Sunburn — The morning read of what’s hot in Florida politics — 4.7.26

Good Tuesday morning.

EDGE Communications is expanding into downtown West Palm Beach, signaling a deeper investment in Palm Beach County by the Florida-based Democratic consulting firm.

Founder Christian Ulvert said, “Palm Beach County is one of the most dynamic and important regions in Florida,” adding the move reflects growth and long-term commitment.

Chief of Staff David Cruz Ramos will lead the new office, calling the expansion “a natural next step” as the firm strengthens relationships with clients and community leaders.

Founded by Ulvert, EDGE has built a reputation for campaign strategy and communications, highlighted by its work on Eileen Higgins’ Miami mayoral campaign, which earned national recognition.

Local leaders welcomed the move. Sen. Mack Bernard said the firm has a “strong reputation across Florida,” while Palm Beach County State Attorney Alexcia Cox called the team “trusted partners” who “deliver results.”

Former Palm Beach County State Attorney Dave Aronberg described the expansion as “a great addition for Palm Beach County,” and former Boynton Beach City Commissioner Christina Romelus said the firm “shows up, does the work and gets results,” as EDGE establishes a presence in a key political region.

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Capital Resources, a full-service fundraising and political consulting firm serving Republicans, has added Makayla Paggio to its team as Client Experience Coordinator.

Paggio is a former Legislative Aide to Rep. Josie Tomkow, who is facing term limits this year. In her new role, Paggio will oversee client fundraising events from planning through execution.

Paggio has served with Tomkow since mid-2024, giving her firsthand experience into the high-stakes political operations at play in Tallahassee and beyond.

“Makayla is a rising star in Florida Politics. Her maturity and work ethic served me well, and will be a huge addition to Capital Resources,” Tomkow said of her former staffer.

In addition to working with Tomkow, Paggio also served as a program analyst in the Executive Officer of the Governor and was an intern in the Office of the Speaker of the U.S. House. She also previously helped the Republican Party of Florida plan the Republican National Convention.

Paggio will work directly with clients and donors throughout the event planning process and will be responsible for proactive communication, logistics coordination and execution from start to finish.

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Where is Lauren today? – Updates from the road: Lauren Book is on the move! Today’s Walk heads to Naples, where Lauren and the team will trek alongside Project HELP, the Children’s Advocacy Center of Southwest Florida, ACT, Team Kathleen Passidomo, state Rep. Yvette Benarroch, Lee County Property Appraiser Matt Caldwell, and Naples Chief of Police Ciro Dominguez to raise awareness and support survivors across Southwest Florida. The Voices Project continues to travel with the Walk, capturing powerful survivor stories along the way. Follow along, watch LIVE, or register to walk at LaurensKidsWalk.org!

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Here are a few items that are on my radar:

⚾️ — I enjoyed Opening Day at the Trop. Now you can enjoy this Q&A with Ken Babby: As the Rays return to Tropicana Field, I spoke with Babby, the Rays’ new CEO, about fan experience, new stadium talks and the future of the franchise. Check it out here.

🎧 — Dara Kam chats with newly-elected Sen. Brian Nathan: What does it take to flip a seat blue despite a huge funding disadvantage? That’s the topic Kam addresses in her podcast, “Between the Lines with Dara Kam.” In this week’s episode, Nathan breaks down the strategy that got him across the finish line — by just over 400 votes — and issues he found resonated most with voters this election cycle. The two also address what Nathan’s victory — along with that of Emily Gregory in President Donald Trump’s own backyard — means for this Midterm Election year. Listen here.

🗓️ — Mark your calendar for a lively statewide conversation: Lieutenant Gov. Jay Collins, a 2026 candidate for Governor, and Florida Attorney General candidate José Javier Rodríguez will be featured at The Tiger Bay Club of Central Florida luncheon on Friday, April 17 at the Citrus Club in Orlando from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. to discuss their campaigns and vision for Florida under a new Governor as Ron DeSantis reaches term limits. More information and tickets can be found here.

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“Want more Florida Politics in your Google News feed? There’s a new tool for that.” — Google News has launched a new “preferred sources” feature, allowing users to customize their “Top Stories” feed to display content from their favorite publications prominently.

For followers of Florida’s political landscape, this tool is a game-changer, ensuring they receive timely, in-depth reporting on the Governor’s office, the Legislature, and high-stakes campaigns.

By selecting Florida Politics as a preferred source, readers can prioritize its indispensable coverage, ensuring they see the latest headlines on key issues, such as property insurance and the state budget, first. Here is a simple, step-by-step guide to enable the feature. Don’t forget about other ways to connect, such as through our breaking news text messages, following @Fla_Pol on X, and signing up for newsletters like Last Call, Takeaways from Tallahassee and The Delegation.

— SITUATIONAL AWARENESS —

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—@NASA: A new milestone for humankind: The crew of Artemis II is now the farthest any human has ever traveled, reaching a maximum distance of 252,752 miles from Earth. This surpasses the previous record set by Apollo 13 in 1970 by about 4,102 miles.

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—@Yampeleg: The dumbest person you know is being told ‘you are absolutely right’ by some LLM right now.

— DAYS UNTIL —

Handmaid’s Tale sequel series ‘The Testaments’ premieres — 1; The Masters begin — 2; Jonah Hill’s ‘Outcome’ premieres on Apple TV — 3; Florida TaxWatch Spring Meeting begins — 8; MLB Jackie Robinson Day — 8; ‘Jerry West: The Logo’ premieres on Amazon Prime — 9; First Qualifying Period begins (U.S. Senate) — 13; Florida Housings Solutions Summit — 15; NFL Draft — 16; Federal Qualifying Period ends — 17; F1 Miami begins — 24; ‘Yellowstone’ spinoff ‘Dutton Ranch’ premieres — 38; ‘Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu’ premieres — 45; new mission for ‘Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run’ premieres at Disney World — 45; Marvel’s ‘Spider-Noir’ arrives on Amazon Prime — 50; MLB Lou Gehrig Day — 56; Florida Tech & Innovation Summit — 57; ‘Masters of The Universe’ premieres — 59; ‘Cape Fear’ series premieres on Apple TV — 59; Second Qualifying Period begins (State) — 62; South Africa in the FIFA World Cup opener in Mexico City — 65; Steven Spielberg’s ‘Disclosure Day’ premieres — 66; Qualifying Period ends for Federal, Governor, Cabinet, State and local offices — 66; the Octagon on the White House South Lawn: UFC Freedom 250 — 68; Flag Day — 68; Trump’s 80th birthday — 68; ‘Toy Story 5’ premieres — 73; ‘Supergirl’ premieres — 80; Florida GOP Sunshine State Showdown debates — 80; live-action ‘Moana’ premieres — 85; Primary Election UOCAVA ballot deadline — 88; Primary Election domestic ballot deadline — 93; MLB All-Star Game — 98; Domestic Primary Election VBM deadline — 100; Primary Election voter registration deadline — 104; ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ premieres — 115; Primary Election ballot request deadline — 121; Early voting period begins — 123; Primary Election Day — 133; NFL regular season kicks off — 155; San Francisco 49ers face the Los Angeles Rams in first-ever NFL regular season game in Melbourne, Australia — 156; Yankees host the Mets for 9/11 anniversary — 157; MLB Roberto Clemente Day — 161; General Election UOCAVA ballot deadline — 165; General Election domestic ballot deadline — 170; Domestic General Election VBM deadline — 177; General Election voter registration deadline — 181; Early Voting General Election begins — 200; General Election — 210; ‘Godzilla Minus Zero’ premieres — 213; ‘Dune: Part 3’ premieres — 255; ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ premieres — 255; untitled Star Wars movie premieres — 255; College Football Playoff national title game in Las Vegas — 293; Super Bowl LXI — 313; Tampa Mayoral Election — 329; Jacksonville First Election — 350; Jacksonville General Election — 406; ‘Spider-Man: Beyond The Spider-Verse’ premieres — 424; ‘MIAMI VICE’ reboot premieres — 486; ‘Bluey The Movie’ premieres — 486; ‘The Batman 2’ premieres — 542; ‘Avengers: Secret Wars’ premieres — 619; College Football Playoff national title game in New Orleans — 657; ‘Lilo & Stitch 2’ premieres — 780; ‘Incredibles 3’ premieres — 801; Los Angeles Olympics Opening Ceremony — 829; U.S. Presidential Election — 945; College Football Playoff national title game in Tampa — 1,021; Avatar 4 premieres — 1,345; College Football Playoff national title games in Miami — 1,385; Avatar 5 premieres — 2,076.

— TOP STORY —

“Ron DeSantis again declines to endorse a candidate for Governor” via Shauna Muckle of the Tampa Bay Times — Gov. DeSantis declined to say whether he will endorse a candidate in the Republican Primary for Florida Governor, keeping his plans unclear as the race develops.

Asked directly, DeSantis signaled he would not rush a decision, saying, “When I’ve got something on my mind … people know,” adding that observers can “stand by and just watch.”

His comments mirror earlier remarks in January, when he avoided committing to Lt. Gov. Collins, though he described Collins as “a good guy” who “served this country admirably.”

Collins, now a candidate for Governor, said he is working to earn support and pointed to DeSantis’ past praise and appointment as signals of backing “in actions and words.”

Former House Speaker Paul Renner is also seeking support, while Trump has endorsed Byron Donalds, who leads in early polling and fundraising.

Polling shows DeSantis maintaining strong approval ratings, with more than half of respondents approving of his performance, compared to about 46% for Trump, underscoring his continued influence in the Primary.

— 2026 —

Gubernatorial candidate Donald’s “Defending the Florida Dream” tour will swing into Melbourne this week. There, the Naples Republican will hold a roundtable with Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey and House Majority Leader Tyler Sirois on public safety.

The event begins at 10:30 a.m. at Carroll Distributing.

The tour, which kicked off Monday in The Villages, will bring Donalds, now a U.S. Representative, around the state for a series of policy-driven events, rooted in the agenda pillars of affordability, achievability and accountability. Other events will focus on health care, education, and expanding economic opportunities in the state.

Donalds’ campaign said that as affordability becomes the defining issue for voters in the 2026 Midterms, he will position himself as the candidate for Governor with a forward-looking vision plan to ‘protect and strengthen the Florida dream.”

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A former Democratic Primary opponent to Senate candidate Alex Vindman is endorsing him. In turn, he’s backing Hector Mujica’s challenge to U.S. Rep. Carlos Giménez.

Both Democrats previously challenged Republican U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody, but Mujica just entered a potentially competitive U.S. House race. Vindman and Mujica offered mutual support in their respective federal campaigns.

“I’m excited to endorse Hector Mujica for Congress. I met Hector out on the campaign trail, and one thing was clear right away: Hector’s not a career politician, he’s someone who saw what was happening in his state and stepped up to fight for his community,” Vindman said.

“Washington politicians have only made Florida harder to live in. Costs are through the roof, and corruption is rampant. Families are feeling it every single day. Hector won’t back down from fighting for working families. He understands what people are up against and he’s focused on actually delivering results and bringing costs down for Floridians.”

Mujica said Vindman is the best candidate in the statewide race.

“One of the joys of running for office is getting to know new people and making new friends. For the past several months, while running for the U.S. Senate, I’ve gotten to know a patriot and dedicated leader, Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman,” Mujica said.

“Alex, a combat veteran and Purple Heart recipient, served his country with distinction for over 20 years. When he saw corruption at the highest level, he called it out and stood up for what was right. Now he is standing up to serve Floridians in the United States Senate. As I make my own transition to running for Congress in Florida’s 28th District, I am honored to endorse Alexander Vindman for the U.S. Senate, and even more honored to call him a friend. I hope you will join me in making sure Alexander Vindman is the next Senator from the great State of Florida!”

— STATEWIDE —

“DeSantis signs domestic terrorist bill that Democrats fear will lead to crackdown on college liberals” via Gabrielle Russon of Florida Politics — DeSantis has signed legislation that gives him new authority to designate domestic terrorist organizations and allows colleges to expel students involved in those groups. DeSantis signed HB 1471 during a news conference in Tampa. “This will help the state of Florida protect you. It’ll help us protect your tax dollars. It’ll help us protect things that should not be happening in the United States of America, but certainly shouldn’t be happening in the free state of Florida,” DeSantis said, calling the new law “a big deal” that “spans finance, spans political, spans culture.” DeSantis added that “the federal government does this all the time.” “We need to be doing that here,” he said.

“Florida communities with highest climate change risk face new Tallahassee hurdles” via Kylie Williams of POLITICO — More than a dozen cities and counties statewide have committed to bold net-zero or fully renewable energy policies, aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and transitioning to renewable energy sources. Most of these communities are coastal, directly facing sea-level rise, damaging hurricanes and sunny-day flooding. But a bill that passed Florida’s Legislature and is expected to be signed by DeSantis would impose a sweeping ban on limiting greenhouse gases — a move some local governments say could undo years of progress. “I wish Tallahassee would let us do the business of running government,” said Raquel Regalado, a Republican Miami-Dade County Commissioner.

“Speed cameras in Florida school zones work. Critics are missing the point” via Graham Brink of the Tampa Bay Times — Speed cameras aren’t a solution in search of a problem. The state’s roads are dangerous, with one of the highest crash rates per mile driven. Several of its metro areas rank among the deadliest for pedestrians, including Miami and Tampa Bay. Speeding is a leading cause. Speed cameras are proven to work. They helped reduce crashes by up to 39% and fatalities by up to 68% in a study of thousands of camera sites in England, Scotland and Wales. A study in Fort Walton Beach found that speeding violations in school zones fell by 95% after cameras were installed. Fewer than 10% who received a violation reoffended. Drivers will change their behavior. They just need clear incentives.

“Step Up For Students says school choice voucher applications are up despite concerns” via Gabrielle Russon of Florida Politics — A rising number of students are seeking the taxpayer-funded school choice vouchers, with 500,000 already applying for next school year since the window opened Feb. 1, Step Up For Students said. Voucher popularity continues to rise even as lawmakers have raised concerns about transparency and missing money in the state’s booming voucher program. Despite concerns, the Legislature failed to pass any major reforms in the 2026 Session. A record-breaking 200,000 applications were submitted during the first three days of the application period, according to Step Up For Students, the nonprofit in charge of administering many of the vouchers.

“Florida Bar, Supreme Court discipline eight lawyers for misconduct” via Drew Dixon of Florida Politics — The Florida Bar and Florida Supreme Court have disciplined eight more lawyers after misconduct findings. The most severe penalty was imposed on Michael Stephen Stanfield, a Jacksonville lawyer whose license was revoked. A Florida Bar news release said Stanfield had four disciplinary cases centered on client neglect and a misdemeanor conviction for reckless driving. The earliest he can reapply is 30 days following the revocation order. Six lawyers were suspended after a review of their cases involving misconduct. The final lawyer, Max Richard Price Jr. of Miami, received a public reprimand for a dispute over a co-counsel legal fee in a civil case settlement.

— D.C. MATTERS —

“At Easter Egg Roll, Donald Trump tells the children about the war” via Maura Judkis of The Washington Post — Trump mixed policy remarks with tradition during the White House Easter Egg Roll, speaking about both rising global tensions and domestic issues. Addressing the rescue of a downed U.S. pilot in Iran, he said such missions are rare because “you lose 200 in order to pick up one,” highlighting the risks involved. Trump also pointed to economic concerns, noting egg prices “came down 40%, 50%” after last year’s spike. On foreign policy, he warned, “we’re never going to allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon,” even if Americans must “pay a little extra for fuel.” First Lady Melania Trump emphasized the event’s significance, calling it “a very special Easter Egg Roll” tied to the nation’s 250th anniversary.

“Trump renews threat of attacks on Iran bridges and power plants” via Zolan Kanno-Youngs, Erika Solomon and Richard Pérez-Peña of The New York Times — Trump escalated pressure on Iran as a new 10-point proposal emerged through mediators, calling it “a significant step” but insisting “it’s not good enough” ahead of a looming deadline. The proposal includes reopening the Strait of Hormuz, lifting sanctions and outlining reconstruction terms, though key details remain undisclosed. Trump reiterated demands for “free traffic of oil” and warned of severe consequences if no deal is reached. Iran signaled it seeks a permanent end to hostilities and guarantees against future attacks. Analysts note that the gap between the two sides remains wide, with negotiations continuing under tight timelines. The latest development underscores ongoing diplomatic efforts even as military threats persist and tensions remain high.

“Trump says God supports U.S. cause in Iran war as he threatens wider bombing” via Natalie Allison of The Washington Post — Trump is increasingly framing the war with Iran in religious terms, saying he believes divine support backs U.S. actions. “I do, because God is good,” Trump said, adding that “God wants to see people taken care of,” even as he acknowledged, “God doesn’t like what’s happening.” His comments come as he renews threats to expand strikes, including targeting infrastructure, while offering shifting explanations for the conflict’s goals. Critics, including religious leaders, have pushed back, with some calling the rhetoric a “dangerous escalation.” Trump also pointed to past diplomacy, saying ending conflicts “makes me much happier than what we’re doing right now,” underscoring tensions between military action and stated preferences for peace.

“Pete Hegseth likens Easter rescue of U.S. airman to resurrection of Jesus Christ” via Chris Cameron of The New York Times — Defense Secretary Hegseth likened the rescue on Easter Sunday of a missing American airman shot down over Iran to the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Minutes later, speaking at the same news conference describing the military operation, Trump asserted that God supports the Israeli-U.S. war against Iran, which has killed thousands, including many civilians. Trump said, “God doesn’t like what’s happening. I don’t like what’s happening. Everyone says I enjoy it. I don’t enjoy this.” In his account of the rescue operation, Hegseth drew parallels between the airman’s ordeal and the account of Christ’s death and resurrection given in the Bible. The F-15E fighter jet, he noted, was “shot down on a Friday — Good Friday.” That is the day Jesus was crucified.

“Cory Mills meets with Syrian President in Damascus” via Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics — U.S. Rep. Mills made a solo trip to meet with Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa in Damascus. That marks at least the second unofficial trip in the last year to meet with the new Syrian President, who previously fought for an al-Qaeda-tied faction in the region. Al-Sharaa’s Office promoted the meeting on its own social media. “President Ahmad Al-Sharaa received, today at the People’s Palace in Damascus, U.S. Congressman Cory Lee Mills,” reads a post on X, accompanied by photos of the Syrian leader with Mills. “During the meeting, discussions took place on the current regional and international situations, as well as a number of issues of common interest.”

— ELECTIONS —

“David Jolly says FL Dems can’t presume they’ve won ‘hearts and minds’ after recent wins” via the Florida Phoenix — The two upset legislative victories by Democrats in Hillsborough and Palm Beach counties last week came in part because the candidates received considerable support from independents and Republicans who crossed party lines. Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jolly says that’s the only way he can win in November, so he’s actively courting those voters in his bid to become the first Democrat to sit in the Governor’s mansion in Tallahassee in nearly three decades. “Let’s not fool ourselves. As Democrats, we need to lead a coalition strong enough to bring in independents and Republicans in a moment when people are screaming for change and begging for change,” Jolly said in front of several hundred enthusiastic supporters at La Teresita restaurant.

“Is Jolly riding an offshore blue wave? His Q1 fundraising suggests momentum is building” via Janelle Irwin Taylor of Florida Politics — Florida gubernatorial candidate Jolly has raised $1 million since two Special Election wins last month that saw Democrats upset favored Republicans. Throughout the first quarter of 2026 and a short portion of April, Jolly’s campaign raised $2 million. Jolly has now raised $5 million total since he entered the race in June. The $5 million total pales in comparison to Jolly’s likely Republican opponent should he win the Democratic nomination. GOP front-runner Donalds has raised more than $67 million for his race, including more than $22 million in the first quarter. But while it’s a much lower number, Jolly’s most recent haul signals momentum for the Democrat. “Floridians are hungry for leadership focused on lowering costs and bringing people together to solve Florida’s urgent problems. This outpouring of support shows that donors across our state and the country recognize Florida is in play and that we are building a formidable campaign capable of winning this race,” Jolly said.

“Richard Lamondin expected to pivot from congressional run to SD 38 challenge” via Jesse Scheckner of Florida Politics — Democratic entrepreneur Lamondin is expected to be announcing soon that he’s exiting the race for Florida’s 27th Congressional District and will instead seek the similarly Republican-held seat representing Senate District 38. The move — which Lamondin hinted at on X that he’ll announce Tuesday — would come nearly a year to the day he first teased his inaugural run for public office. It’s also relatively lateral; much of SD 38 sits in CD 27, and Lamondin has been engaging voters across the Miami-Dade County District since early April 2025. If he indeed switches to SD 38, he will challenge Republican Sen. Alexis Calatayud, who flipped the seat red in 2022.

“Eliott Rodriguez reports $312K raised in 21 days for CD 27” via Jesse Scheckner of Florida Politics — Democrat Rodriguez amassed $312,000 over his first 21 days running for Florida’s 27th Congressional District, according to preliminary figures from his campaign. The veteran Miami TV news anchor announced his candidacy for CD 27 on March 10. Over the next 21 days, he stacked more than $100,000 per week, his camp said, adding that the total came from “hundreds of individual donors.” March 31, the last day of the first quarter, was Rodriguez’s strongest fundraising day to date — a sign, his camp said, of “accelerating support.” “This is what consolidation looks like,” Rodriguez’s campaign strategist, Fernand Amandi, said in a statement.

“Felipe Sousa-Lazaballet raises $183K, gets new endorsements for HD 42 race” via Gabrielle Russon of Florida Politics — Sousa-Lazaballet has raised more than $183,000 in his campaign for House District 42 and continues to gain endorsements as he seeks to replace term-limited Rep. Anna Eskamani. The Democrat is running in a District covering Orlando, Winter Park and Maitland and is expected to face Republican Bonnie Jackson. His campaign said fundraising includes both his official account and the Thriving Together political committee. Recent endorsements include Shevrin Jones, Kevin Chambliss, Jervonte Edmonds and Ashley Gantt. Chambliss said Sousa-Lazaballet’s work was “demonstrative of the kind of critical leadership he will provide.” Sousa-Lazaballet said, “I am so honored” by the support as he builds a grassroots campaign focused on affordability concerns.

“Lori Berman, Fentrice Driskell lead flood of Dems endorsing Samuel Vilchez Santiago in HD 43” via Gabrielle Russon of Florida Politics — Vilchez Santiago says he has won the support of a majority of the Florida Democratic lawmakers in his bid for House District 43. Vilchez Santiago is a Democrat vying for the seat currently occupied by Rep. Johanna López, who is not seeking re-election and is running for Orange County Board of Commissioners. He is currently set to face Republican Robert Prater, who unsuccessfully ran for the Orange County School Board in 2018 and the House in 2019. Senate Democratic Leader Berman and House Democratic Leader Driskell are backing Vilchez Santiago, according to his latest campaign press release. “We need leaders who will stand firm in protecting our rights and advancing policies that support families,” Berman said in a statement.

“Michael Holderness eyes HD 71 bid to replace Will Robinson after Kristen Truong withdraws” via Jesse Mendoza of Florida Politics — Businessman and former Fire Commissioner Holderness is weighing a run for the House after Truong withdrew from the race to succeed term-limited Bradenton Republican Rep. Robinson. That opens the door for a reshaped GOP Primary for House District 71 in Manatee County. Holderness, a conservative business leader, said he is “seriously considering” entering the contest in response to Truong’s departure. Holderness said he will meet with key stakeholders over the coming weeks to thoroughly evaluate the impact his candidacy could have on the race. “Kristen Truong’s departure creates a profound opening in this race, and it’s one that I believe requires a strong, conservative voice rooted in our community,” Holderness said in a statement.

— LOCAL: S. FL —

“Emily Gregory to be sworn in for HD 87 seat Tuesday at Palm Beach Gardens City Hall” via Jesse Scheckner of Florida Politics — Gregory, whose upset Special Election victory last month helped to invigorate talk of a November blue wave, will be sworn in to her House District 87 seat Tuesday afternoon. Former Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice Barbara Pariente will officiate the 4 p.m. swearing-in ceremony, held in the Council Chambers of Palm Beach Gardens City Hall. Community members, elected leaders and supporters will be in attendance, according to a media advisory from Gregory’s Office. “Florida Democrats are on the right side of the issues, and we have the momentum,” Gregory told CNN News Central, adding that candidates should lean into affordability issues, though not in a one-size-fits-all fashion.

“Ballots cast Tuesday, counted later: Surfside Mayoral Runoff results pushed to April 28, Judge rules” via Jesse Scheckner of Florida Politics — A Runoff for Surfside Mayor that was to be decided this week won’t be finished until the end of the month, Miami-Dade Judge Lourdes Simon decided, ruling that administering the election during Passover would disenfranchise voters. Voters will still go to the polls on Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., as originally planned, to choose whether they want former Mayor Shlomo Danzinger or Vice Mayor Tina Paul to take over as the town’s top elected official. But results from that day won’t be released until after 7 p.m. on April 28, through which vote-by-mail ballots for the contest will be accepted.

“Annette Taddeo weighs run for her old Senate seat as Dems seek to build on recent wins” via Jesse Scheckner of Florida Politics — Former state Sen. Taddeo is strongly considering another run at elected office, this time for a very familiar post. Multiple sources have said that Taddeo plans to run for her old seat representing what is now Senate District 38, which she left to run for Congress in 2022. Several elected officials, consultants and politicos have been encouraging Taddeo to run, reasoning that her relatively strong name recognition, personal background, fundraising track record and proven ability to win in the District would make her a strong challenger to her Republican successor, Alexis Calatayud.

“Welcome to Miami: America’s most ICE-besieged city” via Adrian Carrasquillo of The Bulwark — Miami is leading the nation in Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrests, with roughly 9,900 detentions from December through March, a pace Mayor Higgins described as “quieter, but there is more of it.” The surge reflects policy shifts targeting immigrants whose legal protections expired, including those under temporary protected status. “At midnight, they became undocumented,” Higgins said, noting authorities already know “where they live, where they work.” The crackdown is fueling fear across South Florida and raising concerns about economic fallout, particularly in health care, where thousands of workers face deportation. “We are scared here, people are scared,” Higgins said, warning that the impact extends beyond immigrants to entire communities and essential services.

— LOCAL: C. FL —

“Nick Nesta’s push to charge Apopka Mayor’s wife in 2024 ‘poking’ incident impacts mayoral race” via Silas Morgan of the Orlando Sentinel — An Apopka mayoral candidate once filed a police report against the incumbent Mayor’s wife for allegedly pushing him — a move that nearly two years later, amid an already heated campaign, has led the Mayor to endorse another candidate as his successor. Apopka Commissioner Nesta, then 34, told police in July 2024 that Deborah Nelson, the then-66-year-old wife of Apopka Mayor Bryan Nelson, had twice pushed him on the chest while the two spoke at a local event, according to a police report. Nelson told police she had poked Nesta once with her finger. No charges were filed.

“February was the 11th record month for tourist taxes. Will war end the run?” via Stephen Hudak of the Orlando Sentinel — Orange County’s record run of tourist tax collections stretched to 11 consecutive months with February’s receipts totaling $38.1 million, the most ever for a February, Comptroller Phil Diamond announced. The total was $2.68 million better than in February 2025, said Diamond, whose office tracks collections and spending revenue from the Tourist Development Tax. Collections are considered a key gauge of the local tourism industry’s health. But these numbers were tallied before the United States’ war with Iran, which has significantly pushed up gas prices. More expensive visits to the gas pump could affect visits to the region and, in turn, tax receipts in the next reporting period.

“Brevard County to weigh AI tax breaks, $66M sewer funds” via Jim Waymer of Florida Today — Sewage and AI data centers are among the key environmental issues on Tuesday’s Brevard County Commission agenda. Commissioners will consider a plan to pursue more than $66 million in state funding for South Beaches sewer projects, followed by a measure to stop any future artificial intelligence data centers from receiving property tax breaks. Tuesday’s meeting includes a discussion of more than $66 million in loans from the State Revolving Fund for South Beaches sewer projects. As part of the State Revolving Fund process, a public hearing is required to explain the proposed projects, the capital costs and the long-term financial impact on customers and to give the public a chance to participate in evaluating the project alternatives.

“Flagler appoints interim county admin, Heidi Petito’s out April 11” via Brenno Carillo of the Daytona Beach News-Journal — A month after the Flagler Board of County Commissioners approved a mutual separation agreement with County Administrator Petito, the Board appointed her temporary replacement. Adam Mengel, the county’s growth management director, will take over as interim County Administrator starting April 11, which will also mark Petito’s last day. Petito has faced criticism from a majority of Board members since the end of 2025, culminating in the mutual separation agreement on March 2. Part of the agreement established that she could stay until no later than July, but with the possibility of an earlier departure. With former Deputy County Administrator Percy Sayles’ resignation days before Petito announced her departure, Mengel had been serving in that role since March 11.

“Bartow voters to decide Commission race, charter overhaul Tuesday” via Paul Nutcher of The Ledger of Lakeland — Bartow voters head to the polls April 7 to choose a City Commissioner for Seat 4 and weigh four charter amendments that would shift municipal elections from April to November to boost turnout and reduce costs. Incumbent Gary Ball faces challengers Randy Niles and Eric Wells in the at-large race, while candidate Molly O’Bryant withdrew after qualifying but remains listed on the ballot. Ball, a first-term Commissioner, points to experience in public safety and infrastructure planning, while Niles campaigns on preserving community character and managing growth. The Seat 5 East District race is uncontested, with Leo E. Longworth retaining his seat. All voting will take place at the Bartow Civic Center.

“Orlando lawyer versus the NBA over a partnership deal with Emirates Airline” via Gabrielle Russon of Florida Politics — An Orlando lawyer is going up against the NBA as he represents a California businessman accusing the basketball league of icing him out of a partnership deal with Emirates Airline. Paul Edalat, an American-Iranian executive in the pharmaceutical industry, claims he was asked in 2014 to facilitate a partnership between the NBA and Emirates to help expose U.S. professional basketball to the Middle East. Edalat accused the NBA of going behind his back years later to approve the 2024 deal and taking advantage of Edalat’s previous work and contacts, according to his federal lawsuit against NBA Properties, the NBA’s marketing, merchandising and licensing arm.

— LOCAL: TB —

“Charlie Crist-aligned political committee launches first TV ad” via Janelle Irwin Taylor of Florida Politics — Celebrating Opening Day for the Tampa Bay Rays, a political committee aligned with Crist is running an ad on local channels featuring the former Governor celebrating the rich history of baseball in St. Pete. The ad comes as Crist is expected to announce a run for Mayor soon, challenging incumbent Mayor Ken Welch. The ad briefly touches on the politics behind baseball in St. Pete, which hosts the Tampa Bay Rays’ current home at Tropicana Field. Previous Rays leadership backed out of its agreement with the city of St. Pete and Pinellas County to redevelop the Historic Gas Plant District, where Tropicana Field is located. Now, the team is planning to move across the Bay to Tampa, a move that has frustrated some in St. Pete. “Our community is facing important decisions about the future of baseball. It’ll be important that we have leaders with the right vision,” Crist says in the ad before pivoting away from politics. “Today, let’s put that aside and cheer on our team,” he said, adding, “play ball!”

To watch the ad, please click the image below:

“Brandi Gabbard kicking off campaign Tuesday as St. Petersburg mayoral candidates build early war chests” via Jesse Mendoza of Florida Politics — Gabbard’s campaign will host an April 7 kickoff at 5:30 p.m. at 15th Street Farm in St. Petersburg, according to a digital invitation circulating online. The event aims to rally early supporters and donors as candidates look to build financial momentum ahead of first quarter campaign finance reports due April 10. The event comes just after the March 31 fundraising cutoff, meaning totals from the kickoff itself won’t appear until the next reporting period. The kickoff marks one of Gabbard’s first organized campaign events. Gabbard has focused her campaign on long-term planning and proactive governance.

“Bob Buckhorn continues fundraising momentum; hits $1.8M banked” via Janelle Irwin Taylor of Florida Politics — Buckhorn will have plenty of cash available for an eventual mayoral bid, with another strong fundraising quarter for his affiliated political committee, Friends of Bob Buckhorn. The PC raised another $400,000 in the first quarter of 2026, bringing the total banked to $1.8 million. The strong showing comes after Buckhorn’s PC similarly raised nearly $415,000 in the fourth quarter of 2025. “I’ve always believed Tampa’s strength comes from its people, not its politics. The support we’re receiving is about neighbors coming together around a shared vision — a Tampa for all of us, where every neighborhood is lifted up, and no one is left behind. That’s what this campaign is about,” Buckhorn told Florida Politics.

“Jane Castor cheers Rays return to Tropicana Field while negotiations for Tampa relocation loom” via Jesse Mendoza of Florida Politics — Tampa Mayor Castor is cheering the Tampa Bay Rays’ return to Tropicana Field this week — their first game back in St. Petersburg since Hurricane Milton destroyed the roof — calling the moment symbolic of the region’s broader recovery from the storms. The homecoming follows a season spent at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa and has been met with strong fan enthusiasm, with tickets to Monday’s opener selling out well before first pitch. Castor said the return to a fully repaired Tropicana Field is bittersweet — as the Rays move back across the bay to St. Petersburg, for now, as negotiations continue over a potential long-term move to a new ballpark in Tampa.

“USF, Tampa General land $2M to expand rural cancer care” via Peter Schorsch of Florida Politics — In Florida alone, more than 662,000 residents live in non-metropolitan areas, where limited access to specialty cancer care and lagging screening rates often result in late-stage diagnoses of preventable cancers. One of those is cervical cancer, which is on the rise in rural communities. In some Florida counties, more than half of patients who are diagnosed are already in advanced stages. Too often, this results from patients’ inability to access timely follow-up care after an abnormal screening result. With nearly $2 million in support from the Florida Cancer Innovation Fund, the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine and the Tampa General Hospital Cancer Institute are working to eliminate geographic barriers to cervical cancer care.

— LOCAL: N. FL —

“Reggie Gaffney, Sr. launches comeback bid for Jacksonville City Council” via A.G. Gancarski of Florida Politics — Former Jacksonville City Council member Gaffney Sr. has filed to run for District 10 in the 2027 Election, seeking a return to the Council after serving from 2015 to 2022. He said he is running because “the people asked” him to return and cited encouragement from local leaders, including incumbent Ju’Coby Pittman. Gaffney had considered a state House bid but did not pursue it. The race already includes multiple candidates from different parties, while his son, Reggie Gaffney Jr., currently serves on the Council and is running for re-election. Gaffney’s entry adds another experienced candidate to a crowded field and could shape the dynamics of the upcoming contest.

— LOCAL: SW. FL —

“Cape Coral First Amendment fight grows over logo cease-and-desist order” via Mickenzie Hannon of the Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News — The city of Cape Coral is facing a legal fight after ordering residents and a local watchdog group to remove city logos from online posts. The city threatened fines and jail time. The dispute comes from a cease-and-desist letter sent to members of the Take Out The Trash Committee of Cape Coral, a group that has been critical of city leadership. The letter gave recipients 24 hours to remove city seals and logos from their website and social media, stating the images were used without authorization and warning that continued use could result in penalties, including imprisonment. Those targeted are now pushing back, arguing the city is trying to restrict political speech.

— TOP OPINION —

“The light that changed my life” via David French of The New York Times — Growing up in a strict Christian tradition meant rejecting holidays like Christmas and Easter as “pagan vestiges,” shaping an early but incomplete understanding of faith.

Some teachings never fully took hold, but without exposure to alternatives, there was little reason to question them. That changed later, when encountering broader expressions of Christianity opened the door to a deeper understanding.

A defining moment came during an Easter Vigil service in law school, where darkness gave way to candlelight symbolizing resurrection. The experience felt like a “revelation,” transforming abstract belief into something vivid and shared.

The symbolism pointed to a central claim: that Christ’s resurrection, if true, “changes everything,” offering eternal life and reshaping the meaning of existence.

That realization reframed how people are seen — not as temporary beings, but as individuals with eternal souls, making cruelty, especially in the name of faith, all the more disturbing.

At a time marked by anxiety and division, there are signs of renewed spiritual curiosity, particularly among younger people searching for purpose and meaning.

Memories of those lost bring that belief into focus, captured in a simple expression: “We miss you,” a statement grounded in the conviction that death is not the end.

— MORE OPINIONS —

“AG James Uthmeier breaks precedent on nonviolent felon gun rights“ via Danielle Campbell for Florida Politics — Uthmeier broke with precedent by arguing that a blanket ban on firearm possession for all felons is unconstitutional when applied to nonviolent offenders, citing Morgan v. State of Florida. He wrote that the Second Amendment allows disarming dangerous individuals, not categorically stripping rights from all felons, and applied the Supreme Court’s text-and-history test in a supplemental brief. Each year, thousands are arrested under Florida statute 790.23, many tied to nonviolent offenses. That approach sweeps in people who have served their time yet return to high-crime communities without the legal ability to defend themselves. Treating minor, nonviolent offenders the same as violent criminals fuels mass incarceration and fails to improve public safety.

“SB 1296 isn’t about accountability — it silences Florida public workers” via Antonio White for Florida Politics — SB 1296 is drawing scrutiny as critics argue existing oversight already ensures accountability for Florida’s public-sector unions. A recent complaint reviewed by the Public Employees Relations Commission demonstrated that “the system worked exactly as designed,” with established processes addressing concerns under current law. Supporters say the bill enhances transparency, while opponents question why new requirements are needed if accountability mechanisms are already in place. The proposal would introduce additional reporting rules and administrative layers affecting a wide range of public employees. Critics also note uneven application across different unions, raising questions about consistency. As debate continues, the central issue remains whether the legislation strengthens oversight or creates new barriers for public workers operating under existing regulatory frameworks.

“This is what will ruin public opinion polling for good” via Leif Weatherby and Benjamin Recht for The New York Times — A recent Axios report highlighted concerns about “findings” on maternal health that were later revealed to be generated by artificial intelligence rather than real respondents. The practice, known as silicon sampling, uses AI models to simulate public opinion at a lower cost and faster speed than traditional polling. Supporters argue it can overcome declining response rates, but critics warn it undermines the purpose of polling, which is to measure actual human views. Experts note that even traditional polls rely on imperfect modeling, but AI-driven simulations may amplify bias. One analysis found that such systems can reflect the assumptions of their creators rather than real sentiment. As adoption grows, concerns are mounting that synthetic data could erode trust in public opinion research and distort decision-making.

— INSTAGRAM OF THE DAY —

— ALOE —

Now that’s the way to start a season — “HRs lead Rays over Cubs 6-4 in return to Tropicana Field” via Rob Maaddi of The Associated Press — The Tampa Bay Rays returned to Tropicana Field after 561 days with a 6-4 win over the Chicago Cubs before a sellout crowd of 25,114. Cedric Mullins, Jonathan Aranda and Junior Caminero each homered as Tampa Bay celebrated its first game back following Hurricane Milton damage that forced the team to play the 2025 season at Steinbrenner Field. Shane McClanahan, making his first Trop start since 2023 after multiple injuries, allowed two runs over four innings, saying his return marked a long-awaited moment. Kevin Kelly earned the win, and Bryan Baker secured the save. Tampa Bay overcame an early deficit, with Mullins tying the game and Caminero extending the lead as the Rays capped a milestone homecoming victory.

— HAPPY BIRTHDAY —

Best wishes to Rep. Peggy Gossett-Seidman, former Sen. Annette Taddeo, Erica DiCeglie, Veronica Rudie, and Chris Turner.

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