Last Call for 4.20.26 – A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida

Last Call – A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics.

— First Shot —

National Democrats and voting rights advocates are ramping up pressure on Florida’s looming redistricting Session, with former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder and NAACP National General Counsel Kristen Clarke set to headline a statewide organizing call tonight.

The virtual event, hosted by Equal Ground, lands at a moment of uncertainty in the redistricting process. Gov. Ron DeSantis and delayed the start of the Special Session — it was originally slated for this week but was rescheduled for April 28-May 1 — where congressional redistricting is the top-billed item on an agenda that has been expanded to include the so-called “AI Bill of Rights” and a “medical freedom” package.

The redraw is tied in part to a pending U.S. Supreme Court case that could reshape how minority-access districts are treated and, in turn, how Florida’s map looks heading into the November elections.

Holder, who now chairs the National Democratic Redistricting Committee, and Clarke are expected to frame Florida as “the next battleground in the nationwide redistricting fight,” with a focus on how new lines could affect minority voters.

Equal Ground Executive Director Genesis Robinson will also join the call, which is aimed at mobilizing Black Floridians ahead of what organizers describe as an “unprecedented” mid-decade redraw.

Florida’s current congressional map, drawn under DeSantis’ direction in 2022, helped cement a 20-8 Republican advantage in the delegation.

Any further changes could ripple beyond the state, though some argue not in the way DeSantis intends — a recent analysis by GOP consultant Alex Alvarado found that aggressive redistricting wouldn’t give Republicans any net gain but would put some otherwise safely red seats at risk.

— Evening Reads —

—”The forces of scarcity hitting Asia may soon spread across the world” via Damien Cave of The New York Times

—“The media blackout of Jared Kushner’s historic, ongoing corruption scandal” via Judd Legum of Popular Information

—“White House tries to appease Joe Rogan as Donald Trump feuds with podcasters” via Nikki McCann Ramirez of Rolling Stone

—“Why a Democratic Senate, once unthinkable, is a real possibility” via Nate Cohn of The New York Times

—”Israel’s critics are winning the battle for the Democratic Party” via Andrew Prokop of Vox

—“Is this *finally* the beginning of the end for Donald Trump?” via Chris Cillizza of So What

—”How cybercrime became a leading industry in ‘Scambodia’” via Gabriele Steinhauser and Patricia Kowsmann of The Wall Street Journal

—”‘Where’s our proposal?’: Daniel Perez frustrated with inaction on property taxes by Gov. Ron DeSantis, Senate” via Jesse Scheckner of Florida Politics

—“‘Whatever it takes’: Democrats blast DeSantis over judge’s resignation” via Jeff Burlew of the Tallahassee Democrat

—“Jay Collins remains in Governor’s race, says he’s buying ads to prove it” via A.G. Gancarski of Florida Politics

— Quote of the Day —

“I’m open to having a conversation about anything. But it seems like I’m the only one.”

— House Speaker Daniel Perez, on DeSantis’ lack of a clear property tax proposal.

— Put it on the Tab —

Look to your left, then look to your right. If you see one of these people at your happy hour haunt, flag down the bartender and put one of these on your tab. Recipes included, just in case the Cocktail Codex fell into the well.

Send an Heir to “proven conservative fighter” Blaise Ingoglia, who picked up endorsements from three former CFOs in his bid for a full term in the Cabinet position.

Lawmakers have been waiting for DeSantis to outline his property tax plan for more than a year now, but the Governor is still serving them the Great Silence.

Floridians finally see a dip in gas prices, only to be met with a higher jobless rate. An Up & Downer it is.

— Breakthrough Insights —

— Tune In —

Rays aim for first place

The Tampa Bay Rays open a three-game series against the Cincinnati Reds with a chance to join the New York Yankees atop the American League East standings (6:40 p.m. ET, Rays.TV).

Tampa Bay (12-9) sits a half-game behind the Yankees coming into today’s schedule. New York does not play tonight. The Rays have won seven of the last ten games, but dropped a 6-3 decision in the final game of a three-game series in Pittsburgh against the Pirates yesterday.

First baseman Yandy Diaz is off to a hot start for the Rays, hitting .337 through 21 games. Diaz is tied for the team lead with three home runs and 16 runs batted in. On the mound, Nick Martinez and Steven Matz have been standouts for the Rays. Martinez has not earned a victory this season but has allowed just six earned runs in 22 innings for a 2.45 earned run average. Martinez has struck out 14 batters this season.

Matz has won all three decisions this season while striking out nearly a batter per inning. Matz is scheduled to pitch tomorrow, with Martinez expected to start on Wednesday.

Cincinnati (14-8) leads the National League Central by half a game over the St. Louis Cardinals. The Reds are coming off a three-game sweep of the Twins in Minnesota.

___

Last Call is published by Peter Schorsch, assembled and edited by Phil Ammann and Drew Wilson, with contributions from the staff of Florida Politics.