Last Call for 7.20.26 – 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 —

Alex Vindman’s U.S. Senate campaign is launching a six-figure digital buy introducing the Democratic candidate to Florida voters while casting incumbent U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody as a “corrupt insider.”

The ad, titled “Courage,” traces Vindman’s biography from his family’s escape from communism to his military service in Iraq, where he earned a Purple Heart, before highlighting his role in speaking out against President Donald Trump during Trump’s first impeachment.

“Some people talk about fighting for democracy. Alex Vindman’s actually done it,” the ad’s narrator says.

The spot pivots to the Senate race, stating that he’s running “not to join the corrupt insiders like Ashley Moody, but to throw them out.” It closes by pledging to lower the cost of living and “put Florida families first,” ending with the tagline: “Alex Vindman: patriot, not politician.”

The campaign said the ad flight will run across multiple digital platforms.

“On the heels of blockbuster fundraising, our campaign is on offense against corrupt politician Ashley Moody who is a weak campaigner and remains largely undefined,” said Vindman campaign spokesperson Albert Fujii.

“From now until Election Day, we are going to ensure every voter in Florida knows how corrupt Ashley Moody is,” Fujii continued, arguing Vindman “is not a career politician and is laser-focused on cutting costs and fighting the corruption in D.C. that is raising costs for Florida families.”

The campaign has accused Moody of trading more than $2 million in stocks, including investments in companies it says fell under her oversight, and of aligning herself with special interests that contribute to higher costs for Floridians.

Watch the ad here.

— Evening Reads —

—”Republicans don’t want to go there again on Trump’s 2020 election fraud claims” via Natalie Allison of The Washington Post

—”This entire White House is run by a very small group of people” via Chris Cillizza, Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan of So What

—“There are important lessons in my state’s Senate race” via Frank Bruni of The New York Times

—”How public opinion is turning against AI” via Miles Bryan of Vox

—”The canoeist accused of destroying the Reflecting Pool” via Matt Viser of The Atlantic

—”America got the World Cup it deserves — good and bad” via Jack Crosbie of Rolling Stone

—”Byron Donalds wants 3 gubernatorial debates with David Jolly” via A.G. Gancarski of Florida Politics

—“Poll finds wording of Florida property tax amendment could set its fate” via Ryan Gillespie of the Orlando Sentinel

—”Florida Democrats seek a path forward as party faces uphill battle in Midterm Elections” via Tristan Wood of WFSU

—”Florida disaster fund spent more on immigration than all 2025 missions combined” via Liv Caputo of the Florida Phoenix

— Quote of the Day —

“The UNF poll samples a universe that doesn’t exist in Florida’s November election. Even with its flaws, it still affirms that David Jolly is well positioned to win the governorship.”

— A David Jolly adviser, on new polling of the Governor’s race.

— 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.

The First Coast gets another Factory Cola after June’s survey showed strong growth in the manufacturing sector.

Florida Democrats say the property tax amendment would be a Great Heist for Florida communities, resulting in either fewer services or higher taxes elsewhere.

It’s not hurricane time yet, but you can get started with a Tropical Depression while Bertha ponders her next move off the Panhandle coast.

— Breakthrough Insights —

— Tune In —

Rays try to snap losing skid

With the best record in the American League, the Tampa Bay Rays begin a four-game series in Toronto against the Blue Jays, looking to snap the team’s longest losing streak of the season (7 p.m. ET, Rays.TV).

After the All-Star break, the Rays were swept in a four-game series in Boston, including losing both games of a doubleheader Friday.

Tampa Bay still leads the New York Yankees by a game and a half in the American League East standings, with Boston, winners of 13 straight games, closing to within six games.

The Blue Jays, the defending American League champions, have struggled to regain last season’s form. Toronto sits in the basement of the A.L. East and has been outscored by 45 runs this season, fifth-worst in the American League.

Righthander Nick Martinez (8-2, 2.65 ERA) is scheduled to start on the mound for the Rays. Martinez ranks eighth in the league in earned run average. He pitched an inning for the American League in the All-Star Game last Tuesday.

Toronto will counter with Dylan Cease (6-4, 2.56 ERA), who is second in the Major Leagues with 148 strikeouts. Cease also pitched an inning for the American League in the All-Star Game, striking out three batters and walking one.

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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.