AGP Executive Report

Florida Primary Countdown: With the Aug. 18 election hours away, Florida’s governor race is the headline test of President Trump’s influence, as Byron Donalds and Jay Collins make final pitches in a closed-primary state where party registration locks your ballot. Voting Logistics: Early voting ticked up in Sarasota and Manatee, but officials urge voters to double-check precinct assignments and bring proper photo ID; vote-by-mail ballots must be received by 7 p.m. Campaign Money: The state’s matching-funds program shows David Jolly and Byron Donalds leading among gubernatorial hopefuls, underscoring how fundraising strength could shape outcomes. Religion vs. State Policy: Florida Catholic bishops are pushing back on Attorney General James Uthmeier over vaccine-exemption pressure tied to school-choice funding, arguing First Amendment limits are being crossed. Legal/Policy Fight: A federal court fight is also brewing over Florida’s ban on law firms using celebrity voices and images in ads, with Morgan & Morgan challenging the Florida Bar’s rules. Local Governance: Sanibel’s fire district approved station and apparatus procurement changes as it also plans for a commissioner retirement.

Florida Primary Countdown: With early voting now over, Florida heads into Tuesday’s Aug. 18 primary with polls open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Osceola voters reminded they’ll need to vote in their home precinct if they skipped mail and early sites. Gubernatorial Race Focus: GOP governor hopeful Byron Donalds made a final push in Boca Raton, pitching “affordability” and insurance reform as he tries to win the nomination to succeed term-limited Gov. Ron DeSantis. Turnout Snapshot: Statewide early voting and accepted mail-in ballots totaled about 1.82 million, roughly 13.5% turnout so far. Progressive Challenge in Florida: A new look at whether progressive Democrats can break through in Florida highlights two Black women lawmakers—Rep. Angie Nixon for U.S. Senate and Rep. Dotie Joseph for governor—aiming to turn affordability and universal health care into statewide momentum. Policy Spotlight (Kids & Autism): Florida’s Medicaid review of ABA therapy spending puts a spotlight on how much the state has spent on autism-related treatment and what regulators may change next. National/Florida Crosscurrents: A Florida man pleaded guilty after OpenAI flagged his ChatGPT “murder plot” to the FBI, underscoring how AI monitoring is reaching real-world criminal cases. Space Coast Event: NASA’s Kennedy Space Center is set to host the Max Power Aerospace Expo featuring the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds. Sports Note: The baseball world mourns Tommy John, the Bradenton-born pitcher whose surgery became his namesake.

Heat Advisory: Central Florida is baking again, with Volusia and Flagler under a heat advisory through Sunday evening as feels-like temps near 110 and rain chances stay low. Election Integrity & Free Speech: A dispute over bogus copyright takedowns is reportedly scrubbing political coverage from Google ahead of Florida’s Aug. 18 primary, raising fresh alarms about automated suppression. Primary Politics (Local): In Okeechobee County, several races were effectively decided early because candidates ran unopposed, leaving voters with fewer contested local choices. Sarasota Dark-Money Probe: New records allege a nonprofit “war room” was built to steer Sarasota County commission races, with internal files reportedly directing voters to specific candidates. Everglades Legal Fight: Updated filings in the Alligator Alcatraz case claim state and federal officials withheld key details from judges about federal involvement in the detention center. Federal Policy Watch: The Trump administration’s proposed Head Start overhaul would cut or rewrite more than 1,400 rules, drawing warnings from providers about weaker protections for low-income families. Congressional Spotlight: Florida’s 27th District race features Robin Peguero’s push on housing, health costs, and immigration reform as voters head to the primary.

Florida Primary Countdown: With Tuesday’s Aug. 18 elections looming, candidates and voters are in the final push after early voting closed in parts of Northwest Florida, and officials say turnout is still the big question. Gubernatorial Race: Rapper Nicki Minaj endorsed Byron Donalds in the GOP governor primary, while David Jolly’s campaign argues the race is about Florida’s affordability crisis and names Gwen Graham as running mate. 7th District GOP: A new poll shows challenger Ryan Elijah leading Cory Mills, and the primary is set to decide who faces the likely general-election opponent. Property Tax Amendment Fight: Florida’s AG rewrote Amendment 3 ballot language after a court ruling, keeping the measure’s wording in play as voters weigh costs and exemptions. Parental Rights HB 173: Florida House Bill 173 is advancing as a major flashpoint over what parents can control in schools and minors’ healthcare. Local Governance: Miami voters will decide the fate of the historic Miami Marine Stadium, and Stuart commissioners are moving toward a referendum undoing a Haney Creek land deal. Public Safety & Courts: Federal grants sent more than $3.5 million to law enforcement in the Middle District of Florida. Immigration Enforcement: A Colombia man was sentenced for using stolen identity to vote in Florida elections.

Florida Primary Watch: Voters in Bonita Springs head to the polls Tuesday on a $35 million bond referendum to fund the Bonita Estero Rail Trail, with supporters touting a long-term community investment and opponents warning about higher property taxes. U.S. House Campaign Fight: Rep. Randy Fine is asking the FBI to investigate alleged unreported campaign spending tied to his GOP primary opponent Dan Bilzerian and Lake County Commissioner Anthony Sabatini. Senate Accountability Clash: Former COVID adviser Anthony Fauci is refusing a second Senate panel appearance after a contempt vote, setting up a records-and-legal-options showdown. Florida Politics & Foreign Policy: A Fort Lauderdale venue canceled a Rashida Tlaib rally after a Florida lawmaker attacked it as “anti-Jew,” citing security concerns. Rural Health Funding: Gov. DeSantis announced nearly $188 million in awards to expand rural health care access across 31 counties. Tech in the Sunshine State: DeSantis says Florida will test electric air taxis at SunTrax by year’s end, aiming for commercial service soon. Public Safety/Environment: 55 newborn sea turtles died on Anna Maria Island after nearby lights disoriented hatchlings.

Florida GOP Governor Primary: President Trump’s endorsement is driving momentum for Rep. Byron Donalds in the Aug. 18 GOP governor primary, with rivals attacking his record and fundraising while he avoids debates. Democratic Rift Over Israel: A Fort Lauderdale venue canceled a Rashida Tlaib rally after a Florida Jewish caucus leader called it “anti-Jew,” citing security concerns and deepening splits among progressives and establishment Democrats. Property Tax Amendment: Florida AG James Uthmeier rewrote the ballot title and summary for Amendment 3 after a judge said the original language was misleading, reshaping how homestead exemptions and non-homestead caps are described. Immigration Enforcement Debate: ICE’s plan to buy electric-shock “distraction and de-escalation” gloves is drawing backlash from Florida Democrats and critics who warn about abuse. Public Safety & Courts: A federal case details an illegal voter scheme tied to false citizenship claims, while a separate Florida lawsuit challenges AI-generated political mailers for missing required AI disclaimers. Health & Tech: Florida lawmakers approved $2M to expand FIU’s personalized cancer treatment program, and the OCC gave preliminary conditional approval to World Liberty Financial’s USD1 trust bank plan. Weather: Severe thunderstorm warnings hit the Big Bend, with damaging winds and hail possible.

Florida Primary Countdown: Early voting is wrapping up statewide ahead of the Aug. 18 primary, with voters urged to watch county-specific deadlines and bring valid photo ID. Amendment 3 Ballot Fix: Florida voters will see revised, judge-ordered Amendment 3 ballot language after the AG rewrote the summary to correct misleading wording and clarify the homestead exemption timeline. Gubernatorial Race Watch: Byron Donalds keeps leaning on Trump and Scott while questions linger about why Gov. Ron DeSantis hasn’t endorsed him; DeSantis also says he won’t support Cory Mills. CFO Primaries: Blaise Ingoglia and Annette Taddeo are the top names heading into Tuesday’s CFO contests. Rural Health Push: Northwest Florida Community Hospital is set to lead major care-at-home and specialty-care expansion funded through DeSantis’ rural health awards. Transportation & Tech: DeSantis accelerates the $56M Clyde Morris Boulevard project and touts FDOT/Embry-Riddle work tied to advanced air mobility and autonomous vehicles. Hurricane Readiness: A watchdog warns FEMA staffing cuts could leave Southwest Florida more exposed this storm season. Local Politics: Sarasota commissioners allege outside money and AI-linked attack materials are targeting them in next week’s primary.

Medicaid Fight in Court: Federal judges pressed the DeSantis administration over Medicaid termination letters after the COVID “unwinding,” with one calling the state’s approach “pretty bad.” Ballot Language Reset: Florida AG James Uthmeier rewrote the Amendment 3 property tax ballot title and summary after a judge said the original wording was misleading and too slogan-like. Election Spending Reality Check: Byron Donalds says winning Florida’s governor nomination could take $40M-$50M and the general $80M-$90M, underscoring how expensive the Aug. 18 primary is getting. Immigration Gloves Backlash: ICE plans to buy electric shock “distraction and de-escalation” gloves, drawing sharp criticism from Florida Rep. Maxwell Frost and others over potential abuse. Rural Health Funding: Calhoun Liberty Hospital is among recipients of Florida’s Rural Health Transformation Program grants aimed at expanding specialty care, including telehealth. Space & Defense: The U.S. Navy awarded a $78M contract for ammunition storage at NAS Sigonella, and Blue Origin is expanding Cape Canaveral’s Launch Complex 36 with a second pad after a recent explosion. Local Public Safety: North Collier Fire launched a new Mobile Integrated Healthcare unit (“We Care”) for low-acuity medical needs.

Gubernatorial Primary: Gwen Graham cast her ballot at FAMU, tying her campaign to the school’s civil-rights legacy, while Byron Donalds hit Crawfordville with a sharper affordability pitch as Florida’s Aug. 18 race tightens. Election Integrity & Voting Confusion: Florida election officials are warning voters not to “over vote” for governor after ballot wording led some to select two candidates, with replacement ballots available to fix mistakes. Dirty Politics / CD 24: A homophobic text smear falsely claimed Sen. Shevrin Jones is HIV-positive and was allegedly tied to Equality Florida; Jones and Equality Florida say it’s being investigated. Public Safety Tech: Flock Safety says it’s adding privacy safeguards after reports of misuse of license plate reader cameras, as residents in Florida protest and vandalize devices. Courts & Ballot Access: The Florida Supreme Court rejected a Miami attorney’s bid to get on the ballot for a state Senate race over how he paid a qualifying fee. Education Leadership: Monroe County is rolling out new principals across multiple public schools, signaling fresh leadership at the start of the school year. Business & Growth: Inc. highlighted three Florida companies in its Inc. 5000, including Coral Gables’ Commas.

Property Tax Fallout: Clearwater officials warn a Florida property tax amendment could force cuts of nearly 140 jobs and more than $20 million in the next two fiscal years, with police tech, parks, and services on the chopping block. Local Budget Pressure: Pinellas County leaders are weighing funding cuts that could end support for Weedon Island and Shell Key preserves starting Jan. 1, 2027, as they cite state-imposed financial burdens. Elections & Early Voting: With the Aug. 18 primary near, Florida’s early voting and mail return numbers keep climbing—over 865,000 mail ballots returned and nearly 328,000 early votes statewide—while counties publish last-minute polling and hours details. Immigration Enforcement: A federal-style ICE crackdown remains in the spotlight, including Florida-related detentions tied to deportation orders, as cities and lawmakers debate whether local governments should partner with ICE. Florida Politics on the Move: Candidates make final pitches ahead of the governor’s primary, with Byron Donalds and David Jolly trading contrasts on affordability, education, and the economy. Congressional Race Watch: Marco Island’s Amendment 3 impact and local congressional contests continue to drive voter attention, including endorsements and candidate Q&As.

DeSantis vs. AOC: Gov. Ron DeSantis escalated his culture-war message, arguing Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez can’t shrug off her past “defund the police” stance as “Woke 1,” and warning Florida Democrats against embracing abolishing prisons and law enforcement. Florida Courts & Elections: The Florida Supreme Court barred Miami attorney Francisco Amador from the District 34 state Senate ballot over how he paid a qualifying fee, tightening the rules for ballot access. Immigration & Campus Rights: FIU students sued after a silent ICE protest led to discipline, arguing the university punished protected expression. Public Safety & Justice: A federal lawsuit challenges Florida’s sex offender registry as unconstitutional “perpetual punishment,” while Florida also faces another execution push amid a broader national surge. Rural Health Funding: DeSantis announced nearly $188M in rural health awards, including MCR Health in the Southwest region. Economic Development: DeSantis backed Pensacola’s Port of Pensacola shipbuilding expansion with $9M, targeting complex Navy ship modules and thousands of jobs. Primary Politics: Pasco’s District 4 County Commission GOP primary pits incumbent Lisa Yeager against challenger Jonathan Deckard. Antisemitism in Campaigning: A new investigation says Dan Bilzerian’s Florida campaign content includes a large share of antisemitic hate speech.

Florida Primary Countdown: With Aug. 18 one week away, Florida’s GOP and Democratic races are tightening as early voting ramps up and ballot access questions keep popping—Orange County’s elections office drew heat for not mailing sample ballots, and Collier County shows a sharp drop in vote-by-mail requests after SB 90 tightened rules. Immigration & Local Control: Byron Donalds is promising tougher enforcement against “sanctuary” policies, echoing the DeSantis-era pattern of threatening removal of local officials who won’t fully cooperate with ICE. Rural Health Funding: Gov. DeSantis announced nearly $188M in federal money to expand rural healthcare access, while lawmakers and agencies continue to face scrutiny over how disaster and immigration-related funds are tracked. Courts & Accountability: Florida’s property tax amendment is headed for more legal fights after a judge ordered rewrite of ballot language, and the state Supreme Court is set to weigh whether Citizens Property Insurance’s arbitration system is constitutional. Public Safety Tech: A contentious debate over Flock-style flock cameras continues, with residents challenging how data is used and whether contracts are being followed. Education Politics: Two Highlands County school board candidates—Chantel Parris and Kari Gurganus Pritchett—are pitching education-first platforms as voters prepare to decide local leadership. Business & Regulation: Florida regulators are holding a formal hearing on whether Sunshine Water Services can buy Placid Lakes Utilities, with residents worried about future rate hikes.

Vaccines Clash: Florida pediatricians and the state’s American Academy of Pediatrics chapter are pushing back hard on President Trump’s childhood vaccine executive order, calling it politics over science and warning it could disrupt care for kids. Rural Health Funding: Gov. Ron DeSantis announced nearly $188 million to expand rural health care access across 31 rural counties, including support for hospitals, clinics, and workforce growth. Tech & Transportation: DeSantis highlighted SunTrax’s expansion in Polk County, with electric air taxi testing planned by year’s end alongside ongoing “flying car” and autonomous vehicle work. Census Power Fight: A draft Census rule would reshape the 2030 count by excluding broad noncitizen categories and ending race/ethnicity data collection—raising alarms about political power and voting rights. Election Season Logistics: With Florida’s Aug. 18 primary approaching, coverage focused on early voting and how voters can find polling locations. Local Government Watch: Escambia County’s West Florida Public Libraries director Christal Bell-Rivera resigned after five months in the permanent role. Weather Preparedness: Lee County completed a gap-filling weather radar installation to improve near-ground visibility for storms.

Florida Primary Countdown: Brevard voters are gearing up for the Aug. 18 primary, with reminders that Florida’s closed-party rules apply to party contests while nonpartisan races and referenda stay open to eligible voters. Election Access & Turnout: Early voting and vote-by-mail totals show Democrats leading overall turnout so far, as campaigns push hard in the final stretch. Property Tax Amendment Fallout: Florida CFO Blaise Ingoglia is warning that proposed property tax relief could squeeze local budgets, even as he announced $1 million in firefighter safety grants—raising fresh questions about funding for fire and police services. Local Government & Housing: HB 399 is set to reshape how cities and counties handle development approvals, including manufactured and modular homes, shifting more responsibility to local implementation. Surveillance Backlash: In St. Petersburg, a Flock license plate reader camera was vandalized amid privacy concerns, while other cities nationwide have canceled or declined renewals over data ownership and safeguards. Courts & Records: Florida AG James Uthmeier is demanding years of internal New York Times records tied to editorial oversight, arguing it could affect shareholder value. Sports & Culture: A Florida AG warning over WNBA on-court violence is fueling national debate, while a drag-performance case heads toward further appeals.

Florida Primary Pulse: With eight days left, Florida’s Aug. 18 primary is already surging—more than 900,000 ballots cast statewide, including nearly 760,000 mail returns and about 175,000 early in-person votes, and Democrats currently leading by roughly 9,400. Election Administration: Seminole County is mailing updated voter cards for polling-place changes ahead of the primary. Campaign Trail (CD25): In newly drawn Congressional District 25, affordability is the top issue as seven candidates—two Democrats and five Republicans—argue over housing, health care, insurance costs, immigration, and spending. State Politics: Florida Sen. Ashley Moody backs the Kids Online Safety Act as students head back to school. Courts & Politics: A federal judge granted Trump permission to amend his $10B defamation complaint against the BBC, a move that keeps the fight alive under Florida’s deceptive trade practices law. Local Government: Escambia County is moving from years of study toward a phased plan to renovate the Pensacola Bay Center, with commissioners leaning toward finding a private partner.

Property Insurance & Tort Reform: A new national wildfire-insurance crisis is putting Florida’s 2023 “tort reform” push under a harsher spotlight, with critics arguing lawsuits aren’t the real driver of premium spikes. Higher Education Oversight: A Florida-linked push on university governance is framed as a “less inflammatory” follow-up to earlier demands, but critics call it a power grab dressed up as reform. Prosecutor Pay Boost: Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle praised the budget’s pay increases for prosecutors and public defenders, aiming to reduce turnover and keep offices staffed. Election Turnout Watch: Miami-Dade early voting is lagging badly—only about 7% of registered voters have cast ballots after the first week. Homestead Property Tax Ballot Fight: A judge ordered the AG to rewrite misleading referendum language for Amendment 3, saying the summary reads like advocacy. Fauci Probe Escalates: Florida AG James Uthmeier says a Biden pardon won’t block state scrutiny and hints at possible criminal liability as other states coordinate. Sports Law & Politics Collide: Uthmeier also threatened assault charges over a WNBA foul, turning a league controversy into a Florida legal warning. Congressional Races: Democrats and Republicans are lining up for Florida’s Aug. 18 primaries, including a crowded CD 24 field and local endorsements in CD 7. Energy & Utilities: Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger is intervening in the Dominion-NextEra merger review, a Florida-company tie with major affordability stakes. Local Governance: A Palm Beach Gardens HOA plan to remove up to 600 live oaks is drawing resident backlash over notice and safety concerns.