Politics
Here are the Top 10 political stories from South Florida in 2025
If last year was a big year for South Florida politics on the national and international stage — and it most certainly was — 2025 didn’t slow things down.
Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties attracted attention from across the state, country and globe. Some were of the good variety. Others… Not so much.
Cutting the list of the year’s most important stories to a definitive “Top 10” wasn’t easy, nor was it scientific. Many headline-grabbers didn’t make the cut, from fallout over the state’s affordable housing and condo safety reforms to Miami-Dade’s removal of fluoride from its drinking water and LGBTQ advocates and officials’ outrage over the removal of rainbow street designs.
Hollywood Sen. Jason Pizzo, thought by many to be a likely Democratic Primary frontrunner for Governor, dramatically quit the party, declaring it “dead” — an arguable exaggeration, based on recent events.
Former Miami-Dade Commissioner Joe Martinez and ex-Jackson Health System executive Charmaine Gatlin were both sentenced to years in prison for using their offices for personal gain (Martinez is appealing).
Gary Farmer, a former state Senator, was forced from the Broward Court bench following complaints of judicial misconduct. CFO Blaise Ingoglia’s DOGE tour landed a 1-2-3 combo, declaring all three counties and some of their municipalities fiscally irresponsible.
And throughout the year, the Rep. Fabián Basabe show continued, with the sophomore lawmaker successfully pursuing the firing of a Town Attorney and an audit of Miami Beach, both of which drew rebukes from local officials and media but didn’t deter endorsers from both sides of the aisle from getting behind his re-election effort.
None of those stories made the list. We believe the stories that did spotlight the especially high (and low) points of the year.
10. Mayor’s effort to evict a theater over a pro-Palestine film draws sharp criticism
Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner learned the hard way that censorship is counterintuitive to engendering support.
In March, he moved to terminate the city’s lease and grant funding for O Cinema after the independent theater screened “No Other Land,” an Oscar-winning, strongly pro-Palestine documentary about the Israel-Palestine conflict.
Meiner, who is Jewish, labeled the film as a “one-sided propaganda attack on the Jewish people” inconsistent with the values of Miami Beach, which has a large Jewish population. The issue quickly attracted widespread attention, with the New York Times, NPR, BBC, Times of Israel, Guardian and other outlets seizing on the story.
O Cinema CEO Vivian Marthell admitted she’d initially agreed not to screen the film under pressure from Meiner, but reversed course after consulting with staff and the nonprofit’s Board, citing free speech principles.
At a contentious City Commission meeting later that month that drew a large crowd of protesters, an emotional Meiner withdrew his proposal after five of his six peers on the dais said they’d oppose it, promising to instead explore ways to encourage broader dialogue without dictating content.
The issue wounded Meiner’s standing in the city, but not fatally; he won re-election to a second term in November with just over 51% of the vote.
9. Rest in peace: South Florida loses notable figures
South Florida bid farewell to several influential political figures in 2025 who served in both elected and unelected capacities.
Former U.S. Rep. Lincoln Díaz-Balart, a towering leader in Florida and Cuban American politics, died at 70. He served for 8 years in the Florida Legislature and 18 years in Congress, where he championed human rights, immigration protections and a free Cuba. He also co-founded the Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute and authored landmark measures, including the Nicaraguan Adjustment and Central American Relief Act.
Rep. Joe Casello, an ex-firefighter who represented parts of Palm Beach County, died at 73. First elected in 2018, he was widely respected for his quiet leadership and strong constituent services. His legislative legacy includes helping to establish Florida’s Purple Alert system for missing adults with cognitive difficulties.
Miami Commissioner Manolo Reyes, who ran for the City Commission five times before winning his seat in 2017, died at 80 just six months after winning re-election. He was known for his integrity, compassion and dedication to District 4.
Former Rep. Roy Hardemon, a blunt, neighborhood-first lawmaker and lifelong Liberty City advocate, died at 63. He served one term in the House, where he sought funding for youth and senior services, public health and community infrastructure. After leaving office, he remained active in local advocacy and ran several times to regain his old post.
G. Holmes Braddock, a longtime Miami-Dade School Board member, died at 100. He served 38 years, shaping desegregation, bilingual education and student involvement initiatives, leaving a lasting legacy in local public education.
Daniel Liftman, a longtime aide to late U.S. Rep. Alcee Hastings known for his quiet dedication and principled voice, died at 73 after devoting more than three decades to constituent service and political advocacy.
Seth Gordon, a Miami publicist and lobbyist who shaped political campaigns, championed culture and creativity, and helped fund the New World School of the Arts, died at 77.
8. DeSantis continues to exert his influence on South Florida
Former U.S. House Speaker Tip O’Neill famously averred, “All politics is local.” You can’t accuse Gov. Ron DeSantis of not acting on that maxim.
Over the years, the Governor has reshaped Florida in his ideological image, and he’s certainly paid attention to its most populous region.
In 2025, DeSantis appointed former state Rep. Mike Caruso to serve as Palm Beach County Clerk and added ally Adam Cervera to the Broward County School Board. The Broward College Board of Trustees, all there by way of DeSantis appointments, confirmed Torey Alston — whom the Governor previously placed on the Broward County Commission and School Board — to serve as the school’s new President.
DeSantis appointed a slew of Judges across the tri-county area and named Board members at the Children’s Trust of Miami-Dade, North Broward Hospital District and Memorial Healthcare System.
He also picked Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Executive Director Dave Kerner and repeat appointees Tracy Caruso and Michael Barnett to serve on the Palm Beach State College Board.
In mid-June, the Florida International University Board, whose membership is mostly influenced directly or indirectly by DeSantis, unanimously confirmed his former Lieutenant Governor, Jeanette Nuñez, as the school’s seventh President.
Then on Sept. 11, he added two more members, former state Rep. José Félix Díaz and decorated homicide detective Juan Segovia, to the Miami Dade College Board. Less than two weeks later, the Board — composed entirely of DeSantis appointees — participated in a vote that grabbed national headlines and attracted a lawsuit.
More on that at No. 6.
7. Miami-Dade’s active voter count flips red for the first time
If the November 2024 election was a seismic, rightward shift for Miami-Dade, a May update to the county’s voter rolls was the aftershock.
It marked the first time that, among active Miami-Dade voters, Republicans outnumbered Democrats. “Miami-Dade is Red!” declared Florida GOP Chair Evan Power. “Nobody would have predicted this 10 years ago,” DeSantis wrote on X.
At the time, the county had 449,337 active Republican voters, 414,680 active Democrats and 417,144 active voters registered as belonging to a third or no party (NPA).
The GOP’s lead has continued to grow since. Through Dec. 1, both major parties saw voter falloffs, but the difference was startling. While Republicans shed just 537 voters (an interesting numerical coincidence), Democrats lost more than 13.5 times as many (7,298).
The lost voters didn’t all switch to NPA; that group saw just a 2,521-voter uptick.
Notably, Democrats may still have more actual registered voters than Republicans — they did in May, as Florida Politics pointed out — but the state only counts active voters, which better represents the true voting power each party has in a given jurisdiction.
6. Miami Dade College gives away prime public land for a future Trump library
The groundwork for a Donald Trump presidential library was laid in Spring 2025 and solidified in June, when DeSantis signed legislation stripping local governments of authority over presidential libraries. By September, Miami — not Trump’s home city of Palm Beach — was targeted for the facility’s construction.
And later that month, the Miami Dade College Board of Trustees voted quietly and unanimously to give up a 2.63-acre waterfront parcel off Biscayne Boulevard valued at more than $67 million for the project. The Florida Cabinet then swiftly signed off on the giveaway.
The backlash was immediate. Retired professor and local historian Marvin Dunn sued, arguing the college Board violated Florida’s Sunshine Law by rushing its vote without proper public notice. Circuit Judge Mavel Ruiz agreed, temporarily blocking the transfer and scheduling a trial for August 2026. Attorney General James Uthmeier then stepped in to defend the college.
But that trial won’t come. The Board held a redo vote Dec. 2 and, after hours of public testimony, reached the same decision. Ruiz dismissed Dunn’s complaint just over two weeks later, ruling that any notice violations had been cured. Dunn said he’s filing a second lawsuit soon.
Though legally sufficient now, the land transfer remains unpopular. Polling from October found that only 14% of Miami-Dade voters approve of the move, while a whopping 74% believe the parcel should remain with the college for future expansions.
5. Under Daniel Perez, the Florida House regrows its backbone
Perez, a Miami Republican, hit the ground running when he took the gavel last November, reshaping the House committee apparatus, overhauling the chamber’s website and revamping many of its rules.
He promised, during a brief confirmation speech, to refocus the House on delivering more for Floridians than for corporate and special interest groups. It would also tamp down on government spending, he said, including the Governor’s use of state funds for political messaging.
With support from House leaders and lawmakers, Perez then set about delivering on that promise and, in the process, threw off DeSantis’ game like none before him. It started with a rejection of the Governor’s January call for a Special Session on illegal immigration, which Perez and Senate President Ben Albritton substituted with one of their own that better aligned with Trump’s dictates.
After DeSantis publicly fumed at the House for overriding his vetoes, advancing tort bills he opposed and eschewing his budget and tax proposals, Perez called the Governor “emotional” and prone to “temper tantrums” while stressing, “I consider him a friend. I consider him a partner.”
When questions arose about the Governor and his inner circle’s role in rerouting $10 million in Medicaid settlement dollars through First Lady Casey DeSantis’ Hope Florida charity to fund ads attacking proposed abortion and cannabis amendments, Perez called for answers and tasked state Rep. Alex Andrade with getting them.
That initial effort ended abruptly in April, though Perez said “all options are still on the table” and the issue has since sprouted an ongoing grand jury probe.
Since then, the Speaker has led the chamber in tackling several top-of-mind matters, including working on Trump’s call for mid-decade redistricting and multiple property tax reform proposals the Governor unsurprisingly dislikes.
Miami-Dade has produced three House Speakers this century — Marco Rubio from 2006 to 2008, José Oliva from 2018 to 2020 and now Perez. A fourth is coming in 2030; freshman Rep. Mike Redondo clinched the spot in July.
4. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick indicted for stealing vaccine money
Cherfilus-McCormick, a Miramar Democrat representing Florida’s 20th Congressional District, has been dogged for years by accusations that she misappropriated funds her former health care company received to register people for COVID vaccinations, using the money to instead finance her 2022 election.
She has denied the allegations through a persistent House Ethics Committee probe, which was reauthorized in July. Now, she’ll defend herself against the accusations in a criminal case.
On Nov. 19, a federal grand jury indicted Cherfilus-McCormick on charges that she stole $5 million in COVID-related overpayments and rerouted them to her campaign. The Justice Department is prosecuting the case, which the Miami offices of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Internal Revenue Service are investigating.
If found guilty on all counts, the 46-year-old lawmaker — who made history as the first Haitian American Democrat elected to Congress — could face up to 53 years in prison.
For her part, Cherfilus-McCormick hasn’t let on publicly that recent developments have shaken her much, despite her swift removal from a committee leadership post and calls for her resignation.
She’s even fundraised off the issue, telling voters by text that she needs help “fighting back” against a “politically motivated” attack against her.
In a cheeky bit of one-upsmanship, one of her Primary challengers, Elijah Manley — whom she’s suing for defamation for accusing her of generally the same misdeeds detailed in the indictment — is fundraising off of her fundraising.
3. Alligator Alcatraz stirs controversy, immigration debate
When Trump retook the White House in January, it was a foregone conclusion that immigration enforcement would be a major pillar of his administration’s agenda. And based on DeSantis’ past actions on the issue, including the controversial migrant flights program he launched under ex-President Joe Biden, many were confident Florida would play an outsized role in that effort.
It sure has, and to a marketable degree. In just weeks in June, the state seized what was previously a Miami-Dade training airport in the Everglades, erecting a makeshift detention center composed of tents, portable toilets, fencing and generators.
Uthmeier dubbed the facility, completed through more than $200 million in no-bid contracts, “Alligator Alcatraz.” And the name stuck — not only in people’s minds, but on shirts, hats and other MAGA merch.
In the weeks and months that followed, Alligator Alcatraz welcomed thousands of detainees, drew widespread and ongoing protests, and spurred inquiries by Democratic members of Congress. It also attracted numerous lawsuits from environmental groups, civil liberties organizations and the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians, which decried, respectively, the facility’s environmental impacts, treatment of detainees and misuse of ancestral land.
It also inspired copycat facilities in Indiana and Nebraska, which the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) dubbed the “Speedway Slammer” and “Cornhusker Clink.”
Legal challenges this year briefly cast doubt on Alligator Alcatraz’s future. One environmental suit led a Judge to order the facility to wind down and stop admitting new detainees, but an appellate court stayed that order, keeping it open.
A federal Judge rejected a separate detainee suit this month, ruling that the legal standard for immediate closure had not been met. Other, similar suits — including ones over access to lawyers — are ongoing.
As for the ongoing price tag of the operation, which includes an estimated $450 million needed yearly to keep things running, Florida got a boost just before the government shutdown, when DHS sent $608 million to cover costs.
Some of those funds may go to a second detainment center, dubbed the “Deportation Depot,” which opened just outside of Jacksonville in September.
2. Eileen Higgins shatters glass ceiling in bellwether race
Polling ahead of Election Day showed Higgins was on track to win. National Democrats poured into the area to bolster her support and energize voters. Further helping her odds was a growing disdain for the harsh treatment of immigrants, many of whom call Miami home, and rising unaffordability in the “Magic City” that she’d expressly made a top issue during her campaign and prior tenure on the Miami-Dade Commission.
But history wasn’t on her side — until it was. Higgins’ victory last month over former City Manager Emilio González marked the first time ever that Miami voters elected a woman as Mayor. She’s also the first Democrat to capture the office in nearly 30 years.
It was a massive accomplishment in a race that many viewed as a bellwether for the 2026 Midterm, and top figures from both political parties treated it as such.
Trump, DeSantis, U.S. Sen. Rick Scott, U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds and a slew of other GOP pols and groups got behind González, who outraised and outspent Higgins ahead of Election Day.
But it was to no avail. Higgins — who enjoyed support from U.S. Reps. Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Frederica Wilson, Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, former U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and many more state and local officials — trounced him by 19 points.
Miami voters also said “no thanks” to perpetuating a few political dynasties this year. In June, they picked Ralph Rosado over fellow Republican Jose Regalado, the son of former Mayor Tomás Regalado — now Miami-Dade’s Property Appraiser — and sister of Miami-Dade Commissioner Raquel Regalado.
Then in November, voters rejected mayoral candidates Joe Carollo and Alex Díaz de la Portilla — both former City Commissioners with families boasting decades in Miami politics — and picked newcomer Rolando Escalona over Joe’s brother, Frank, in a race for the Commission’s District 1 seat.
Higgins’ win wasn’t the only history-maker this year. In Miami Beach, Democratic Commissioner Alex Fernandez scored a record-setting victory by taking 84% of the vote against a GOP challenger. Bryan Calvo, a Republican, also became the youngest person ever elected Mayor of Hialeah. And in the Special Election for House District 90 in Palm Beach County, Democrat Rob Long won by more than 27 points, the largest margin of victory there since redistricting.
1. South Florida sees unprecedented representation in D.C.
Trump became America’s first President from Florida when he took office in January. He’d served his first term while still registered to vote in New York. But in 2019, while mounting a comeback campaign, he changed his registration to the Sunshine State. And since he regained control of the White House, he’s remade its halls, walls and offices in his image.
He’s done the same for Washington, D.C., and its many national and international extensions.
Accordingly, a sizable share of key Washington figures are from South Florida. By our count, more than a dozen top Trump administration figures are from or live in the area.
From Miami-Dade, there’s Secretary of State Marco Rubio, U.S. Marshals Service Director Gadyaces Serralta, Under Secretary of State Jacob Helberg and Under Secretary of Defense Emil Michael.
From Palm Beach, there’s Deputy Secretary of Labor Keith Sonderling, Federal Housing Agency Director Bill Pulte, Under Secretary of State Thomas DiNanno, Under Secretary of Defense Anthony Tata, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, Federal Procurement Policy Administrator Kevin Rhodes and Deputy Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security Sara Perkins.
Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, a Biden appointee, grew up and graduated from high school in Miami.
Many of America’s diplomats are from South Florida, too. From Miami-Dade, Trump tapped former County Commissioner Kevin Marino Cabrera for Panama, health care entrepreneur Benjamín León Jr. for Spain, Howard Brodie for Finland and Michael Kavoukjian for Norway.
He also chose Palm Beach’s John Arrigo, Duke Buchanan III, Sergio Gor, Kimberly Guilfoyle, Michael Issa, Lee Lipton, Nicole McGraw, Roman Pipko and Anjani Sinha to represent U.S. interests in Portugal, Morocco, India, Greece, Lebanon, the Philippines, Croatia, Estonia and Singapore, respectively.
Florida’s growing government and lobbying power in Washington was the focus of Florida Politics’ final issue of INFLUENCE this year, and for good reason; it’s unprecedented and represents a shifting political landscape that increasingly looks to our state for direction.
And with Trump in the Oval Office, Perez as Florida House Speaker, Rubio as Secretary of State and a host of other South Floridians calling shots, South Florida’s influence factors heavily into where America will go next.
Good Sunday morning, and welcome back to “Brunch,” a pop-up newsletter about the 2026 Legislative Session and more.
We’re at Atlantis celebrating our 14th wedding anniversary AND the 18th birthday of Stephanie Smith’s niece.
I was 2-for-2 yesterday at the Atlantis Sportsbook, although I fear my Denver Broncos (we love former UCF RB R.J. Harvey) won’t advance next week after losing QB Bo Nix to an ankle injury. I really like the Texans’ chances of pulling off an upset over the Pats today. And I’ll take the Rams over the Bears. The Texans and Rams were my Week 14 Super Bowl pick, so I’m probably wishcasting for them to win today to keep alive the hope of that bet hitting.
And a top-of-Brunch happy birthday to former Speaker Larry Cretul.
If you’re looking for something to listen to on your next bike ride, check out the podcast I did with my former colleague Ryan Ray. Let’s just say that I did not hold back. Listen here.
Check out our choices for the Winner and Loser of the Week in Florida Politics by clicking here.
Now, please enjoy Brunch.
— Extra! Extra! —
After receiving such positive feedback about the first edition of IN SESSION, our newspaper covering the Legislative Session, we plan to deliver at least two more editions. The next edition will hit the week of Feb. 9, headlined by an interview with Sen. Jim Boyd. It will also include several Valentine’s Day features.
— To advertise in this edition, you’ll need to reserve space by Jan. 26 and provide creative by Feb. 2. Right now, and through Tuesday morning, we are offering a discounted price of $800 for a full-page ad (instead of $1K) and $600 for a half-page ad (instead of $750).
— If you wish to advertise, email me at [email protected]. Also, if you previously purchased an ad for the second edition, remind me and resend your creative.
— MLK Day rundown —
Communities statewide are gearing up for Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday. Major cities will host parades, marches and celebrations to honor Dr. King’s legacy.
— Jacksonville: The 45th Annual MLK Holiday Grand Parade will take place Monday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. downtown. The community parade will showcase marching bands and civic groups celebrating King’s vision.
— Fort Lauderdale: The city’s King Holiday Parade and Festival begins early, at 9:30 a.m. The march departs from Sistrunk Boulevard & NW 5th Avenue and proceeds west to Carter Park. The park will then host a multicultural festival.
— Miami: The 49th Annual MLK Parade kicks off at 11 a.m. in Liberty City along NW 54th Street. It features marching bands, drill teams, elected officials and community groups. The route ends at MLK Memorial Park with the MLK Family Festival running from 12-5 p.m. Following the parade, families can enjoy live music, dance performances and food vendors.
— Tampa: The city’s MLK Day Parade begins at noon at Cuscaden Park. The 2026 parade will feature the Edward Waters University Triple Threat Marching Band. Monday evening at 7:30, the Straz Center will host an MLK Commemoration. This evening’s ceremony will include gospel music, dancing, and readings of Dr. King’s writings and other works.
— St. Petersburg: Its MLK Parade will run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. downtown from 3rd Street South to 16th Street North. The annual parade highlights Dr. King’s legacy with marching bands, floats and more.
— Pensacola: The city’s 37th Annual MLK Parade will start downtown at the corner of Spring & Garden Streets at 11 a.m. The theme this year is “With Unity, We Won’t Turn Back.”
— Gainesville: At noon, the MLK National Holiday Parade will begin at the MLK Memorial Gardens. At 1 p.m., a free celebration at the MLK Multipurpose Center will feature marching bands, floats and dance groups. City-sponsored shuttle buses will be available for the event.
— Tallahassee: The Capital City will begin its MLK Day Parade at noon. The parade runs along Monroe Street from Tennessee Street, heading south. The event will be followed by a free festival on Adams Street from 1-4 p.m., featuring guest speakers and live music. A Day of Dialogue event will also take place from 1:30-3 p.m. on the second floor of the City Commission Chambers.
— Proper property priority —
A new poll from the Florida Policy Institute (FPI) suggests voters want lawmakers to focus more on property insurance relief than on cutting property taxes as the 2026 Session gets underway.
— By the numbers: Sixty-three percent of voters said insurance relief should be the higher priority — including majorities of Democrats, Republicans and independents — compared with 32% who favored property tax relief.
— Tax cut caution: Nearly half of voters oppose eliminating non-school property taxes on homesteads, once told it could force local governments to cut services or raise other taxes.
— Legislative backdrop: The findings land as lawmakers weigh multiple property tax proposals, including joint resolutions that would need 60% voter approval to pass in November.
— Alternate routes: “There are better ways to address Florida’s affordability crisis,” said Sadaf Knight, CEO of FPI. “For example, Florida could enact a Working Floridians Tax Rebate, a state-level version of the Earned Income Tax Credit, or a property tax circuit breaker program to provide a property tax rebate for people with low to moderate income.”
The takeaway is that while affordability remains top of mind, voters appear wary of sweeping tax changes that could come with trade-offs for local services.
— Easter egg —
The Legislative Session is underway. Our state leaders did not disappoint. So many dog whistles blown in the first week — from the infamous handshake snub to passive-aggressive references in Session speeches. The chattering class had plenty to chat about. But there is one orange Easter egg that I bet most of you missed. In typical Florida Politics fashion, let me enlighten you.
— Day One moment: Did anyone watch the remarks of the House Budget Chair Lawrence McClure on Day One? He closed on a significant bill for the President of the Senate, Ben Albritton. It’s a bill that tilts the scales in favor of the phosphate industry against trial lawyers. And for those following along, the largest phosphate company is located right in the heart of Albritton’s district.
— Last year’s loss: Last year, the bill died, normally a rare event for a presidential priority. McClure gave a “not so subtle” explanation for the bill’s death. While doing so, he held an orange — a great big bright Florida orange in his hand.
— Read between the peels: McClure would not and will not say why he held it, so it is left to us political observers to peel it back.
— Power reminder: I say McClure held the orange as a way to remind Albritton that he and he alone is the President of the Senate. Yes, there is the ecumenical, team-sport, counsel-of-war-lords, “every Senator has an equal voice” rhetoric that is quintessential to the Senate vibe. However, the rhetoric must be balanced with the reality that there is only one Senate President. Leadership matters. Bucks stop with presiding officers. The orange is a reminder that every presiding officer gets to make their mark — and Albritton needs to make his.
At the end of the day, only one portrait will be hung in the Chamber. The President likes to quote Bible verses. It is one of the endearing things about him. Esther 4:14 says, “Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Color me crazy, but I think that is the message of the McClure orange.
— Road warriors —
President Donald J. Trump Boulevard is now a reality, after a dedication of the thoroughfare on Friday in West Palm Beach, completing a priority of Florida Republicans in his adopted hometown.
— Background: The Legislature passed the bill last year. Per the law, the “portion of Southern Boulevard between Kirk Road and S. Ocean Boulevard in Palm Beach County is designated as President Donald J. Trump Boulevard.” Palm Beach Republican Rep. Meg Weinberger said last year that the “honor reflects the sentiments of my fellow Floridians who appreciate his dedication to our state and country” and that she was “proud that he will be memorialized forever on the eastern part of Southern Boulevard.” This is the second road to be named after Trump in recent years. In Hialeah, Palm Avenue was renamed Donald J. Trump Avenue in 2024.
— The unveiling: At Mar-a-Lago on Friday, Trump and Weinberger unveiled what the President called a “serious sign,” with remarks that included the President’s trademark humor. He said that staffers told him, “Sir, there’s a wedding here, can you move it quickly?” He responded, “No, I’m not moving this quickly.”
— The honor: “I’m tremendously honored that the main boulevard from Palm Beach International Airport to the beautiful Mar-a-Lago is being renamed in my honor… I love the people of Florida… I’ll remember this amazing gesture for the rest of my life,” Trump said at the event, per the Rapid Response 47 account on X.
— What Florida Pols are saying: “An incredible privilege today to stand alongside my colleagues — including bill sponsor (Weinberger) — to honor our President, who has reshaped the world by prioritizing peace and reinvigorated the American Spirit by fighting for common sense,” said House Speaker Daniel Perez. Meanwhile, Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson said, “What an honor to be with President Trump today to celebrate the newly-minted President Donald J. Trump Boulevard!”
— New year, new Carlos —
Democratic Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith doesn’t often find himself aligned with Senate Republicans on criminal justice issues. Still, during a Senate Criminal Justice Committee meeting this week, he leaned into the calendar.
— After flagging concerns with a bill, Smith ultimately voted in favor, joking that it’s 2026 and he’s embracing a fresh approach.
— “New year means also new Carlos,” Smith said, drawing laughs in the room.
— Smith, who serves as Vice Chair of the Committee, also presided over part of the meeting and appeared to enjoy the moment, cracking wise as he called up legislation sponsored by Sen. Kristen Arrington.
— “I actually now am in charge of this Committee, apparently. Happy new year. New year, new Carlos,” he said.
— Foodie Frolics —
The Senate’s beloved Foodie Frolic is back for the 2026 Session, bringing lawmakers another round of good eats with a side of workforce training.
— On the menu: Culinary students from across the state will once again take center stage, showcasing skills honed through career and technical education programs tied to real-world jobs, from classic fine dining to contemporary cuisine.
— This year’s twist: Several events will spotlight the Feeding Florida network and its Farmers Feeding Florida partnership, blending culinary training with the fight against food insecurity.
— Dates to know: The Senate Portico will host a full slate of luncheons and receptions from the start of Session through Feb. 25, the last of which includes a special recognition lunch honoring Senate spouses.
Senate families got a taste of the action on Opening Day, when Feeding South Florida and the Treasure Coast Food Bank hosted the kickoff luncheon.
— The week ahead —
Here’s what’s on tap around the Capitol this week as advocacy groups, lawmakers, and lobbyists settle into the rhythm of Session.
— Tuesday: YMCA Advocacy Days kick off the week, bringing YMCA leaders, youth advocates, and volunteers from across the state to Tallahassee to talk child safety, literacy, and youth development with lawmakers. After hours, some legislators and staffers will trade policy talk for hockey as the Lightning Caucus gathers to watch the Tampa Bay Lightning take on the San Jose Sharks.
— Wednesday: It’s a packed house at the Capitol, led by Florida State University Day at the Capitol, with students, faculty, alums, and administrators filling the Rotunda to showcase campus programs and priorities. Displays will be on the 2nd and 3rd Floor Rotundas from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with lunch and entertainment slated for the Capitol courtyard from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
—Also on Wednesday: It’s the Florida Cattlemen’s Association Boots on the Hill event put on by FCA and the United Dairy Farmers of Florida. The reception runs from 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. in the Florida Historic Capitol Museum. Tourism leaders will also be out in force for Florida Tourism Day, while county officials fan out for the Florida Association of Counties Legislative Day.
— Thursday: Advocacy turns to seniors on AARP Day at the Capitol, highlighting issues important to Floridians 50-plus.
— Friday: The week wraps with the HurriGains 5K Glow Run, a nighttime, glow-in-the-dark 5Kthat will benefit the Florida Disaster Foundation. On-site registration is $35; pre-registration is $25 and is available online.
— GOP edge —
As the election year begins, a new Florida Chamber poll shows Republicans maintaining a statewide advantage similar to the margins seen in 2022 and 2024.
— Generic ballot: The survey found that 49% of voters say they will support a Republican candidate in November, compared with 41% backing a generic Democrat.
— Key blocs: Republicans currently lead among no-party voters 42% to 38%, and hold a sizable edge with Hispanic voters, 52% to 39%.
The numbers suggest the GOP enters the cycle with familiar structural advantages, even as both parties gear up for a high-stakes election year.
— Bigfooting the Primary —
Most of the speculation following U.S. Rep. Neal Dunn’s retirement has surrounded the Republican field in Florida’s 2nd Congressional District. But just a decade ago, a Democrat represented CD 2. Will Gwen Graham run again?
— Potentially: Florida Politics reached out to the ex-Congresswoman. Her quick message back? “I’m thinking about it.”
— Could she win? Granted, Florida doesn’t look the same as when she unseated Republican U.S. Rep. Steve Southerland in 2014. But her victory came in that cycle despite a national red wave, and forecasters predict a blue wave in November. Plus, the well-wishes after the death of her father, former Gov. Bob Graham, in 2024 show people still hold warm feelings.
— Crowded field: Already, three Democrats were campaigning to unseat Dunn. The rumor mill suggests other Democrats may enter a race for an open seat, such as former U.S. Rep. Al Lawson and former state Sen. Loranne Ausley.
— What could have been: Graham brings history, especially from a 2018 run for Governor recalled by Democrats as a historical what-coulda-been. After Andrew Gillum’s surprise Democratic Primary win over Graham, the progressive lost to Republican Ron DeSantis by under 33,000 votes. Had moderate Graham advanced, it may have detoured Florida’s rightward swing.
— Continuing teasing: Graham ended the week with a post stressing her history of victory. “I love our country and our state, and I know one thing for certain: More than ever, Washington needs The North Florida Way.”
— Ice breaker —
The Republican Party of Florida is inviting donors to mix politics and hockey with a fundraiser tied to the NHL Stadium Series coming to Tampa.
— Game night: The event centers on the Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Boston Bruins matchup at Raymond James Stadium on Feb. 1, with puck drop set for 6:30 p.m.
— Big names: Attorney General James Uthmeier, Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia and Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson are listed as special guests.
The pitch leans on a rare Florida hockey spectacle, pairing an outdoor NHL game with a GOP fundraising push ahead of the 2026 Elections.
— Apalachicola Bay reopens —
For the first time since 2020, Apalachicola Bay is reopening for oyster harvest, with a limited 2026 season running now through Feb. 28.
— Why now? State officials cite years of oyster reef restoration and a revised management plan approved by the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission that links harvest levels to current oyster abundance.
— By the numbers: Commercial Apalachicola Bay Endorsement holders will divide roughly 4,700 bags this season, while recreational permit holders are limited to one bag for the entire opening.
— Long road back: The bay faced a fishery collapse in 2013, followed by multiple emergency orders and a five-year shutdown designed to give depleted reefs time to recover.
— State investment: Since 2019, more than $38 million has gone toward restoration projects and monitoring efforts led by FWC and environmental partners.
It’s a milestone moment for the Panhandle, where Apalachicola oysters once powered a name-brand industry that accounted for the vast majority of Florida’s commercial oyster landings.
— Title shot —
The Miami Hurricanes will play for college football’s national championship for the first time since 2001 when they face Indiana (7:30 p.m. ET, Jan. 19, ABC).
— Semifinal finish: The Hurricanes advanced with a thrilling 31-27 national semifinal win over Ole Miss on Thursday. Quarterback Carson Beck’s three-yard touchdown run with 18 seconds left provided the final margin.
— Playoff path: Miami nearly missed the College Football Playoff but got in as the No. 10 seed. The Hurricanes defeated Texas A&M in the first round, then upset second-seed Ohio State in the quarterfinals.
— Home stage: Miami will have the opportunity to celebrate a championship at home. The CFP title game is scheduled for Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, the Canes’ home stadium.
This is the second year of the expanded 12-team playoff. Last season, Ohio State won the crown as an eighth seed.
— Brunching Out —
Hayward House, located steps from the Capitol, has added an elegant new delicacy to its menu: caviar.
— Backstory: Ashley Chaney, owner of the downtown restaurant, is a lover of caviar. “I seek it out,” Chaney said. After discovering high-quality caviar from award-winning chef Thomas Keller while on vacation, she aimed to serve it at Hayward House. After about a year of talks and working out details, Keller’s brand, Regiis Ova, is now available at the restaurant. The brand sources its caviar from sturgeon farms in California and from around the world.
— The caviar: Hayward House offers caviar in a few ways. Caviar snacks are a shareable treat. The French onion dip, made with caramelized onion cream and chives, surrounded by housemade kettle chips, features a topping of 10 grams of Regiis Classic Caviar for $27. On the trio of deviled eggs, each half is finished with caviar for $22. With the Caviar Bump, the diner savors a 5-gram serving ($20) that you can eat off your hand (much like licking salt off your hand with a margarita). The caviar star is the Golden Ossetra Caviar, known for its nutty flavor and buttery finish, presented in a classic style with blinis, crème fraiche, chives and shallots ($175 and shareable for a party of eight or 10). The caviar, with the Bump and classic service, is served with a mother-of-pearl spoon (a silver or metal spoon can alter the taste).
— Beverages: The full bar serves wine (by the glass/bottle), beer (with local choices) and fun cocktails such as a Tupelo Old Fashioned, Old Money and a Hot Honey Margarita.
— Details: Hayward House, 228 S. Adams St., 850-825-7081. Open 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday to Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. (brunch to 4 p.m.) Saturday, 10 to 4 p.m. Sunday brunch. Happy hour is 3-6 p.m. from Monday-Friday.
— Brunching Out, part deux —
The new home of Deep Brewing Company & Kitchen has made a big splash in Tallahassee’s hospitality scene. Aside from its own small-batch ales and lagers, Deep is becoming known for its creative fare at brunch, lunch and dinner.
— Backstory: Ryan LaPete founded Deep at Cathay Court in 2015, following his passion for homegrown brewing. The nautical theme reflects another significant part of LaPete’s life, that of a commercial and scientific diver. LaPete opened the new Deep in September 2025, across the street from his old location, joining forces with Justin Cruz (the founder of Tally Mac Shack, SlideHustle and Vato Tacos) and chef Jeremy Dancer (formerly of Kool Beanz Cafe).
— Setting: Deep is a gleaming, 5,000-square-foot venue with high ceilings, nearly framed in glass, allowing plenty of natural light. The setting is accented with colorful tiles and copper and brass items reflecting LaPete’s love of the sea. The 50-foot concrete bar was hand-poured and finished by LaPete’s father, Frank, and Cruz. There are plenty of TVs and outdoor picnic tables.
— The menu: The restaurant’s 6-foot, wood-fired grill is the star in the kitchen. Cruz touts the flavor of dishes passing over or through the burning oak and fruitwood. The menu continues to evolve, so please check for updates. A brunch highlight on our visits: juicy, tender pork chops, served with eggs and wonderfully crisp spuds. Other dishes include Mississippi Delta fried catfish, biscuits and gravy and a breakfast platter with a pillowy biscuit, eggs (cooked your way) and those potatoes. Also, look for homemade doughnuts. Check out the dinner menu as well with items such as brisket meatloaf, churrasco and a Cuban sandwich, with plans for steak, fish and chops. Another fun attraction: Wing Wednesday.
— Beverages: Deep’s brewery lineup includes Reef Dweller, Spear Pressure, Profundo (a Mexican lager with lime) and Sublime Keylime. Deep offers seasonal stouts, IPAs, wine, craft cocktails and non-alcoholic options.
— Details: Deep Brewing Company, 2855 Pablo Ave.; 850-567-0295. The restaurant is open at 7 a.m. Wednesday to Friday, and at 9 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The restaurant closes at 9 p.m. on Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday and at 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
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