Politics
Last Call for 11.17.25 – 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
The Florida Democratic Party is adding four more candidates to its “Take Back Local” program as several municipal races head into December runoffs.
Party leaders say the slate represents an effort to regain ground in local government after years of GOP control across much of the state. FDP Chair Nikki Fried said the party is investing in fieldwork — including phone banking and door-knocking — to boost turnout in low-profile, late-year elections.
The list includes Eileen Higgins, who is seeking to become the first female Mayor of Miami and the first Democrat to lead the city in nearly 30 years. She advanced to a Dec. 9 runoff after a crowded first round of voting.
“The Take Back Local program is our way of investing in candidates who reflect the values and priorities of their communities,” Fried said in a statement. She added that voters are “tired of the chaos” and looking for leaders focused on practical problem-solving.
Runoff dates vary by city. Matthew Crowley is competing in Winter Haven’s District 4 race on Dec. 2. Monica Matteo-Salinas and Higgins will appear on Miami Beach and City of Miami ballots, respectively, on Dec. 9. Chris Dzadovsky is in a Jan. 13 runoff for a Fort Pierce City Commission seat.
The program is one of the party’s key local efforts heading into 2026, when Democrats hope to rebuild voter infrastructure and reverse a series of down-ballot losses. The runoffs offer the party an early test of whether that groundwork can translate into wins.
Evening Reads
—“As Donald Trump looks for distraction on Jeffrey Epstein, Justice Dept. rushes to his aid” via Glenn Thrush of The New York Times
—”Trump just TOTALLY flip-flopped on Epstein” via Chris Cillizza of So What
—“Run, Susie, run” via Rick Wilson of Against All Enemies
—”A taco shop raid splits an Ohio town in red America” via Cameron McWhirter and Ruth Simon of The Wall Street Journal
—”There’s a curious trend dividing Latino Republicans” via Christian Paz of Vox
—”The war between MTG and Trump: how did we get here?” via Peter Wade of Rolling Stone
—”Fight over abortion could doom Congress’s health care plans” via Riley Beggin and Thedoric Meyer of The Washington Post
—”Jerry Demings says the Legislature’s attack on home rule ‘has to change’” via Mitch Perry of the Florida Phoenix
—”Bale Dalton says Florida needs to ‘send its best’ to Congress and dump Cory Mills” via Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics
—”The matcha problem” via Ellen Cushing of The Atlantic
Quote of the Day
“When Tallahassee preempts local governments from being able to make decisions for themselves, you’re at that point adversely impacting the will of the people, and that is something that has to change.”
— Gubernatorial candidate Jerry Demings, on home rule.
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.
Order a Derniere Minute for Emilio González, whose waffling led to the cancellation of a Miami Mayor candidate forum.
Send a Bon Voyage to Nadine Smith, who is stepping down as CEO of Equality Florida to lead the national racial justice group Color Of Change.
Attorney General James Uthmeier gets a Welcome Home for helping return 122 missing children in time for the holidays.
Breakthrough Insights
Panthers continue homestand
The Florida Panthers try to bounce back from a loss to their Florida rivals, the Tampa Bay Lightning, as the Panthers host the Vancouver Canucks tonight (7 p.m. ET, Scripps).
Florida (9-8-1, 19 pts) is sixth in the Atlantic Division, a point behind the Lightning in the division. It’s been an uneven start to the season. After opening the season with three straight wins, Florida has not won more than two consecutive games since.
No player on the Panthers ranks in the top 20 in the league in points. Left winger Brad Marchand is tied for 22nd with 21 points (12 goals and nine assists). The next most productive player is center Anton Lundell, who ranks tied for 67th in the league with 15 points (four goals, 11 assists).
Vancouver is also trying to gather momentum. The Canucks (9-9-2, 20 points) also sit in sixth in the Pacific Division and recently snapped a three-game losing streak with a 6-3 victory over the Lightning.
No Vancouver player has recorded more than 17 points this season, and the Canucks have used two goaltenders, Kevin Lankinen and Thatcher Demko, who are each within a game of .500.
After tonight’s game, the Panthers host the New Jersey Devils on Thursday in the fourth of five straight home games.
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Last Call is published by Peter Schorsch, assembled and edited by Phil Ammann and Drew Wilson, with contributions from the staff of Florida Politics.