Gov. Ron DeSantis just filled a handful of bench vacancies, three in Florida’s most populous county and two in the state’s capital.

In Miami-Dade, DeSantis named County Court Judge Christina Correa and Assistant State Attorney Jose Rohaidy to the 11th Judicial Circuit Court. He also tapped lawyer Jennifer Levin for a judgeship on the Miami-Dade County Court.

All fill vacancies created by the enactment of SB 2508, a measure the Governor signed this year increasing the number of circuit and county court Judges statewide.

Correa has served on the County Court since 2020, having previously worked as an Assistant State Attorney. She holds a Juris Doctor from Florida International University.

Rohaidy, part of State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle’s team since 2019, previously worked as an associate at Zumpano Patricios and earned his Juris Doctor from St. Thomas University.

Levin, a partner at Stone Glass & Connolly and past associate at Martinez Morales Law, earned her Juris Doctor from FIU, too.

Two Tallahassee lawyers — both of whom have worked in the Legislature — are also donning robes, courtesy of DeSantis’ appointment pen.

The first is Jeremiah Hawkes, who will take a seat on the 2nd Judicial Circuit Court bench, which covers Franklin, Gadsden, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty and Wakulla counties. Hawkes has worked as a senior counsel for Bass Sox & Mercer since 2022. He previously worked as the General Counsel for the Senate and earned his Juris Doctor from Florida State University (FSU).

Carlos Rey, another FSU College of Law alum who has worked as the Senate’s General Counsel since 2023 and a senior attorney since 2020, is joining the Leon County Court. He previously served as an Assistant General Counsel for the Florida Department of State.

Hawkes’ seat opened up due to SB 2508. Rey’s was made available by the recent elevation of Judge Jason Jones.

Correa is from Coral Gables, while Rohaidy and Levin are from Miami, according to a press note from the Governor’s Office. Hawkes and Rey both live in Tallahassee.

GOP gubernatorial candidate Paul Renner is proud of his conservative record while serving in office and says Republican voters should compare it to Byron Donalds’ over the past nine years, “apples to apples.”

The former Florida House speaker is trailing Donalds significantly in early public opinion polls regarding the 2026 Republican gubernatorial Primary, in part because President Donald Trump endorsed the U.S. Representative from Naples in February.

Speaking at the Tampa Bay Trump Republican Club meeting at Mugs Sports Bar & Grill in Clearwater Tuesday night, Renner was asked directly by a member of the audience to provide evidence that voters should ignore Trump and support Renner in next August’s GOP Primary.

“You can compare my leadership experience to anyone in the race or thinking about getting into the race. Byron and I got in office at the same time,” he said.

“He ran against me for Speaker back in 2016 when he was in the state House. What has he done in the nine or 10 years he’s been in office? You can look at what I’ve done in the nine or 10 years that I’ve been in office. It’s an apples-to-apples comparison, and you can ask … at the end of the day, who do you trust more to handle whatever comes our way?”

Renner boasted earlier in the speech about his tenure as speaker between 2022 and 2024, particularly the robust package of bills passed during the 2023 Legislative Session on immigration, abortion and unions, among other initiatives aggressively pushed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, fresh off his 19-point re-election victory and in advance of his subsequent run for President.

“We did all of this legislative reform and called it the most conservative and consequential two years we had in Florida history,” Renner said.

He added that his legislative record in Tallahassee should be compared to what Donalds has accomplished in his five years in Congress and went on to extoll his proposals as a candidate on affordability and property taxes — proposals he said aren’t being offered by any other candidate in the GOP race for Governor.

Voting record

He also took aim at Donalds’ voting record in Congress.

“Our system is broken; people are too busy running for the next office or getting on TV and not solving the problems. And it’s one thing to talk about repealing Obamacare, or doing something on illegal immigration, but if you haven’t done it, how can you can come into this state, or if you haven’t shown up to take votes in Congress, how can you interview for a position of senior pastor when you don’t show up to church?” he asked.

Renner’s criticism of Donalds’ voting record echoes some of the comments made by DeSantis in February, when the Governor said the Congressman “just hasn’t been part of any of the victories that we’ve had here over the left over these last few years.”

When it comes to missed votes in Congress from the Florida delegation, Donalds has ranked fourth worst among the state’s 28 members, according to GovTrack.us.

In Donalds’ first term in Congress (2021-2023), he missed 3.2% of all votes, placing him 63rd among all members in the U.S. House. Former Democratic U.S. Rep. Stephanie Murphy was tops in Florida members of Congress in missed votes at 8.3%. Republicans Daniel Webster came second with 7.6% and Bill Posey third with 5.5% missed votes.

During Donalds’ second term (2023-2025), he missed 7.2% of all votes, placing him 47th among all members in the U.S. House. The Florida members of Congress with the highest percentage of missed votes in that term were led by Republican Anna Paulina Luna at 16% (part of her absences were due to having problems before and after a pregnancy that led to her doctor prohibiting her from traveling), and Republicans Mike Waltz at 10.3% and Greg Steube at 10.2%.

Speaking of Luna, Renner referenced the Pinellas County Republican U.S. Representative’s discharge position to force a vote on congressional stock trading ban.

“Why is that so hard to do, and why don’t we have enough Republicans — including my opponent — who have not signed on to stop making money while you’re in office from inside information that only you are aware of, as a Congressman?” he said.

“That is not okay, and so we’re going to make sure we put that to rest. We don’t have that, thankfully, in Tallahassee, but we cannot have people who care more about themselves coming in to lead our state. We need people that are putting other people first, put Florida first, and that’s what I’ll do when I’m Governor.”

Donalds fires back

The Donalds campaign sent the Phoenix a statement when asked to respond to Renner’s comments.

“Byron Donalds is the only candidate who has voted with President Trump to provide record tax relief for families and seniors, shut down the border, deport criminal illegals, protect our national security, and Make America Great Again,” said Ryan Smith, chief strategist for the campaign.

“Byron Donalds will be Florida’s next governor because he is the proven conservative fighter endorsed by President Trump. Anyone running against him is an anti-Trump RINO and will get crushed in the Republican primary.”

Talking about his stance on crime, the former Broward County prosecutor touted 2023 legislation that expanded the state’s death penalty to include suspects who rape children younger than 12 years old. That law will likely be challenged, as the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 2008 that sentencing a defendant to death for any crime other than homicide or crimes against the state is unconstitutional under the Eighth Amendment.

Regarding the death penalty, Renner noted that some of the individuals who have been executed this year in the state of Florida had been on death row for nearly four decades, which he said was unacceptable.

“I am sick and tired of seeing the family members grow old and die and never see justice,” he said.

“When I’m Governor, we’re going to shorten that under Marsy’s law. That should be no more — and I hope less than this — but no more than five years for capital felonies and two years for non-capital felonies. Make your case. Make your arguments. Stop playing games, and once that happens, we’re going to execute you as you should be. Don’t touch our kids. Don’t kill our men and women or you will be put to death in the state of Florida.”

(According to Marsy’s Law, all state-level appeals and collateral attacks on any judgment must be complete within two years of the date of appeal in non-capital cases and within five years from the date of appeal in capital cases, unless a court enters an order with specific findings as to why the court was unable to comply with this provision and the circumstances causing the delay).

Speaking about illegal immigration, Renner said immigration “should be like adopting into a family.”

Although immigration was controversial when Italians and Irish immigrated to America, they were able to assimilate into the country because “they were Christian. They shared our western values,” Renner said.

Now, he asserted, there are “Islamists who refuse to assimilate and have no intention of assimilating. And what they want is to get to a point of dominance and force us to assimilate to them.”

He went on to applaud DeSantis for his executive order last week declaring the Muslim Brotherhood and the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) “as the terrorist organizations that they are.”

CAIR-Florida filed a lawsuit in federal court against DeSantis on Monday for issuing that executive order, claiming that it is unconstitutional.

Renner worked closely with DeSantis during his tenure as House Speaker to enact their shared agenda during the 2023 and 2024 Legislative Sessions, and he traveled to frigid Iowa in January 2024 to campaign for the Governor just ahead of the presidential caucus that year. Despite that support, DeSantis has been dismissive of his candidacy, saying in September, “I’m not supporting Paul Renner,” adding that it was “ill-advised” that he entered the race.

DeSantis has yet to back any Republican in the contest to succeed him next year.

___

Reporting by Mitch Perry. Florida Phoenix is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Florida Phoenix maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Michael Moline for questions: [email protected].

Good Thursday morning.

Today, we’re turning the top of Sunburn over to my wife, Michelle: “Happy birthday to the incomparable Stephanie Smith. Many people in The Process consider her their best friend, but in the Schorsch household, we care most that she is Ella Joyce’s best friend (she stole her from Michelle). Her friendship, leadership and influence are felt throughout Florida politics. She has mentored countless people and, more importantly, taught them the importance of helping others advance their careers. Her bright smile is a welcome relief in an inherently adversarial industry. The world is a better place because she is in it. So please join us in toasting an incredible woman, our dear friend Stephanie Smith.”

___

Eliminating homestead property taxes would not make the costs of local government disappear; it would simply shift them onto renters, new homeowners and consumers, a new Florida League of Cities report found.

Based on interviews with municipal officials statewide and a review of local budgets, the report finds that sweeping homestead tax reforms — including policies floated by Gov. Ron DeSantis and measures advancing in the House — would worsen inequities already embedded in Florida’s property tax system, particularly those created by Save Our Homes.

That constitutional provision caps annual assessment increases on homesteaded properties at the rate of inflation, strongly favoring long-term homeowners while shifting a growing share of the tax burden onto newer buyers, renters and non-homesteaded properties.

Rental properties aren’t protected under Save Our Homes. New homeowners can qualify, but only if they own and occupy the property by Jan. 1 of the tax year and apply within a narrow statutory window.

City leaders warned that broad exemptions or outright elimination of homestead taxes would magnify those disparities by delivering the largest benefits to owners of high-value homes while draining revenue from residentially dependent communities.

“Every exemption for one group is a tax increase for another,” one respondent told researchers.

To keep budgets whole under major homestead tax cuts, municipalities would likely need to raise millage rates on non-homesteaded properties, the report said. Those increases are typically passed on to renters and consumers through higher rents and prices.

“For renters, higher property taxes translate into higher rental rates,” researchers wrote. “For small businesses, this can mean higher operating costs, reduced margins or even closures.”

The report warned that weakening property taxes would push cities to rely more on sales taxes, leaving local governments more exposed to economic shocks.

— SITUATIONAL AWARENESS —

Tweet, tweet:

—@AaropPBean: Northeast Florida is proud of our own @SusieWiles as she serves President @realDonaldTrump and our nation so effectively. It’s been said by many that White House Chief of Staff could be the hardest job in the world – and we are fortunate she is doing it so well. Now let’s all get back to work, making America work and great again!

—@FBIDDBongino: I will be leaving my position with the FBI in January. I want to thank President Trump, AG (Pam) Bondi, and Director (Kash) Patel for the opportunity to serve with purpose. Most importantly, I want to thank you, my fellow Americans, for the privilege to serve you. God bless America, and all those who defend her

—@MaxPCohen: (John) Thune continues to provide a reality check that ACA subsidy discharge petition likely isn’t going anywhere in Senate. Thune says he expects the House discharge to be “very partisan” and distinguishes it from the (Jeffrey) Epstein files vote of 427-1. “We’ll see what happens with that”

—@MarioDB: The truth is, while an estimated 7% of individuals may benefit from COVID-era subsidies, small businesses and middle-class families, who already struggle with the cost of health insurance, would bear the burden of these (Joe) Biden-era inflationary policies. A study found that these COVID-era subsidies actually exacerbated health inflation and income inequality, where in some parts of the country, households with more than $500K as a result now qualified for Obamacare premium tax credits.

—@LibbyDean_: President Trump plans to address marijuana rescheduling tomorrow as he weighs whether to take executive action to lower its drug classification, a White House official tells me.

—@Fineout: This a.m. @WiltonSimpson once again sidestepped questions about 2026. — “You’ll know I’m running for re-election because I’ll announce,” Simpson quipped to reporters. Simpson could seek a 2nd term as Ag Commissioner, but he has enough $ in accounts he could make a run for Governor

Tweet, tweet:

Tweet, tweet:

Tweet, tweet:

Tweet, tweet:

— DAYS UNTIL —

‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ premieres — 1; ‘ELWAY’ documentary premieres on Netflix — 4; Broncos vs. Chiefs in Kansas City on Christmas Day — 7; ‘Industry’ season four premieres — 24; Australian Open begins — 25; Special Primary Election for HD 87 — 26; HD 51 Special Primary and two Boca Raton referendums — 26; Legislative Session begins — 26; Florida Chamber Legislative Fly-In — 26; The James Madison Institute Red, White & Bluegrass event — 27; ‘Game of Thrones’ prequel ‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ premieres on HBO — 31; ‘Melania’ documentary premieres — 43; Florida TaxWatch State of the Taxpayer Dinner — 49; Milano Cortina Olympic & Paralympic Games begin — 50; Special (General) Election for HD 87 — 67; ‘Paradise’ season two premieres on Hulu — 67; ‘Yellowstone’ spinoff ‘Y: Marshals’ premieres — 73; Boca Raton Mayoral and City Council Elections — 82; last day of the Regular Session — 85; Special Election for HD 51 (if necessary) — 96; Yankees-Giants Opening Day matchup / Netflix’s first exclusive MLB stream — 97; MLB 14-game Opening Day slate — 98; new season of ‘Your Friends And Neighbors’ premieres on Apple+ — 106; Tampa Bay Rays first game at the newly repaired Tropicana Field — 109; Florida TaxWatch Spring Meeting begins — 118; MLB Jackie Robinson Day — 118; First Qualifying Period begins (Federal) — 123; Federal Qualifying Period ends — 127; F1 Miami begins — 134; ‘Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu’ premieres — 155; new mission for ‘Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run’ premieres at Disney World — 155; MLB Lou Gehrig Day — 166; Second Qualifying Period begins (State) — 172; South Africa in the FIFA World Cup opener in Mexico City — 175; Steven Spielberg’s ‘Disclosure Day’ premieres — 176; State Qualifying Period ends — 176; ‘Toy Story 5’ premieres in theaters — 183; Mexico will face live-action ‘Moana’ premieres — 195; Primary Election: Deadline to send vote-by-mail ballots to UOCAVA voters — 198; Primary Election: Deadline to send vote-by-mail ballots to domestic voters — 203; MLB All-Star Game — 208; Domestic Primary Election VBM Ballots Mailed deadline — 210; Primary Election: Deadline to register to vote or change party affiliation — 214; Primary Election: Deadline to request that ballot be mailed — 231; Primary Election: Early voting period begins (mandatory period) — 233; Primary Election Day — 243; Yankees host the Mets to mark the anniversary of 9/11 — 267; MLB Roberto Clemente Day — 271; General Election: Deadline to send vote-by-mail ballots to UOCAVA voters — 275; General Election: Deadline to send vote-by-mail ballots to domestic voters — 280; Domestic General Election VBM Ballots Mailed deadline — 287; General Election: Deadline to register to vote — 291; Early Voting General Election mandatory period begins — 310; General Election — 320; ‘Dune: Part 3’ premieres — 365; ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ premieres — 365; untitled ‘Star Wars’ movie premieres — 365; Tampa Mayoral Election — 439; Jacksonville First Election — 460; Jacksonville General Election — 516; ‘Spider-Man: Beyond The Spider-Verse’ premieres — 534; ‘Bluey The Movie’ premieres — 596; ‘The Batman 2’ premieres — 652; ‘Avengers: Secret Wars’ premieres — 729; Los Angeles Olympics Opening Ceremony — 939; U.S. Presidential Election — 1055; ‘Avatar 4’ premieres — 1455; ‘Avatar 5’ premieres — 2186.

—TOP STORY—

“Republicans clinch Democrats’ bid to force vote on health subsidies” via Michael Gold of The New York Times — A group of House Republicans from swing districts broke with Speaker Mike Johnson and joined Democrats to force a future vote on extending Affordable Care Act subsidies set to expire at year’s end. The move underscored growing fractures inside the GOP over health care policy heading into an election year.

Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick, Rob Bresnahan Jr., Ryan Mackenzie, and Mike Lawler signed a Democratic discharge petition that guarantees a House vote in early 2026 on a three-year extension of the subsidies. The maneuver bypassed Johnson, whose narrower health care package avoids the issue entirely.

While the vote would come after the subsidies expire and face long odds in the Senate, it would force Republicans to publicly confront rising premiums. That outcome hands Democrats a potent campaign issue and prolongs Republican infighting over health care costs.

The four Republicans said they were seeking a vote, not endorsing the Democratic bill. They had pushed for shorter extensions with added restrictions, but Johnson rejected those ideas, citing concerns over funding and abortion-related provisions demanded by conservatives.

Johnson’s refusal drove the lawmakers into an alliance with Democrats, pushing the petition past the threshold needed to compel action. The episode unfolded amid tense floor negotiations, defections on procedural votes, and visible frustration among GOP lawmakers pressing for compromise.

The rebellion highlights a weakening grip by House leadership and a party struggling to manage a volatile issue where Democrats poll strongly. With multiple discharge petitions advancing this year, once-rare acts of defiance are becoming routine, signaling a House where slim margins leave leaders increasingly vulnerable to internal revolts.

— STATEWIDE —

“Gov. Ron DeSantis floats ideas on Citizens rates, claims disputes” via Gary Fineout of POLITICO — DeSantis urged Florida’s insurance regulator to push Citizens Property Insurance toward deeper rate cuts and floated expanding mandatory arbitration for insurance disputes, signaling another aggressive move on insurance policy. Citizens recently proposed a 2.6% statewide rate decrease, its first significant cut in a decade, but DeSantis argued rates should fall further as the insurer’s policy count has dropped sharply. He also suggested steering more claims disputes away from traditional courts and into administrative arbitration, a process already used by Citizens and criticized by consumer advocates. Insurance Commissioner Mike Yaworsky said the idea could speed resolutions but acknowledged it would likely require legislative approval. DeSantis also backed limits on insurers’ use of artificial intelligence, saying claim decisions should require human review.

“Florida Cabinet signs off on Collier deal with few details” via Bruce Ritchie of POLITICO — DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet unanimously approved delegating authority to the Department of Environmental Protection to negotiate a conservation easement on nearly 11,000 acres owned by Barron Collier Partnership, despite key details such as price, appraisals, and permitted land uses remaining undisclosed. The easement spans tracts in Collier and Hendry counties and is intended to link the Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge with Big Cypress National Preserve. DEP said oil and gas mineral rights will be surrendered and cited a looming June 30 funding deadline as a reason to move quickly. The approval comes amid heightened scrutiny of DEP land deals, including the $83 million purchase in Destin. Agriculture Commissioner Simpson and Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia expressed confidence in DEP’s process, while critics warn the Cabinet is ceding too much authority outside public view.

“Federal officials end investigation into deadly Florida contractor” via Emily L. Mahoney of the Tampa Bay Times — After more than two years of digging, the federal government is ending its investigation into Archer Western, a road-building company hired by the state that employed undocumented immigrants for years. “The office is closing the matter,” said William Daniels, spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Middle District of Florida. Daniels confirmed that no further charges will be brought as part of the probe conducted by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, in collaboration with several other federal agencies and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

— LEGISLATIVE —

“DeSantis still hasn’t called Special Election for vacant Miami state House seat” via Claire Heddles of the Miami Herald — More than 75,000 Miami-Dade voters could go unrepresented in the Florida House this Legislative Session as DeSantis delays calling a Special Election for a vacant seat last held by Vicki Lopez. The vacancy was created when Lopez was appointed to the Miami-Dade County Commission nearly a month ago, yet no election date has been set. Critics across party lines say the delay is political, noting that previous Governors typically called Special Elections within days. Democrats believe the District, which includes Brickell, Key Biscayne and parts of Little Havana and Coconut Grove, is more competitive now than in 2022. Republicans have also complained about the lack of representation as budget decisions move forward. DeSantis’ office has offered no timeline, despite mounting legal and political pressure.

“Blaise Ingoglia backs bill with penalties for local government overspending and taxation” via Drew Dixon of Florida Politics — CFO Ingoglia held a news conference in Tampa where he outlined several elements of legislation that will be taken up by the House and Senate when the Legislative Session begins Jan. 13. “Almost every local government we have reviewed … has shown zero fiscal restraint,” Ingoglia said. “They just took the tax money and they spent it.” To bring some of that spending under control, the legislation would establish what he calls the Florida Agency for Fiscal Oversight as a permanent initiative and agency. The move comes after Ingoglia began analyzing local government spending in different municipalities in the Summer. He concluded his tour of various counties and cities on Dec. 4 in Palm Beach County, where he blasted the government for “wasteful and excessive” spending.

— SKED. & MISC. —

9 a.m.

— State Board of Executive Clemency: Cabinet Meeting Room.

9:30 a.m.

— EDR: Early Learning Programs Estimating: Room 117, Knott Building. Topic: School Readiness.

9:45 a.m.

— EDR: Early Learning Programs Estimating: Room 117, Knott Building. Topic: Voluntary pre-K.

11 a.m.

— Florida Children and Youth Cabinet: Senate Office Building, Room 301.

4 p.m.

— Florida Commission on Ethics: Zoom link here. Passcode: 390473.

New and renewed lobbying registrations:

Darrick McGhee, Johnson & Blanton: Accelerate Learning

Christna Hoffman: Florida Hospital Association

Patrick Gillespie, Adams and Reese: Track Group

— D.C. MATTERS —

“FBI’s No. 2 quietly tells colleagues he’s moving on” via Carol Leonnig and Ken Dilanian of MS Now — Speculation and anticipation have gripped the nation’s premier law enforcement agency over the future of one of its top leaders, FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino. Bongino has quietly told confidants he plans to formally leave his job early in the new year and will not be returning to headquarters to work this month. Bongino told his team and some senior FBI officials that he tentatively planned to announce his departure on Dec. 19. Several people said some of Bongino’s personal effects had been cleared out of his office as of last week.

“Senate passes bipartisan bill responding to Washington air disaster” via Sam Ogozalek of POLITICO — The Senate passed via a fast-track mechanism the bipartisan ROTOR Act, the first significant bill to gain traction in Congress responding to January’s deadly midair collision in Washington. Commerce Chair Ted Cruz secured unanimous consent to pass the legislation, after an earlier attempt to attach it to the annual National Defense Authorization Act failed. “We still have a few small outstanding issues, but I’m optimistic that we’re going to get this done and signed into law as soon as next month,” Cruz said. It capped a whirlwind week for the legislative effort, after Cruz and Sen. Maria Cantwell, the Committee’s ranking member, blasted a provision of the must-pass NDAA, saying it would weaken air safety following the regional jet-Army Black Hawk crash near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. The crash killed 67 people, in the United States’ worst aviation disaster in more than two decades.

Epilogue — “Nearly $900 million flowed in secret to help Kamala Harris and Donald Trump in 2024” via Theodore Schleifer of The New York Times — The main nonprofit groups aligned with the 2024 presidential candidates raised nearly $900 million in undisclosed donations, highlighting the growing role of dark money in modern campaigns. Filings obtained by The New York Times show that Future Forward USA Action, which backs President Biden and Vice President Harris, raised $613 million, with most of that total coming from just 10 donors and $252 million flowing to its affiliated super PAC. Trump’s allied nonprofit, Securing American Greatness, raised about $275 million and routed nearly $68 million to super PACs. Because 501(c)(4) nonprofits are not required to disclose donors, the true sources of much of this funding remain hidden. Campaign finance experts warn that the system is increasingly blurring legal boundaries, allowing nonprofits to act as pass-through vehicles while limiting transparency for voters.

— ELECTIONS —

“Jerry Demings, David Jolly are tied, but concerns remain about nominating another former Republican” via Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics — A poll shows 22% of voters favor Demings, the Mayor and former Sheriff of Orange County. A similar 22% prefer Jolly, a former Congressman-turned-MSNOW commentator. But more than half the electorate, or 56%, remain undecided. The poll was conducted Dec. 2-3. A polling memo from GQR, Demings’ pollster, notes significant weaknesses in the Democratic base regarding Jolly, who was a Republican when he served in Congress and only broke with the GOP in the Trump era. The poll, paid for by a political committee tied to Demings, tested messaging and found that vulnerability could reshape the race.

“Paul Renner wants GOP voters to compare his record with Byron Donalds’” via Mitch Perry of Florida Phoenix — Renner is proud of his conservative record while serving in office and says Republican voters should compare it to Donalds’ over the past nine years, “apples to apples.” The former Florida House Speaker is trailing Donalds significantly in early public opinion polls regarding the 2026 Republican Gubernatorial Primary, in part because Trump endorsed the U.S. representative from Naples in February. Speaking at the Tampa Bay Trump Republican Club meeting at Mugs Sports Bar & Grill in Clearwater Tuesday night, a member of the audience asked Renner directly to provide evidence that voters should ignore Trump and support Renner in next August’s GOP Primary Election.

— LOCAL: S. FL —

“A Miami-Dade incinerator? County Commissioners get (a little) closer to a decision” via Douglas Hanks of the Miami Herald — Nearly three years after a fire destroyed the Doral incinerator that processed about half of Miami-Dade’s trash, County Commissioners want to pursue building a new one in an industrial area near the Broward County line. Two teams have been competing to build a replacement facility, and both kept their hopes alive after the Commissioners voted to consider a combined proposal from the current rivals. Each team proposed building its incinerator in an area off Okeechobee Road, south of the Broward County line. That still places a future incinerator a couple of miles from the Broward city of Miramar, but not as close as the idle Miami-Dade airport the county once selected as the preferred incinerator site.

“‘A five-alarm fire’: Broward schools to take emergency action on construction” via Scott Travis of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel — The Broward School Board plans emergency action to manage its troubled construction program after an audit found District staff mishandled a competitive bidding process for an outside manager, potentially violating District policy and state law. Board members rejected bids from AECOM, Jacobs Engineering and EXP, criticizing staff for defying Board direction and placing the District at risk. With AECOM’s contract expiring Jan. 17, Superintendent Howard Hepburn is expected to seek an emergency short-term extension. Board members demanded accountability from senior staff, warning that the failures could again draw scrutiny from DeSantis, who removed four Board members in 2022 over similar issues. The audit found financial requirements were altered after bids were submitted, leaving Board members feeling misled and exposed.

“Brightline conductor sues for $60 million, says job on deadly rails caused PTSD” via Brittany Wallman and Susan Merriam of the Miami Herald — A former Brightline conductor has filed a $60 million federal lawsuit accusing the train company and its parent firm of fostering a workplace culture that normalized death, discouraged mental health care, and exposed employees to repeated trauma. Darren J. Brown Jr., who worked for Brightline from 2017 to 2023, alleges he developed severe psychological injuries, including PTSD, after witnessing multiple fatal train strikes and being required to respond directly to gruesome crash scenes. The lawsuit claims Brightline prioritized financial goals over safety upgrades, creating a hazardous work environment along high-risk corridors. Brown says his requests for mental health leave were met with hostility and pressure, effectively forcing him out of the rail industry. Brightline declined to comment, noting it does not discuss ongoing litigation.

“Flying air-taxi service would connect Treasure Coast to South Florida” via Jack Randall of Treasure Coast Newspapers — A future with flying cars may no longer be pie-in-the-sky fantasy. Flying air taxis might soon be touching down on the Treasure Coast. A recently announced South Florida air-taxi network would connect Miami, West Palm Beach, Boca Raton and Fort Lauderdale to Witham Field airport in Stuart and Apogee Golf Club in Hobe Sound. “Why sit in traffic when you can fly above it?” asked Archer Aviation, the company developing the airborne taxis, in a news release announcing the high-flying alternative transportation option — like something straight out of “The Jetsons.” Witham Field is owned and managed by Martin County. The airport’s air-taxi stop is planned for Atlantic Aviation, a national fixed-base operator, according to the company website.

“Miami-Dade leaders celebrate Ron Book’s three decades shaping Homeless Trust” via Ryan Nicol of Florida Politics — Book was celebrated this week for three decades of leadership at the helm of Miami-Dade’s effort to combat homelessness, a tenure credited with helping turn the county into a national model for coordinated care. The Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust and Chapman Partnership honored Book for 30 years of involvement in building and sustaining the Trust, including 21 years as its Chair. The recognition highlighted Book’s long-running role in shaping what is now one of the country’s most recognized Continuums of Care. Book was joined by members of the 1993 Miami-Dade legislative delegation, whose work laid the foundation for the Trust. That delegation passed the 1% food and beverage tax, which created a dedicated funding stream for homelessness services.

— LOCAL: C. FL —

“Central Florida man charged over illegal images of children and animals on Snapchat” via Drew Dixon of Florida Politics — A 35-year-old Oxford man is being charged with multiple felonies in connection with a Florida Office of Statewide Prosecution investigation into online sexual abuse materials. Attorney General James Uthmeier said that investigators focused on 35-year-old Brent Wells and his activity on the online platform Snapchat at his home in the Central Florida town just west of The Villages. Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) agents initiated the investigation on Dec. 3 after getting a cyber tip from the National Center of Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) about sexual abuse materials being uploaded on Wells’ Snapchat account. “Trading in this offensive and disgusting material revictimizes the children who were forced to participate in its production and exploits helpless animals who are unable to speak for themselves,” Uthmeier said. “We have zero tolerance for this depraved behavior in Florida. Our prosecutors will ensure that this predator spends a very long time behind bars.”

“Orange School Board directs Superintendent to close seven schools” via Steven Walker of the Orlando Sentinel — The Orange County School Board agreed that seven under-enrolled schools need to be closed to save money, as the once fast-growing system has lost thousands of students. Superintendent Maria Vazquez recommended the closures, and the eight-member Board, though it did not take a vote during its six-hour meeting, indicated support. “We have now come to the point where we can no longer continue to subsidize the dollars needed at these schools that are significantly under-enrolled,” Vazquez said. The Board will vote on the closures at a later meeting, but Vazquez’s staff will now work on plans to shutter the seven campuses at the end of the current school year and then reassign students and staff to other schools.

— LOCAL: TB —

“Bob Buckhorn pitches mayoral return built on growth, infrastructure and Tampa’s next chapter” via Jesse Mendoza of Florida Politics — Former Tampa Mayor Buckhorn may already be rounding second before other candidates for Tampa’s open mayoral race even step up to the plate. Buckhorn, who served two terms as Tampa’s Mayor from 2011 to 2019, has already raised upward of $1 million for his comeback bid to succeed Mayor Jane Castor, who will be term-limited in 2027. He is fully committed to running to succeed her. “We’re in,” Buckhorn said. “I’m fully in game mode.” Buckhorn’s tenure as Tampa’s Mayor is widely associated with rapid redevelopment and economic growth following the recession, and he says there’s more to accomplish.

“St. Petersburg EDM festival ‘noise’ is a concern, Mayor says” via Colleen Wright of the Tampa Bay Times — Thousands attended the We Belong Here electronic music festival at the St. Pete Pier over the weekend. Still, booming sound levels sparked widespread complaints from residents across St. Petersburg and nearby Gulfport. The two-day event featuring ODESZA and Lane 8 was permitted to be audible up to 5,000 feet, but police determined music carried nearly 4 miles, far exceeding limits and prompting a written noise warning. Mayor Ken Welch said the noise was a concern and ordered an immediate review to prevent a recurrence. Festival organizers said they complied with city requests and pledged to work with officials and neighbors. Police reported 62 calls related to noise but no serious medical incidents, as city leaders reassess how to balance major events with residents’ quality of life.

“St. Pete investor launches Gas Plant redevelopment bid” via Mark Parker of St. Pete Catalyst — Thompson Whitney Blake is preparing a new offer to purchase the Historic Gas Plant District, currently home to Tropicana Field. He also released a video that takes thinly veiled shots at the competition. Blake, founder of St. Petersburg-based Blake Investment Partners, dubbed the Gas Plant’s redevelopment “St. Petersburg 3.0” in an open letter dated Dec. 9. The accompanying video, titled “You Just Can’t Make This Stuff Up,” debuted Monday. The letter notes that the firm will submit its second bid in January. While the local development team will “spend the holidays with family and friends,” they will also be “burning the midnight oil, preparing for this very special opportunity to present to the city a pragmatic, executable proposal.”

“Pinellas County OKs redevelopment of flood-prone mobile home park” via Jack Prator of the Tampa Bay Times — Pinellas County Commissioners unanimously approved plans for a housing development that would replace a frequently flooded Gandy mobile home park. Earlier this year, county officials offered relocation assistance to park residents who were forced to evacuate the park after Hurricane Idalia in 2023. In October, Commissioners denied the park owners’ request to allow 133 units on the property. Park owner Lakeshore MHC sought to rezone the land to a multifamily residential district on Tuesday evening, which would allow up to 64 housing units. Erin Roth, a former Twin City park resident now living in Seminole, pleaded with the Commission to deny the property owners’ latest appeal. “I raised my child there, and it’s torn down now,” she said, standing at the dais. “I don’t think they should have another chance with that property.”

— LOCAL: N. FL —

“UF Trustees name search committee to find new president in Gainesville” via Drew Dixon of Florida Politics — The University of Florida Board of Trustees has established a Presidential Search Advisory Committee to conduct a national search for the school’s next leader. The Committee comprises representatives from across UF and the Florida University System. It consists of a cross section of Trustees, faculty, students, alumni and administrators along with “external stakeholders.” The panel is charged with selecting UF’s 14th president. The new president will replace Ben Sasse, who stepped down from the job at UF in July 2024. Sasse, a former Republican U.S. Senator from Nebraska, was UF president for nearly two years after accepting the post in November 2022.

“‘This is personal’: Cynthia West enters Okaloosa School Board race” via Ryan Nicol of Florida Politics — West has formally announced her campaign for the Okaloosa County School Board seat in District 3, entering a contested local race as 2026 approaches. West’s campaign launch, which circulated this week, sets out a platform focused on fiscal stewardship, support for parental choice and student well-being. “After listening to parents, teachers, and taxpayers across District 3, one thing is clear: our schools need leadership that puts students first, protects taxpayer dollars, and plans ahead,” West said. “Okaloosa County has earned its reputation for high-performing, grade-A schools. I’m running to protect that excellence while ensuring we remain responsible stewards of every dollar entrusted to us.”

— LOCAL: SW. FL —

“Cape Coral Council member declined DUI tests, police say” via Tayeba Hussein of the Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News — A Southwest Florida community leader faces driving under the influence charges just one year after she was elected. Cape Coral Council member Rachel Kaduk, 36, was stopped around 9 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 16, according to arrest affidavits, and is scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 5. Kaduk was elected in November 2024. According to her arrest affidavit, a caller reported a motorist was weaving and nearly sideswiped another vehicle. The caller later told Cape Coral Police they saw the driver traveling north on the 2200 block of Del Prado Boulevard and running the red light at the entrance to the Coral Wood Mall.

“New College Foundation announces $1M gift for ‘Socratic Stage’ program” via Jesse Mendoza of Florida Politics — The New College Foundation has received a $1 million donation from Dr. Michael C. and Ling Z. Markovitz to establish the Markovitz Socratic Stage, a new campus initiative focused on debate, classical learning, and civil discourse. The gift will fund a series of public debates, lectures, and discussion-based events designed to encourage rigorous dialogue among students, faculty, visiting scholars, and the broader community. The program will be integrated into New College’s Logos/Techne curriculum and will operate as a recurring, public-facing forum that emphasizes the free exchange of ideas and intellectual inquiry. College President Richard Corcoran called the donation a defining moment that reinforces New College’s commitment to classical education and intellectual freedom, creating a lasting space for students to think critically, debate openly, and engage meaningfully with complex ideas.

“New schools, rebuilds: How are SW FL schools preparing for growth?” via Mickenzie Hannon of the Naples Daily News — Southwest Florida’s rapid population growth is driving major construction and renovation efforts in both Lee and Collier County School Districts as they prepare for the next decade. Lee County, already operating beyond functional capacity, plans to add more than 14,000 seats through new schools, rebuilds, and larger prototype campuses, with heavy focus on the fast-growing East Zone. Projects include a rebuilt Hector A. Cafferata Jr. K-8 School and a new agriculture-focused high school opening earlier than planned. Collier County, while more stable and maintaining an A rating, is expanding strategically with a new Ave Maria elementary school, athletic upgrades, and workforce-focused programs. Both Districts are using local funding to modernize facilities and align education with future community needs.

— TOP OPINION —

“Indicted, investigated, embarrassing. Two Florida reps show the problem with partisanship” via Scott Maxwell of the Orlando Sentinel — Florida’s congressional delegation offers a blunt lesson in how both parties treat scandal as background noise as long as power is preserved. Ethical behavior, public trust, and basic standards take a back seat to one overriding priority: holding the seat.

Republicans have spent three years looking the other way as Rep. Cory Mills generated one controversy after another, from offensive comments to restraining orders and questions about his record. None of it prompted meaningful condemnation from party leadership because Mills reliably held a safely Republican district. Winning mattered. Everything else was negotiable.

Democrats now face the same reckoning in South Florida. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick was indicted on multiple federal charges tied to disaster funds, yet party leaders responded with praise rather than concern. Even before the indictment, ethics reports raised serious red flags that leadership failed to act on.

The message from both parties is unmistakable: accountability is optional when electoral math works in their favor. Party leaders rarely police their own, preferring to let scandals fade rather than risk losing a seat. That dynamic leaves voters with fewer real choices and lower expectations.

Gerrymandering makes the problem worse. When districts are engineered to guarantee partisan outcomes, Primaries reward extremism instead of competence. Moderation and collaboration become liabilities, while outrage and loyalty tests become assets. The result is representation that reflects party strategy rather than community values.

If anything changes, it will not come from party leadership. It has to come from voters who refuse to excuse misconduct simply because it comes from their political team. Without that pressure, corruption becomes normalized, standards keep slipping, and the cycle repeats itself, election after election.

— MORE OPINIONS —

“Trump confronts a backlash of the reasonable” via E. J. Dionne Jr. of The New York Times — A significant share of the voters who backed Trump have decided that he has largely ignored the primary issue that pushed them his way, the cost of living. A billionaire regularly mocking concerns about affordability only makes matters worse. They see him as distracted by personal obsessions and guilty of overreach, even when they sympathize with his objectives. Many of his former supporters see him breaking promises he made, notably his pledge not to interfere with their access to health care. Some abuses are too blatant to be ignored. A recent The Economist/YouGov poll found that 56% of Americans said Trump was using his office for personal gain, while only 32% disagreed.

“Florida GOP’s mid-decade redistricting effort undermines conservative values” via Mary Anna Mancuso of the Miami Herald — Florida Republicans are moving toward reopening congressional maps drawn just three years ago, and it’s a mistake that undercuts principles they claim to defend. DeSantis and GOP leaders cite potential legal changes and population shifts, but the maps they want to revisit were drawn by DeSantis himself, upheld by the Florida Supreme Court, and delivered decisive Republican victories in 2022 and 2024. Florida voters banned partisan gerrymandering through the Fair Districts amendments, and mid-decade redistricting violates both the spirit and intent of that mandate. Redrawing lines now looks driven by fear of the 2026 Midterms, not necessity. Elections should be decided by candidates and ideas, not partisan cartography. Sacrificing public trust for short-term advantage risks far more than it gains.

“The ghost (students) of public school future?” via William Mattox for Florida Politics — U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon is moving to crack down on “ghost students” defrauding federal financial aid programs. Still, Florida lawmakers are advancing a proposal that would effectively fund ghost students in K-12 public schools. A provision quietly approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee would allow districts to receive funding for students who never enroll or never show up, aiming to stabilize budgets as enrollment declines driven by lower birth rates and the end of federal COVID-era aid. While some districts blame school choice for shrinking rolls, critics argue that paying for nonexistent students is misguided. Many districts have instead adapted by offering a la carte courses to scholarship students and renting unused facilities, creating new revenue without abandoning fiscal accountability.

“Kratom helped me reclaim my life from heroin-don’t ban it” via Chris Carroll for the Fort Myers News-Press — After a decade controlled by heroin addiction, recovery finally came through a kratom-derived compound known as 7-hydroxymitragynine, which helped rebuild a stable life as a parent, spouse, and worker. Now six years sober, the concern is that Florida lawmakers are moving to ban the substance outright by classifying it as a Schedule 1 drug. Supporters of the ban dismiss it as “gas station morphine,” despite its role in helping people escape opioid dependence that often began with prescription painkillers. Critics argue an outright ban ignores lived experience and risks pushing people back toward opioids or street drugs. Rather than prohibition, sensible regulation, including age limits, testing, and labeling, is urged to protect public safety without eliminating a tool that has helped many recover.

— INSTAGRAM OF THE DAY —

— HOLIDAY —

“City asks commuters to avoid Thomasville Road on Elf Night” via Arianna Otero of the Tallahassee Democrat — You may not be able to spot Rudolph’s famous bright red nose, but there will plenty of other twinkling lights for guests to see at the yearly Elf Night at Dorothy B. Oven Park on Dec. 18. Unfortunately, some of those will be the brake lights of the drivers ahead of you in Thomasville Road. Ashley Edwards, director of the city’s Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Affairs department, has overseen the event for years. Her advice hasn’t changed much: For those not going to Elf Night, “we encourage people to avoid Thomasville Road… if at all possible.”

— HAPPY BIRTHDAY —

In addition to our friend Smith, celebrating today are U.S. Reps. Jared Moskowitz and Bill Posey, Rep. Rita Harris, Peter Boulware, Julio Fuentes, Alex Penelas, FRLA President and CEO Carol Dover.

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Sunburn is authored and assembled by Peter Schorsch, Phil Ammann, Daniel Dean, Ryan Nicol, Jacob Ogles, and Drew Wilson.