Last Call for 12.30.25 – 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

Florida Politics rolled out its 2025 Politician of the Year package this week, spotlighting three figures who helped shape — and in some cases upend — the state’s political landscape over the past year.

Honorable Mention goes to U.S. Sen. Rick Scott, who enters 2026 wielding more influence in Washington and Tallahassee than at any point in his political career.

Fresh off his strongest electoral showing yet, the Naples Republican embedded himself with both Senate leadership and the conservative grassroots, becoming a key bridge between the House Freedom Caucus and the upper chamber.

Back home, Scott also played an unusually active role in Florida politics, endorsing Byron Donalds for Governor and weighing in on oversight fights involving Gov. Ron DeSantis — all while laying groundwork for a renewed push to remake the nation’s health care system.

The Runner-Up nod belongs to U.S. Rep.Donalds, whose march toward the Governor’s mansion looks increasingly inevitable. 

Armed with President Donald Trump’s endorsement, massive fundraising and commanding poll leads, the Naples Republican closes out 2025 as the dominant figure in Florida’s next statewide race.

While rivals have surfaced on both sides of the aisle, Donalds’ combination of MAGA credibility, establishment support and cable-ready presence has left the field scrambling — positioning him to potentially become Florida’s first Black Governor.

Claiming the top honor, Florida Politics names House Speaker Daniel Perez its 2025 Politician of the Year.

Though he was little-known outside political circles at the start of the year, the House Speaker fundamentally altered the balance of power in Tallahassee, ending years of near-total legislative deference to the Governor’s Office.

From budget veto overrides and aggressive oversight to redistricting and immigration showdowns, Perez reasserted the Legislature as a coequal branch — empowering rank-and-file lawmakers and reshaping the institution even as tensions with Gov. DeSantis and the Senate escalated. With nothing left to lose heading into 2026, Perez closes the year as the most consequential force in Florida government.

Evening Reads

—”Here are the Top 10 federal stories impacting Florida in 2025” via Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics

—”Here are the Top 10 political stories from South Florida in 2025” via Jesse Scheckner of Florida Politics

—“Here are the Top 10 political stories from Central Florida in 2025” via Gabrielle Russon of Florida Politics

—”Here are the Top 10 political stories from Tampa Bay in 2025” via Janelle Irwin Taylor of Florida Politics

—”Here are the Top 10 political stories from Southwest Florida in 2025” via Jesse Mendoza of Florida Politics

—”Here are the Top 10 political stories from Jacksonville in 2025” via A.G. Gancarski of Florida Politics

—”Here is the top political story from Citrus County in 2025” via Mike Wright of Florida Politics

Quote of the Day

“I’m not a big proponent of telling people what they can and can’t do on their land. … But you’re going to have to be regulated like heck to make sure that nothing on that property is going to adversely affect the residents of a community.”

— House Speaker-designate Sam Garrison, on AI ‘tension’ heading into the 2026 Legislative Session.

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.

There’s no need for Daniel Perez to wait until midnight tomorrow to pop the cork — Florida Politics’ Politician of the Year can have his champagne tonight.

Sen. Joe Gruters gets a set of mini cocktails for aiming a shrink ray at Citizens Property Insurance’s policy rolls. 

Send Rep. Wyman Duggan a Teacher’s Pet for filing a bill to give the Duval School Board more legal autonomy.

Breakthrough Insights

Tune In

Seminoles open conference play at Tar Heels

Florida State opens Atlantic Coast Conference play as it visits North Carolina tonight (7 p.m. ET, ESPN2). 

The Seminoles (7-6) were picked to finish 15th in the 18-team ACC. During the non-conference schedule, the Seminoles lost games to major conference schools, including Florida, Texas A&M, Georgia, and Houston. Florida State’s scheduled conference-opening slate includes the Tar Heels and the Duke Blue Devils.

Under New head coach Luke Louks, FSU has shifted to a three-point-focused offense. The Seminoles rank 11th in the nation in three-pointers made per game. The Knowles have featured a balanced offense with guard Robert McCray leading the team in scoring at 13.5 points per game.

North Carolina (12-1) enters the game ranked 12th nationally. The Tar Heels’ only loss came against Michigan State in November. Forward Caleb Wilson leads the Tar Heels in scoring at 19.6 points per game.

___

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