Last Call for 7.27.26 – 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 —

Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson has tapped Jessica Ferris to lead the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Office of Agricultural Water Policy.

Ferris rises from staff director for the Office, where she helped oversee statewide agricultural and water quality initiatives, including development of the department’s Agricultural Regional Projects Program. She also led strategic planning efforts to strengthen the office’s operations.

Simpson also announced Megan Seward will continue as Assistant Director, rounding out the leadership team for the Office charged with overseeing statewide agricultural water quality initiatives and conservation programs.

“Jessica Ferris and Megan Seward are proven public servants with extensive experience in agriculture, natural resources, environmental policy and government operations, and I know they will build on the historic successes of our Office of Agricultural Water Policy,” Simpson said.

“Florida’s farmers and ranchers are the original conservationists, and protecting our water resources while maintaining a strong domestic food supply requires practical, science-based, forward-thinking leadership from our Office of Agricultural Water Policy — and that’s exactly what Jessica Ferris and Megan Seward bring to the team.”

Seward will continue overseeing the office’s Policy, Planning and Coordination Bureau, Budget Section and Contracts Section. Her responsibilities include implementing agricultural Best Management Practices (BMPs), water quality planning, rulemaking, legislative analysis, budgeting and procurement.

Before joining FDACS, she held senior roles at Citizens Property Insurance Corp. — the state-backed insurer of last resort — as well as the Northwest Florida Water Management District and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

The Office of Agricultural Water Policy works with farmers, commodity organizations, water management districts, the DEP and other partners to develop and implement BMPs designed to conserve water and improve water quality through voluntary, science-based conservation programs.

— Evening Reads —

—”Donald Trump in Michigan to sell economy as GOP fears Midterm fallout” via Erin Cox, Cat Zakrzewski and Riley Beggin of The Washington Post

—“Trump gutted the Kennedy Center. A tour guide wants you to see it anyway.” via Elizabeth Williamson of The New York Times

—”The *real* reason Trump keeps pushing the SAVE Act” via Chris Cillizza of So What

—”A battle for the future of the Democratic Party” via Adam Harris of The Atlantic

—”Private Claude chats exposed in Google and Bing search results” via Maddy Varner of WIRED

—”The U.S. is better off than it was in 1976. So why does it feel worse?” via Bryan Walsh of Vox

—”America’s big cities are rapidly losing kids” via Rachel Louise Ensign and Paul Overberg of The Wall Street Journal

—“Byron Donalds says his investments are above board, condemns attacks as politically motivated” via A.G. Gancarski of Florida Politics

—”Voters reject property tax initiative once they understand what’s at stake, pollster says” via Gabrielle Russon of Florida Politics

—”Can Britain regulate an American website? The 4chan fight could decide” via René Rabeder of Florida Politics

— Quote of the Day —

“There are people in this race who have known me for a decade, and now, all of a sudden, they want to throw this stuff against the wall. That’s how you know it’s politics.”

— U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds, rebutting criticisms that his investments in equities are unethical.

— 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.

Bertha spared the Tampa Bay area, but Jane Castor says residents should consider it a Warning Shot.

Down in the polls and with little time left on the clock, gubernatorial candidate Paul Renner is ordering an All In alongside a seven-figure media buy.

It may sound good on paper, but once voters hear the deets they’re serving a No Thanks to Amendment 3.

— Breakthrough Insights —

— Tune In —

Marlins look to snap losing skid

The Miami Marlins look to snap a 12-game losing streak as they open a three-game home series against the Philadelphia Phillies tonight (6:40 p.m. ET, Marlins.TV).

The 12-game losing streak is tied for the longest skid of the season in Major League Baseball, matching a 12-game streak endured by the New York Mets earlier this season.

Before the All-Star break, Miami saw a six-game winning streak ended by a three-game sweep at the hands of the Cleveland Guardians. Since the All-Star break, the Marlins have been swept in three-game series by the Milwaukee Brewers, Houston Astros and San Diego Padres.

Righthander Tyler Phillips is scheduled to make the start tonight. The former Phillie will face the team with whom he made his Major League debut in 2024. Phillips has started 10 games this season for the Marlins while appearing in relief 16 times.

Philadelphia will send Zack Wheeler to the mound in search of his 11th victory of the season. Wheeler, 36, has reached double-digit wins for the ninth season in his career. Only future Hall of Famers Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer have more seasons with at least 10 wins.

The series continues tomorrow evening and concludes on Wednesday afternoon. After that, the Marlins go on the road for four games at the Mets and three more in Atlanta against the Braves.

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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.