Wasserman Schultz rival Canova close to $1m in donations – Poll: medical marijuana support at 80%; Patrick Murphy barely leads Senate field – More Florida Zika woes

By Marc Caputo ([email protected]; @MarcACaputo) with Ali Breland ([email protected]; @AliBreland) and the staff of POLITICO Florida

Good Wednesday morning. My, these are strange political times. The head of the DNC is getting hit from the left. And it might be working.


CASHMAN CANOVA --“Canova, Wasserman Schultz’s challenger, set to announce $1M haul,” by POLITICO Florida’s Marc Caputo: Tim Canova, the upstart liberal who’s challenging DNC chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz for her congressional seat, is about to become a million-dollar candidate.

Fueled heavily by small-dollar donors who give to Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders, Canova said that, by the weekend, he’ll be on pace to have raised $1 million since he officially entered the race Jan. 7. ... The Canova campaign said it received 17,756 individual contributions in April alone, that the overall average contribution was just $18.76 and that of the 23,404 total donors as of the end of April, only nine “have maxed out.” The campaign says it soon will have 50,000 contributions from 25,000 individual donors. http://politi.co/1URikZZ

-- “Democratic Party Chairwoman Faces Attacks from Left Over Payday Lending,” by Inside Sources’ Carter Dougherty: http://bit.ly/1qcenlD

--“Florida politicians and parties got $2.5 million from payday lenders, group says,” by Miami Herald’s Amy Sherman: “Allied Progress has drawn attention to the issue of payday lending in Florida by attacking U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, the [DNC] chair, and other politicians who have taken money from the industry.” http://hrld.us/1XjZScZ

-- “Wasserman Schultz condemns Republicans over anti-Planned Parenthood law,” by Sun Sentinel’s Anthony Man: http://bit.ly/1qcgBS8

MARIJUANA – “Poll shows 80 percent back medical marijuana plan,” by POLITICO Florida’s Marc Caputo: Eight in 10 Florida voters approve of a proposed state constitutional amendment to legalize medical marijuana and more than half would decriminalize personal cannabis use for adults, according to a new poll. The survey by Quinnipiac University shows the medical marijuana amendment is backed by a super majority of voters regardless of party, gender, age, education and race and ethnicity. Only 16 percent oppose the amendment, while 80 percent support it overall. http://politi.co/21UOoNj

--“Thousands pack convention in Kissimmee to learn how to cash in on marijuana industry,” by WFTV: http://at.wftv.com/1rS0DOa

POWER PLAY – “Committee backing solar amendment gets $7.6M from utilities in April,” by POLITICO Florida’s Bruce Ritchie: Utilities in April poured $7.6 million into a political committee spearheading a solar energy ballot measure after it won approval by the Florida Supreme Court. The proposed amendment would establish a right in the state constitution to own or lease solar equipment while prohibiting utility customers from subsidizing solar users. http://politi.co/1TzsIAi

MURPHY’S LAW – “New poll shows Murphy with a slight edge in U.S. Senate race,” by POLITICO Florida’s Marc Caputo: The race for Florida’s open U.S. Senate seat still has no clear favorite, but a new poll shows Democratic U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy might be the best general election candidate while Republican newcomer Carlos Beruff is emerging as a real GOP contender.

According to a new Quinnipiac University poll, Murphy narrowly leads all five Republican contenders in theoretical head-to-head matchups, while fellow Democratic U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson does only marginally worse and slightly trails some of them. http://politi.co/1OgkyR9

GRAYSON SQUAD -- Tina Dupuy is the new Communications Director for Congressman Alan Grayson (D-FL-09). Dupuy was previously an investigative journalist and syndicated columnist. Christopher Evanson is the new Press Secretary for Rep. Grayson. Evanson is a U.S. Coast Guard veteran where he served as an on-the-record spokesperson and media relations advisor.

WON’T ENDORSE (YET?) -- “Despite concerns, Rubio promises to support Trump,” by POLITICO’s Nick Gass: Marco Rubio made clear Tuesday he has grave reservations about Donald Trump's view of the world. But he promised to support him anyway, telling CNN's Jake Tapper that he will stand by his pledge to back the Republican nominee.

“I’m not voting for Hillary Clinton,” Rubio said. “I’m not throwing away my vote.” http://politi.co/1T2Y8Dc

[email protected]: “2019: A weak, starving Marco Rubio wanders the post-apocalyptic landscape, mumbling, ‘I … took … a pledge’”

-- “Trump: ‘If I Was Jeb Bush, I Wouldn’t Vote For Me Either’,” by Talking Points Memo’s Sara Jerde: http://bit.ly/1qcgBS7

-- “As Predicted – Billionaire Ted Cruz and Jeb Bush Backers Now Financing Hillary Clinton…,” The Conservative Treehouse: http://bit.ly/1T4o8uh

NOT WAVERING -- “With some Republicans still skeptical, Scott’s support for Trump stays strong,” by POLITICO Florida’s Matt Dixon: As Donald Trump works to unite a Republican Party skeptical of his presidential bid and conservative credentials, Gov. Rick Scott is continuing to double down on the presumptive GOP nominee, whom he has long publicly supported.

“We have a business person, Donald Trump, who knows how to build jobs,” Scott told reporters after a Florida Cabinet meeting Tuesday. “On the other side, we have a career politician that has never created a job in her life.” http://politi.co/1T7ZBd9

REBUKING -- “UNF president scolded by Gov. Scott, Cabinet over bond-rating downgrade,” by Jacksonville Times Union’s Tia Mitchell: “University of North Florida’s president got a scolding from the governor and Cabinet on Tuesday for failing to immediately notify the state when a bond rating was downgraded. The mild rebuke came two months after Standard & Poor’s reduced the rating on debt for the UNF fitness center from an ‘A+’ to an ‘A.’” http://bit.ly/1T4AqD5

SCOTT V. ZIKA IN DC -- “Scott talks Zika as he prepares to lobby DC for states funding,” by POLITICO Florida’s Christine Sexton: Gov. Rick Scott on Tuesday said he was going to press Congress to “come together” and provide funding for states to fight the Zika virus. “My job is to help get the state prepared and that’s what this trip is going to do,” Scott told reporters in a media availability following the Cabinet meeting. Scott travels to Washington Wednesday and Thursday to lobby members of Congress to support Zika funding. http://politi.co/1OmueUT

-- “Two new Zika cases in Miami-Dade raises Florida total to 109 [more than any state],” by Miami Herald’s Daniel Chang: “In Miami-Dade, where most of Florida’s Zika infections have been reported, 44 people have been infected with the virus, according to the state health department, but the disease has not been transmitted locally by mosquito bites. Broward County has reported 15 cases of Zika.” http://hrld.us/1qceptK

-- “This Is What It’s Like To Actually Be Told You Have Zika,” by BuzzFeed News’ Ali Watkins: http://bzfd.it/1WmGDzU

-- “Urine Test Catches Zika Infection Better, CDC Says,” AP via NBC News: http://nbcnews.to/1T4o8ug

WHAT’S IN A DOSE? -- “Doctor tied to Menendez corruption case disputes allegations,” by AP’s Terry Spencer: “Attorneys for [West Palm Beach] Dr. Salomon Melgen told U.S. District Judge Kenneth Marra on Tuesday that prosecutors are misapplying and misinterpreting Medicare law when they included in their indictment allegations that he drew three to four doses from single-use vials of Lucentis, a drug used to treat a common type of age-related eye degeneration....

“In the separate New Jersey case, prosecutors allege that Melgen lavished Menendez with flights, vacations and campaign contributions so the senator would intercede on his behalf to gain visas for Melgen's foreign girlfriends, press Dominican officials to honor a lucrative port contract for one of his businesses and influence Medicare officials on billing disputes.” http://apne.ws/1QXKgV0

WHEN INEXPENSIVE IS CHEAP -- “Surprise, Florida is not the best state to grow old in,” by South Florida Business Journal’s Nina Lincoff: “The study looked the cost and quality of senior care, and found an inverse relationship between the two. Florida is a good example of that care dynamic, because the state has the 12th most affordable elder care, but a much lower quality of life and health care, coming in at 38th on Caring.com’s list. That below-average quality of care dragged the Sunshine State below average in the rankings.

“South Dakota is the No. 1 state in the country to grow old in, followed by Iowa and Minnestoa, according to the study.” http://bit.ly/1WZJCNH

CHA-CHING -- “Enterprise Florida board to discuss $132 K. ‘separation agreement’ for CEO,” by POLITICO Florida’s Matt Dixon: The Enterprise Florida board of directors generally meets in relative obscurity, but with a severance package for its ousted chief executive and a proposed overhaul to its mission on the agenda, Wednesday's meeting at a Naples resort will come with plenty of attention.

Enterprise Florida is the state’s mostly taxpayer funded economic development arm. During the 2016 legislative session, lawmakers did not fund its push for $250 million in economic incentive money, which was the top priority for Gov. Rick Scott, who as governor also chairs the group’s board. http://politi.co/1WZh8Ut

CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW? — “Bondi has tough talk for telecom company over service disruptions,” by POLITICO Florida’s Daniel Ducassi: Attorney General Pam Bondi is taking a communications company to task for a rough transition after the company bought Florida networks from Verizon. Bondi wrote a letter to Frontier Communications Corporation on Monday, saying that it has been just over a month since the transfer of Verizon services, including broadband and phone, but “the transition has hardly been a smooth one.” http://politi.co/1rShmRx

DIGAME -- “Competition heats up for roaming, calling services in Cuba,” by Miami Herald’s Mimi Whitefield: Florida health officials confirmed two new Zika infections in Miami-Dade on Tuesday, raising the statewide total to 109 people who have contracted the virus this year, more than any state.

In Miami-Dade, where most of Florida’s Zika infections have been reported, 44 people have been infected with the virus, according to the state health department, but the disease has not been transmitted locally by mosquito bites. Broward County has reported 15 cases of Zika. http://hrld.us/1T4lkNJ

BACK TO COURT -- “Teachers union seeks standing to challenge tax-credit scholarships,” by POLITICO Florida’s Jessica Bakeman: A three-judge panel of the First District Court of Appeal on Tuesday considered whether Florida’s teachers union has standing to challenge a voucher-like program that helps poor children attend private schools. Tuesday’s hearing followed a lower court’s dismissal of the lawsuit last year.” http://politi.co/1rSwnmf

ORANGE WOES -- “USDA improves its forecast for state’s citrus crop,” by POLITICO Florida’s Bruce Ritchie: State officials reacted cautiously on Tuesday to a federal agency’s improved citrus crop forecast. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's forecast of 81.1 million boxes of oranges, up from 76 million boxes last month, still represents a decline of nearly 70 percent from the peak of 244 million boxes in 1997-98, the state said. “Because it’s a monthly estimate there is some variability,” Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam told reporters. “But the bottom line is the crop is a fraction of what it was a decade ago.” http://politi.co/1XjXFOO

3….2….1…. -- “Falcon 9 rocket heads to Kennedy Space Center,” WFTV: “The Falcon 9 rocket that successfully landed on a floating barge last week is on its way to the Kennedy Space Center. SpaceX launched a Japanese communications satellite from Cape Canaveral on Friday, and landed the first-stage booster of the company's Falcon 9 rocket.

“Spectators watched from Port Canaveral Tuesday as the 15-story booster was prepared for its trip back to the Kennedy Space Center.” http://at.wftv.com/1UQJOPj

-- “NASA’s official exoplanet count more than doubles,” by AP’s Marcia Dunn: http://apne.ws/1WmGDzV

JAX HIJINKS -- “Corey campaign manager helped write-in candidate close state attorney election to Dems, independents,” by The Florida Times-Union’s Lanny Hannan: “Attorney Melissa Nelson, who filed to run against incumbent State Attorney Angela Corey in the Republican primary Aug. 30, said she bumped into Corey’s campaign manager, Alexander Pantinakis, on Thursday in Tallahassee while she was filing her papers to become a candidate with the Florida Secretary of State.

“Minutes after Nelson officially filed, attorney Kenny Leigh became a write-in candidate, closing the election to the 58 percent of the electorate in Duval, Clay and Nassau counties — registered Democrats and people with no party affiliation. Nelson said she did not see Leigh in Tallahassee, and wondered if Pantinakis had a role in Leigh qualifying for the election.” http://bit.ly/1qcenlC

JAX TAX -- “City Council set to vote on sale tax to deal with pension fund woes,” by The Florida Times-Union’s Christopher Hong: http://bit.ly/1qcgBS9

IF YOU BORROW IT, THEY WILL STAY -- “St. Lucie County will borrow $60 million to renovate Tradition Field, keep NY Mets spring training here,” by TCPalm’s Keona Gardner: “We’ve been here for 28 years and we've seen the county grow around us, and this is our home for spring training,” Paul Taglieri, Mets executive director of minor-league facilities, told commissioners. The county will use its 5 percent tourist-development tax, commonly called the bed tax, to repay the loan, County Administrator Howard Tipton said.” http://bit.ly/1WmDVub

THANKS AND BUH BYE—“Cabinet honors former OIR Commish McCarty with resolution,” by POLITICO Florida’s Christine Sexton: The Florida Cabinet on Tuesday passed a resolution thanking Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty for his 23 years of service with the state insurance department. McCarty, flanked by his mother as well has his Office of Insurance Regulation “family,” accepted the framed resolution, printed in blue and orange to reflect his alma mater, the University of Florida. “It has been a labor of love to serve with the people of Florida,” McCarty said. "It has been an honor and pleasure to serve the people of Florida. God bless you and God bless the people of Florida.” http://politi.co/1T7YWbN

FRIENDLY REGULATION -- “Atwater: Office of Financial Regulation should work closer with industry groups,” by POLITICO Florida’s Matt Dixon: Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater on Tuesday made clear that he wants one of the state’s top financial regulators to work more closely with outside groups that have an interest in the industries the office regulates.” http://politi.co/27bOS5E

ODDS AND ENDS… --“Cabinet approves 3 land deals; Putnam says feds backed out of one of them,” by POLITICO Florida’s Bruce Ritchie: http://politi.co/24LCUkB

-- “Cabinet appoints David Wyant to state parole board,” by POLITICO Florida’s Daniel Ducassi: http://politi.co/1T7Xl5L

-- “Mother of St. Petersburg teen who drowned in stolen car to sue Pinellas sheriff,” by Tampa Bay Times’ Tony Marrero: http://bit.ly/1T4o8uf

-- “Trial for accused child torturer Jorge Barahona moved to Miami,” by Miami Herald’s David Ovalle: http://hrld.us/1T4oaCx

-- “Addiction to opiods a global epidemic,” by Miami Herald’s Fred Menachem: http://hrld.us/1T4oaCv

FLORIDA MAN (with a special thanks to Craig Pittman and Billy Corben for finding so much ridiculousness in so short a time)…

--Craig Pittman @craigtimes: “Oh #Florida! Fire crews have to rescue woman who somehow got stuck in a banyan tree.” http://cbsloc.al/1rFqFUV

--Craig Pittman @craigtimes: “Oh #Florida! Man dumps white paint on cars, leaves set of white-paint footprints leading straight to his door. http://bit.ly/1YkTikK”

--“Children of former Bucs owner Hugh Culverhouse refuse to release mother's body as family feuds,” by Tampa Bay Times’ Susan Taylor Martin: http://bit.ly/1TDSCTc

[email protected]: “Florida cop claims back injury from lifting laptop, gets arrested for insurance fraud. Because Florida http://bit.ly/1OgnME4”

TRANS-DIFFICULT -- “That awkward moment when Miami’s mayor stumbled into the transgender bathroom debate,” by Miami Herald’s Patricia Mazzei: “No one sitting around the table on MiraTV’s Prohibido Callarse news-talk show Monday night asked Miami Mayor Tomás Regalado what he thought of North Carolina’s controversial bathroom law. But he wanted to have his say anyway.

“I do have a problem” with transgender people using the public restrooms of their choice, Regalado cut in… “I do have a problem,” Regalado continued, “because I have grandsons and granddaughters.”…

“There’s someone in this community, very beloved, who has a transgender son: Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen,” [Democratic pollster Fernand] Amandi said. ‘His name is Rodrigo.’ Moments later, [host Roberto] Rodríguez Tejera turned to Regalado: ‘Are you going to force Rodrigo to go into the women’s room?” Silence. http://hrld.us/1QXQ3d1

FLORI-DUH DOPE -- “Tweet looking for drugs answered by Sarasota police,” by FOX 13 News staff: “If you're looking to find drugs, it may not be the smartest move to tweet about it. The Sarasota police department spotted a call for drugs by a Twitter user asking, ‘Who's in Sarasota and has weed?’ Sarasota police quickly responded with a tweet of their own: ‘If you'd like to stop by our headquarters, our narcotics detectives would be more than happy to talk.’” http://bit.ly/27bTPeL

-- “Sarasota police warning residents after counterfeit money found circulating in city,” Bradenton Herald: http://bit.ly/1UQJOPh

I HATE IT WHEN THIS HAPPENS -- “Florida man accidentally shoots himself, notices two days later,” by Reuters’ Barbara Liston: “Michael Blevins, 37, of Deltona, said he did not feel pain from the bullet, which pierced skin and muscle before exiting his body, according to an incident report from the Volusia County Sheriff's Office. He also told a deputy that he did not notice the bleeding until he replaced a black shirt he was wearing with a brown one, and the wound created a stain.” http://reut.rs/1rS6Ppi

FOR MORE political and policy news, check out Politico Florida’s home page: http://politi.co/1jkJUyL. And please follow out staff @mdixon55, @christinesexton, @dducassi, @jessicabakeman and @bruceritchie on Twitter.

SUBSCRIBE to the Playbook family: POLITICO Playbook http://politi.co/1M75UbX ... New York Playbook http://politi.co/1ON8bqW ... Florida Playbook http://politi.co/1JDm23W ... New Jersey Playbook http://politi.co/1HLKltF ... Massachusetts Playbook http://politi.co/1Nhtq5v ... Illinois Playbook http://politi.co/1N7u5sb ... California Playbook http://politi.co/1N8zdJU ... Brussels Playbook http://politi.co/1FZeLcw ... All our political and policy tipsheets http://politi.co/1M75UbX

Follow us on Twitter Gary Fineout @fineout

Follow Us