Last Call for 3.16.26 – 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

Two Washington updates with Florida ties landed Monday, bringing news about the health of White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles and retiring U.S. Rep. Neal Dunn.

President Donald Trump disclosed that Wiles has been diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer but will remain on the job while undergoing treatment.

“Susie Wiles is an incredible Chief of Staff, a great person, and one of the strongest people I know, but unfortunately, she has been diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer, and has decided to take on this challenge, IMMEDIATELY, as opposed to waiting,” Trump posted on Truth Social.

Trump added that Wiles has “a fantastic medical team” and that her prognosis is “excellent,” noting she plans to spend “virtually full time at the White House” during treatment.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt praised Wiles’ leadership, writing that she “epitomizes what it means to be a strong leader,” while Deputy Chief of Staff James Blair said her record navigating legal and political battles around Trump’s return to the presidency shows she has the resolve to face the challenge ahead.

Closer to home, Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson also shared new details about a recent medical episode involving Dunn, the Panhandle Republican who has already announced he will retire at the end of the year.

Trump said Dunn’s condition had become serious before doctors intervened quickly.

“No. 1, it was bad ’cause I liked him. No. 2, it was bad ’cause I needed his votes,” Trump said during a Washington news conference, recounting how Dunn had pledged to continue serving as long as he could.

Trump said White House physicians helped arrange rapid treatment that included a lengthy operation involving additional stents and other procedures. Doctors later told him Dunn would recover, a development Johnson said has left the Congressman energized and ready to continue serving the remainder of his term.

“He has a new lease on life. He has more energy than a man half his age,” Johnson added. “So, again, a testament to great leadership. And he’s, my hat’s off to Neal Dunn, and his beautiful wife and family. He’s an extraordinary individual.”

Evening Reads

—”Donald Trump sold young voters on his vision. Many are having buyer’s remorse.” via Dan Merica and Cat Zakrzewski

—”The 28 must-see lines from Trump’s utterly bizarre Air Force One news conference” via Chris Cillizza of So What

—”With Iran War, Trump risks stepping on gains from his own tax cuts” via Andrew Duehren of The New York Times

—”Cubans intensify protests after sundown, protected by the night and blackouts” via José de Córdoba of The Wall Street Journal

—”The Supreme Court case attempting to sabotage voting by mail” via Ian Millhiser of Vox

—”Wall Street is already betting on prediction markets” via Kate Knibbs of WIRED

—“The 2026 Session had to get ‘embarrassing’ for the Legislature to reclaim its independence” via Peter Schorsch of Florida Politics

—“James Uthmeier now says it’s unconstitutional to ban nondangerous felons from possessing firearms” via Mitch Perry of the Florida Phoenix

—“Jerry Demings says he’s gaining support for Governor run” via Gabrielle Russon of Florida Politics

—“UF sued by College Republicans for deactivating club over Nazi salute” via Garrett Shanley of the Miami Herald

Quote of the Day

“While Congress sits on their hands and does nothing about this, we are on the ground floor with this day in and day out — looking in the eyes of these folks that, yes, came here inappropriately. But some came here inappropriately only to do better for themselves and their family.”

— Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, during a State Immigration Enforcement Council meeting.

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.

He has a ways to go to catch up to the competition, but Lt. Gov. Jay Collins gets a Rusty Sheriff’s Badge for landing an endorsement from a second county lawman.

Based on early voting data, those expecting a Blue Wave in Senate District 14 should temper their expectations … perhaps a Blue Ripple, if that?

Legislation to change drinking straw laws in Florida got the life sucked out of them this Session, and that means you can still order all the Last Straws, Straw Dogs and Straw-Be-Peas you can drink.

Breakthrough Insights

Tune In

Red-hot Magic face surging Hawks

The two hottest teams in the Eastern Conference meet as the Orlando Magic face the Hawks in Atlanta (7 p.m. ET, Peacock/NBC Sports Network).

The Magic (38-28) begin the day in fifth place in the conference, 9.5 games behind the Detroit Pistons and half a game ahead of sixth-place Toronto. The Magic have won seven straight entering tonight’s game, including a 121-117 win at the Miami Heat on Saturday. In the game, Paolo Banchero scored 27 points, grabbed eight rebounds, and dished seven assists.

Orlando’s winning streak is the team’s longest of the season.

The Hawks (36-31) are trying to remain in contention for one of the play-in spots. With 15 games remaining in the regular season, Atlanta has hit its stride, winning nine straight games to climb to ninth place in the Eastern Conference. In Atlanta’s last game, a 122-90 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks, guard CJ McCollum scored 30 points on seven of 10 from three-point range.

Tonight’s game is the first meeting between the two teams since the first month of the season. Atlanta took two games from the Magic, winning 111-107 in Orlando and taking a 127-112 decision in Atlanta. The two teams are scheduled to meet again on April 1.

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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.