic. Some guests are forgetting about their handguns in purses, backpacks, fanny packs, or in one case, a diaper bag, where Orange County deputies found two guns at Epcot last summer. A handful of times, visitors left their weapons in their pockets or strapped to their waist, unaware that Disney bans guns, as they strode up to security.
FACE TIME Vaccinated visitors soon can take off masks at Disney World, by The Associated Press: Walt Disney World in Florida is making it easier to see smiles again, but guests still cant hug the characters. Starting Tuesday, face masks will be optional for visitors to the theme park resort who are vaccinated, though Disney workers wont require proof of vaccination, the company said on its website. Visitors who arent fully vaccinated still will need to wear face masks indoors and on all rides and attractions. Because vaccines arent yet available for children under age 12, they too will have to mask up still.
DeSantis faces questions about cruise industry during bill signing in South Florida, by WPLGs Glenna Milberg
A message from Facebook:
Why Facebook supports updated internet regulations
2021 is the 25th anniversary of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, the last major update to internet regulation. Its time for an update to set clear rules for addressing today's toughest challenges.
See how were taking action on key issues and why we support updated internet regulations.
BIRTHDAYS: State Rep. Traci Koster Former NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine
Want to make an impact? POLITICO Florida has a variety of solutions available for partners looking to reach and activate the most influential people in the Sunshine State. Have a petition you want signed? A cause youre promoting? Seeking to increase brand awareness amongst this key audience? Share your message with our influential readers to foster engagement and drive action. Contact Jesse Shapiro to find out how: [emailprotected]
Read this article:
GOP candidate for Congress says Republicans plotting to kill her Florida Realtors to push citizen initiative The DeSantis crackdown that isn't -...
- Republicans see no foul in backing US World Cup team led by birthright citizen while opposing the constitutional right - Courthouse News - June 28th, 2026 [June 28th, 2026]
- Democrats and Republicans make their choices for November - Times of Wayne County - June 28th, 2026 [June 28th, 2026]
- Why it Matters: Governor vetoes mail-in ballot ID bill, but Republicans say the push isnt over - WTVG - June 28th, 2026 [June 28th, 2026]
- Republicans fear Trump is hurting their chances. He cant understand why. - Politico - June 19th, 2026 [June 19th, 2026]
- Trump delays his own national intelligence nominee, fueling tension with fellow Republicans - AP News - June 19th, 2026 [June 19th, 2026]
- Democratic ballots outpace Republicans as Colorados primary vote starts to trickle in - Colorado Springs Gazette - June 19th, 2026 [June 19th, 2026]
- Three Republicans seek U.S. Senate nomination to face Warner; all cite ties to Trump - Cardinal News - June 19th, 2026 [June 19th, 2026]
- Why Republicans think they can save their House majority at the US-Mexico border - CNN - June 19th, 2026 [June 19th, 2026]
- Senate Republicans grow increasingly frustrated with Trump blindsiding them - NBC News - June 19th, 2026 [June 19th, 2026]
- Trumps break with Senate Republicans once again disrupts their agenda - The Washington Post - June 19th, 2026 [June 19th, 2026]
- John Paul Hammerschmidt was a forefather of Arkansas Republicans and advocate of Northwest development - The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette - June 19th, 2026 [June 19th, 2026]
- Republicans are betting their mid-decade redistricting gamble will pay off - Politico - June 19th, 2026 [June 19th, 2026]
- Senate Republicans in no hurry to deliver Trumps next reconciliation bill - Politico - June 19th, 2026 [June 19th, 2026]
- Trump Is Fed Up With Senate Republicans. The Feeling Is Mutual. - News of the United States - NOTUS - June 19th, 2026 [June 19th, 2026]
- Republicans actually do have a healthcare plan, and its a good one - The Washington Post - June 19th, 2026 [June 19th, 2026]
- Republicans are desperate to move on from the Iran war - The Economist - June 19th, 2026 [June 19th, 2026]
- Georgia Republicans Shelve Redistricting as Anger Grows - The New York Times - June 17th, 2026 [June 17th, 2026]
- The more Senate Republicans learn about Trumps Iran deal, the more they dont like it - MS NOW - June 17th, 2026 [June 17th, 2026]
- Republicans in Washington on edge over Iran deal as Trump touts its merits - NBC News - June 17th, 2026 [June 17th, 2026]
- Fox News Poll: Most rate the economy negatively, including half of Republicans - Fox News - June 17th, 2026 [June 17th, 2026]
- Americans are divided on culture war issues, a new CNN poll finds. Republicans are trying to leverage that in the midterms - CNN - June 17th, 2026 [June 17th, 2026]
- Guthrie, House Republicans Take Action to Prevent Fraud and Hold Bad Actors Accountable - Congressman Brett Guthrie (.gov) - June 17th, 2026 [June 17th, 2026]
- Why Trumps Iran agreement could be a tough sell for Republicans: From the Politics Desk - NBC News - June 17th, 2026 [June 17th, 2026]
- Young Republicans are becoming more conservative - Good Authority - June 17th, 2026 [June 17th, 2026]
- Opinion | Republicans thought the Senate map was their friend. It isnt anymore. - The Washington Post - June 17th, 2026 [June 17th, 2026]
- Republicans Again Block War Powers Measure in the Senate - The New York Times - June 17th, 2026 [June 17th, 2026]
- Republicans hopeful Iran deal could stop the pain at the pump but it may be too late - Politico - June 17th, 2026 [June 17th, 2026]
- Corruption scandals from Denver to Washington dragged down Republicans as the 1876 election began - The Durango Herald - June 17th, 2026 [June 17th, 2026]
- Republicans Block Pentagon Investment Ban Aimed at Trump Family - News of the United States - NOTUS - June 17th, 2026 [June 17th, 2026]
- Trumps Surprise DNI Announcement Leaves Senate Republicans Reeling - News of the United States - NOTUS - June 17th, 2026 [June 17th, 2026]
- Trumps OBBBA will cap federal loans on July 1. Republicans are working to save loans for nurses - Fortune - June 17th, 2026 [June 17th, 2026]
- RFK Jr. keeps showing up in districts Republicans need to win - Politico - June 17th, 2026 [June 17th, 2026]
- Trump delays his own national intelligence nominee, fueling tension with fellow Republicans - TelegraphHerald.com - June 17th, 2026 [June 17th, 2026]
- Republicans Would Rather Get Rid of This Agency Than Upset Trump. Thats a Terrible Idea. - Slate Magazine - June 16th, 2026 [June 16th, 2026]
- Trump handcuffs congressional Republicans to the SAVE Act | Opinion - USA Today - June 16th, 2026 [June 16th, 2026]
- House approves Harris plan to ban local taxes on streaming services - Michigan House Republicans - June 16th, 2026 [June 16th, 2026]
- Senate Republicans Wont Back Iran Deal Without Details - News of the United States - NOTUS - June 16th, 2026 [June 16th, 2026]
- Republicans seek to void proposed ESA reforms at the ballot - Axios - June 16th, 2026 [June 16th, 2026]
- Top Senate Republicans say theyre in the dark about the U.S. deal with Iran - Jewish Insider - June 16th, 2026 [June 16th, 2026]
- Republicans think they live on the moral high ground - thegazette.com - June 16th, 2026 [June 16th, 2026]
- Who stays home may threaten Republicans this year as much as who votes - CNN - June 16th, 2026 [June 16th, 2026]
- Something unusual is going on between Ron DeSantis and Florida Republicans - Tampa Bay Times - June 16th, 2026 [June 16th, 2026]
- No soccer fans here: World Cup fever fails to grip Texas Republicans - The Guardian - June 14th, 2026 [June 14th, 2026]
- Will Trump spend his $350 million war chest to win Texas? Republicans are worried - Reuters - June 14th, 2026 [June 14th, 2026]
- Texas Republicans add bans on IVF and Sharia law to their party platform - Austin American-Statesman - June 14th, 2026 [June 14th, 2026]
- Republicans Advance Funding Bill Cutting $2 Billion from Affordable Care Act, Firing 30,000 Teachers and Eliminating Job Training - House.gov - June 14th, 2026 [June 14th, 2026]
- DeLauro: Republicans are cutting funding that helps working families afford basic necessities, while giving $70 billion to ICE and the Border Patrol... - June 14th, 2026 [June 14th, 2026]
- Republicans split on following Trumps demands for restrictive voting bill - The Guardian - June 14th, 2026 [June 14th, 2026]
- Republicans pass bill to fund ICE and Border Patrol through the end of Trumps term - NBC News - June 14th, 2026 [June 14th, 2026]
- Senate Republicans propose rescinding roadless rule by tacking it onto federal wildfire bill - Oregon Public Broadcasting - OPB - June 14th, 2026 [June 14th, 2026]
- Can Republicans move past Ken Paxton's impeachment as he campaigns for the Senate? - Texarkana Gazette - June 14th, 2026 [June 14th, 2026]
- Republicans in Our House of Representative Should Demand Accountability - CT Examiner - June 14th, 2026 [June 14th, 2026]
- Republicans just took ICE spending fights off the table. It wont end shutdown threats. - Politico - June 14th, 2026 [June 14th, 2026]
- About 1 in 5 Americans have used crypto; Republicans use has ticked up - Pew Research Center - June 14th, 2026 [June 14th, 2026]
- Proof of citizenship. Closed primaries. IVF. Here's what Texas Republicans want - Dallas News - June 14th, 2026 [June 14th, 2026]
- Ohio Republicans put voter ID on November ballot even though its already law - Democracy Docket - June 14th, 2026 [June 14th, 2026]
- Sens. Pete Ricketts and Ted Cruz rally Republicans in Lincoln for close Senate election against 'dishonest' left - Nebraska Public Media - June 14th, 2026 [June 14th, 2026]
- Q&A: Meet the Republicans vying for Colorados 3rd Congressional District - VailDaily.com - June 14th, 2026 [June 14th, 2026]
- Meet the Republicans defying Donald Trump - The Economist - May 29th, 2026 [May 29th, 2026]
- Republicans are poised to finish this years redistricting war 10 seats ahead of Democrats - CNN - May 29th, 2026 [May 29th, 2026]
- Louisiana Legislature approves redistricting plan to give Republicans another US House seat - Mississippi Today - May 29th, 2026 [May 29th, 2026]
- Politics Friday Special: Democrats and Republicans convene for their party conventions - MPR News - May 29th, 2026 [May 29th, 2026]
- 3 US House Republicans Attempt to Thwart Intoxicating Hemp Product Ban - Cannabis Business Times - May 29th, 2026 [May 29th, 2026]
- Trumps emerging plan to end Iran war draws criticism from hard-line Republicans - PBS - May 29th, 2026 [May 29th, 2026]
- Republicans deny juicing votes as they attempt to put already existing law on midterm ballot - News 5 Cleveland WEWS - May 29th, 2026 [May 29th, 2026]
- Republicans are gutting southern Dem districts. Dems might front-load the South in its 2028 primaries to respond. - Politico - May 29th, 2026 [May 29th, 2026]
- House Republicans take aim at Boston law enforcement over ICE interactions - NBC Boston - May 29th, 2026 [May 29th, 2026]
- Analysis | What are Republicans going to campaign on? - The Washington Post - May 29th, 2026 [May 29th, 2026]
- Louisiana Republicans Complete Their Racist Redrawing of Voting Map - The New Republic - May 29th, 2026 [May 29th, 2026]
- How Republicans are winning the war over US congressional redistricting, state by state - Yahoo - May 29th, 2026 [May 29th, 2026]
- S.E. Cupp: Republicans, be careful what you wish for - TribLIVE.com - May 29th, 2026 [May 29th, 2026]
- The vitriol is going to be real: Republicans brace for fallout from brutal Texas Senate runoff - Politico - May 29th, 2026 [May 29th, 2026]
- Senate Republicans face new headache over E. Jean Carroll investigation - The Hill - May 29th, 2026 [May 29th, 2026]
- Senate Republicans form 'YOLO conference' amid exits and primary losses - KOAA News 5 - May 29th, 2026 [May 29th, 2026]
- Senate Republicans seethe over Trump's snub of John Cornyn in Texas - USA Today - May 20th, 2026 [May 20th, 2026]
- Senate Republicans angry and alarmed over Trumps Paxton endorsement - Politico - May 20th, 2026 [May 20th, 2026]
- Georgia Republicans Head to Runoffs for Senate and Governor Races - Time Magazine - May 20th, 2026 [May 20th, 2026]
- Republicans Burt Jones and Rick Jackson advance to a runoff in the Georgia governor primary, setting up a MAGA clash - NBC News - May 20th, 2026 [May 20th, 2026]
- Georgia Republicans worry their path to defeating Ossoff is becoming more difficult - Politico - May 20th, 2026 [May 20th, 2026]
- College Republicans Split Over Whether to Embrace the Far Right - The New York Times - May 20th, 2026 [May 20th, 2026]