Advances:  Week of August 19, 2018

August 17, 2018

By News Service of Florida

 

TALLAHASSEE --- It’s almost over. Florida is entering the final full week of campaigning before the Aug. 28 primary elections.

Early-voting sites will be open throughout the week, and mail-in ballots will continue pouring into local elections offices. Voters shouldn’t turn on the TV or open their mailboxes if they don’t want to get bombarded with campaign ads.

Most of the attention focuses on the Republican and Democratic primaries for governor. With Republican Gov. Rick Scott leaving office in January, Democrats are trying to break a two-decade losing streak in gubernatorial races, while Republicans want to keep total control in Tallahassee.

On the Democratic side of the race, five candidates --- Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum, former Congresswoman Gwen Graham, former Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine and businessmen Jeff Greene and Chris King --- will bounce from campaign stop to campaign stop during the coming week as they make last-minute pitches to voters. Expect them to spent large amounts of time trying to turn out supporters in Southeast Florida and Central Florida.

The Republican gubernatorial primary, meanwhile, is more like a heavyweight bout between two fighters with different styles. Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam is traveling the state as he tries to use retail politics to show voters that he is the best fit for Florida. Meanwhile, Congressman Ron DeSantis has focused on themes, such as immigration, that excite Republicans across the country and is counting on his endorsement from President Donald Trump to energize supporters.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 19, 2018

DESANTIS CAMPAIGNS IN MIAMI-DADE: Republican gubernatorial candidate Ron DeSantis is expected to appear at a Federated Republican Women of North Dade event. (Sunday, 3 p.m., Shuckers Waterfront Bar & Grill, 1819 79th St. Causeway, North Bay Village.)

MONDAY, AUGUST 20, 2018

CALDWELL CAMPAIGNS IN HIALEAH: A rally will be held in Miami-Dade County for state Rep. Matt Caldwell, a North Fort Myers Republican running for agriculture commissioner. U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., is expected to take part in the rally. (Monday, 9:30 a.m., Casa Marin, 4195 Palm Ave., Hialeah.)

CITIZENS PANEL DISCUSSES RETIREMENT PLAN: The Retirement Plan Committee of the Citizens Property Insurance Corp. Board of Governors will hold a conference call to discuss updates and recommendations from human-resources staff members, plan administrator MassMutual and plan investment adviser Fiduciary First. (Monday, 10 a.m. Call-in number: 1-888-270-9936. Code: 4155253)

RUBIO HOLDS ‘MOBILE’ OFFICE HOURS: Staff members for U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., will hold “mobile” office hours in Polk County. (Monday, 1 p.m., Larry R. Jackson Branch Library, 1700 North Florida Ave., Lakeland.)

HASTINGS TOURS BROWARD PROJECTS: U.S. Rep. Alcee Hastings, D-Fla., will tour transportation and infrastructure projects prioritized by the Broward County Metropolitan Planning Organization. (Monday, tour starts at 1 p.m. at Nob Hill Soccer Club Park, 10200 Sunset Strip, Sunrise.)

PUTNAM CAMPAIGNS IN HILLSBOROUGH: Republican gubernatorial candidate Adam Putnam is expected make a campaign stop in Hillsborough County. (Monday, 2 p.m., Moreno Bakery, 737 West Brandon Blvd., Brandon.)

TALLAHASSEE COLLEGE TRUSTEES MEET: The Tallahassee Community College Board of Trustees will meet. (Monday, 2:30 p.m., Tallahassee Community College, Hinson Administration Building, 444 Appleyard Dr., Tallahassee.)

VETERANS GRADUATE FROM COURT PROGRAM: Six veterans are slated to graduate after completing the Leon County Veterans Treatment Court program, which is designed for veterans who have mental-health problems and face issues in the criminal-justice system. (Monday, 3:30 pm., Leon County Courthouse, 301 South Monroe St., Tallahassee.)

SHORE-BASED SHARK FISHING AT ISSUE: The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commissioner will hold one in a series of meetings to gather input on shore-based shark fishing. (Monday, 6 p.m., Piggotte Community Center, 504 Big Tree Road, South Daytona.)

STEUBE SPEAKS AT GOP CLUB: State Sen. Greg Steube, a Sarasota Republican running for an open seat in Congressional District 17, is expected to speak to the East County Republican Club. (Monday, 6:30 p.m., Superior Word Fellowship, 6512 Superior Ave., Sarasota.)

TUESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2018

GRIMSLEY HOLDS ‘MOBILE’ OFFICE HOURS: Staff members for Sen. Denise Grimsley, R-Sebring, will hold “mobile” office hours in Glades and Okeechobee counties. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., Glades County Courthouse, 500 Avenue J S.W., Moore Haven. Also, 11 a.m., Okeechobee Chamber of Commerce, 55 South Parrott Ave., Okeechobee.)

ST. PETERSBURG COLLEGE BOARD MEETS: The St. Petersburg College Board of Trustees is slated to meet. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., EpiCenter, 13805 58th St. North, Clearwater.)

DEUTCH GOES TO MPO, DISCUSSES FLOOD INSURANCE: U.S. Rep. Ted Deutch, D-Fla., will visit the Broward County Metropolitan Planning Organization and tour projects in Fort Lauderdale, Wilton Manors and Oakland Park. He also will attend a roundtable event to discuss the National Flood Insurance Program. (Tuesday, MPO visit at 9:30 a.m., Broward Metropolitan Planning Organization, 100 West Cypress Creek Road, Suite 650, Fort Lauderdale. Roundtable at 11:30 a.m., Becker, 1 East Broward Blvd., Suite 1800, Fort Lauderdale.)

FAU TRUSTEES MEET: The Florida Atlantic University Board of Trustees will hold committee meetings and a full board meeting. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton Campus, Administration Building, 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton.)

GRIMSLEY, NUNEZ, DIAZ SPEAK TO GOP WOMEN: State Sen. Denise Grimsley, a Sebring Republican running for agriculture commissioner, is expected to speak to the Old Cutler Republican Women’s Club. Also, Rep. Jeanette Nunez and former Rep. Jose Felix Diaz, who served on the state Constitution Revision Commission, are expected to discuss proposed constitutional amendments on the November ballot. (Tuesday, 11:30 a.m., Brio Tuscan Grille, 8888 S.W. 136th St., Miami.)

AQUATIC PRESERVES DISCUSSED: The Florida Department of Environmental Protection will hold a rulemaking workshop related to aquatic preserves. (Tuesday, 1 p.m., Marjory Stoneman Douglas Building, 3900 Commonwealth Blvd., Tallahassee.)

RUBIO HOLDS ‘MOBILE’ OFFICE HOURS: Staff members for U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., will hold “mobile” office hours in Pinellas County. (Tuesday, 1 p.m., Clearwater Countryside Library, 2642 Sabal Springs Dr., Clearwater.)

PUTNAM CAMPAIGNS IN SARASOTA COUNTY: Republican gubernatorial candidate Adam Putnam is slated to make a campaign stop in North Port. (Tuesday, 1:30 p.m., Family Table, 14132 Tamiami Trail, North Port.)

‘CAT FUND’ AT ISSUE: The Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund Advisory Council will hold a conference call. (Tuesday, 1:30 p.m. Call-in number: 1-888-670-3525. Code: 7135858151)

UCF TRUSTEES MEET: The University of Central Florida Board of Trustees will meet. (Tuesday, 3 p.m., University of Central Florida, Millican Hall, Orlando. Call-in number: 1-800-442-5794. Code: 463796)

NORTHWEST FLORIDA COLLEGE BOARD MEETS: The Northwest Florida State College Board of Trustees is slated to meet. (Tuesday, 4:30 p.m., Northwest Florida State College, Student Services Center, Niceville.)

BUCHANAN CAMPAIGNS IN HD 74: A reception will be held for Republican James Buchanan, who is running in Sarasota County’s House District 74. The seat is open because Rep. Julio Gonzalez, R-Venice, is running for Congress. (Tuesday, 5:30 p.m., Fins at Sharky’s, 1600 Harbor Dr. South, Venice.)

NORTH FLORIDA COLLEGE TRUSTEES MEET: The North Florida Community College Board of Trustees will meet. (Tuesday, 5:30 p.m., North Florida Community College, Board Room, 325 N.W. Turner Davis Dr., Madison.)

SHORE-BASED SHARK FISHING AT ISSUE: The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commissioner will hold one in a series of meetings to gather input on shore-based shark fishing. (Tuesday, 6 p.m., Jacksonville University, J. Henry Gooding Building, 2800 University Blvd. North, Jacksonville.)

I-75 FRONTAGE ROAD DISCUSSED: The Florida Department of Transportation will hold a public hearing about a project along an Interstate 75 frontage road, from Hialeah Gardens to West 23rd Avenue in Miami-Dade County. (Tuesday, 6 p.m., Hialeah Gardens Branch Library, 11300 N.W. 87th Court, Hialeah Gardens.)

CANDIDATES CONVERGE ON PLANT CITY: The Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce will hold a forum that is expected to draw a wide range of state and local candidates, including Baxter Troutman, a Republican candidate for agriculture commissioner; Ashley Moody, a Republican candidate for attorney general; and Jeremy Ring, a Democratic candidate for chief financial officer. (Tuesday, 6:30 p.m., Hillsborough Community College, Trinkle Center, 1206 North Park Road, Plant City.)

SILVERS, CHALLENGER AT LGBTA CAUCUS: State Rep. David Silvers, a Lake Clarke Shores Democrat running for re-election in Palm Beach County’s House District 87, and primary challenger Edgardo Hernandez are slated to speak to the Rusty Gordon LGBTA Democratic Caucus of Palm Beach County. (Tuesday, 6:45 p.m., Compass GLCC, 201 North Dixie Highway, Lake Worth.)

GREENE CAMPAIGNS IN BROWARD: Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jeff Greene is expected to speak during a Broward County Democratic Party meeting. (Tuesday, 7 p.m., Deicke Auditorium, 5701 Cypress Road, Plantation.)

SOTO SPEAKS TO WINTER HAVEN DEMOCRATS: U.S. Rep. Darren Soto, who is running for re-election in Congressional District 9, is slated to speak to the Winter Haven Democratic Club. (Tuesday, 7 p.m., Rotary Park, 350 Sixth St. N.E., Winter Haven.)

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 22, 2018

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AT ISSUE: The Agency for Health Care Administration will hold two meetings that will focus on ways to improve behavioral health services in the Medicaid managed-care system. (8:30 a.m. and 1 p.m., Schultz Center, 4019 Boulevard Center Dr., Jacksonville.)

PAROLE CASES HEARD: The Florida Commission on Offender Review will consider numerous parole cases from across the state. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Betty Easley Conference Center, 4075 Esplanade Way, Tallahassee.)

RUBIO HOLDS ‘MOBILE’ OFFICE HOURS: Staff members for U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., will hold “mobile” office hours in Suwannee, Pasco and Taylor counties. (Wednesday 10 a.m., 208 Ohio Ave., Live Oak. Also, 1 p.m., Hugh Embry Branch Library, 14215 Fourth St., Dade City. Also, 1:30 p.m., 201 East Green St., Perry.)

MARIJUANA LAWS AT ISSUE: NORML Tallahassee, which supports legalization of marijuana, is scheduled to hold a march and rally at the Capitol. (Wednesday, 10:30 a.m., Old Capitol front steps, Tallahassee.)

GOP CANDIDATES GATHER IN PALM BEACH: Numerous Republican candidates will gather at a Republican Club of the Palm Beaches event. Participants are expected to include Belinda Keiser, who is running in Senate District 25; Rep. Rick Roth, who is running for re-election in House District 85; and Mike Caruso and Matt Spritz, who are running in House District 89. (Wednesday, noon, Holiday Inn and Conference Center Palm Beach Airport, 1301 Belvedere Road, West Palm Beach.)

ATTORNEY GENERAL CANDIDATES SPAR IN COURT: Leon County Circuit Judge Karen Gievers will hear arguments in a case challenging the election qualification of Ryan Torrens, a Democratic candidate for attorney general. Torrens’ opponent in the Aug. 28 Democratic primary, Rep. Sean Shaw of Tampa, filed the lawsuit, alleging that Torrens used an illegal contribution to pay for an election-qualifying fee. As a result, Shaw contends that Torrens should be decertified as a candidate. Torrens has described the lawsuit as “frivolous” and has filed a counterclaim alleging libel. (Wednesday, 1:30 p.m., Leon County Courthouse, 301 South Monroe St., Tallahassee.)

ST. JOHNS COLLEGE TRUSTEES MEET: The St. Johns River State College Board of Trustees will meet in St. Augustine. (Wednesday, 3 p.m., St. Johns River State College, St. Augustine Campus, Criminal Justice Multipurpose Room, 2900 College Dr., St. Augustine.)

HILLSBOROUGH COLLEGE TRUSTEES MEET: The Hillsborough Community College Board of Trustees is slated to meet. (Wednesday, 4 p.m., Dr. Gwendolyn W. Stephenson District Administration Center, 39 Columbia Dr., Tampa.)

PUTNAM CAMPAIGNS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY: Republican gubernatorial candidate Adam Putnam is expected to appear at a campaign event in West Palm Beach. (Wednesday, 5:30 p.m., Yesteryear Village, 9067 Southern Blvd., West Palm Beach.)

SHAPIRO SEEKS VOTES IN CD 16: Democrat David Shapiro, who is seeking to unseat U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Fla., in Congressional District 16, is expected to take part in a meet-and-greet event in Manatee County. (Wednesday, 5:30 p.m., Cory Wright Fine Art, 419 10th Ave., Palmetto.)

DEMOCRAT RAISES MONEY IN HD 11: A fundraising event is slated for Democrat Nathcelly Rohrbaugh, who is seeking to unseat Rep. Cord Byrd, R-Neptune Beach, in House District 11, which includes Nassau County and part of Duval County. (Wednesday, 6 p.m., Casa Marina, 691 First St. North, Jacksonville Beach.)

THURSDAY, AUGUST 23, 2018

HUKILL DISCUSSES SESSION, BALLOT PROPOSALS: Sen. Dorothy Hukill, R-Port Orange, will speak to the Rockledge Rotary Club about the 2018 legislative session and issues on the November ballot. (Thursday, 7:30 a.m., Twisted Birch, 1279 Admiralty Blvd., Rockledge.)

RUBIO HOLDS ‘MOBILE’ OFFICE HOURS: Staff members for U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., will hold “mobile” office hours in Osceola and Citrus counties. (Thursday, 1 p.m., Osceola Council on Aging, 700 Generation Point, Kissimmee. Also, 1:30 p.m., Citrus County Chamber of Commerce, 106 West Main St., Inverness.)

GRIMSLEY HOLDS ‘MOBILE’ OFFICE HOURS: Staff members for Sen. Denise Grimsley, R-Sebring, will hold “mobile” office hours in Hardee County. (Thursday, 1:15 p.m., Hardee County Chamber of Commerce, Wauchula.)

PUTNAM CAMPAIGNS IN MIAMI-DADE: Republican gubernatorial candidate Adam Putnam is expected to make a campaign stop in Miami. (Thursday, 2 p.m., La Carreta Restaurant, 8650 Bird Road, Miami.)

SUWANNEE RIVER BRIDGE PROJECT DISCUSSED: The Florida Department of Transportation will hold an open house about plans to replace a bridge on County Road 250 over the Suwannee River. (Thursday, 5 p.m., Advent Christian Village Saw Mill Depot Room, 23736 Park Center Drive, Live Oak)

I-95 IN BROWARD AT ISSUE: The Florida Department of Transportation will hold a public hearing to discuss a study for a project on Interstate 95, from south of Commercial Boulevard to north of Cypress Creek Road in Broward County. (Thursday, 5:30 p.m., Sheraton Suites Fort Lauderdale at Cypress Creek, 555 N.W. 62nd St., Fort Lauderdale.)

NORTH CENTRAL PLANNING COUNCIL MEETS: The North Central Florida Regional Planning Council will meet in Columbia County. (Thursday, 7 p.m., Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites, 213 S.W. Commerce Blvd., Lake City.)

FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2018

BOARD OF DENTISTRY MEETS: The Florida Board of Dentistry will meet in Hillsborough County. (Friday, 7:30 a.m., Crown Plaza Tampa Westshore, 5303 West Kennedy Blvd., Tampa.)

REYES CAMPAIGNS IN CD 23: Republican Carlos Reyes, who is seeking to unseat U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla., in Congressional District 23, will hold a meet-and-greet event in Broward County. (Friday, 8 a.m., Einstein’s Bagels, 340 North Park Road, Hollywood.)

CHIROPRACTIC BOARD MEETS: The Florida Board of Chiropractic Medicine will meet in Orange County. (Friday, 8:30 a.m., Rosen Plaza, 9700 International Dr., Orlando.)

OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE BOARD MEETS: The Florida Board of Osteopathic Medicine will meet in Hillsborough County. (Friday, 9 a.m., Embassy Suites Tampa USF, 3705 Spectrum Blvd., Tampa.)

NORTHWEST FLORIDA TRANSPORTATION AT ISSUE: The West Florida Regional Planning Council and the group Florida’s Great Northwest, along with the Apalachee Regional Planning Council and Northwest Florida Forward, will hold a meeting titled, “Regional Transportation Priorities: Connectivity and Planning for Growth.” (Friday, 9:30 a.m., Northwest Florida State College, Building 400, 100 College Blvd., Niceville.)

‘MARSY’S LAW’ MEASURE DEBATED: Leon County Circuit Judge Karen Gievers will hear arguments about a proposed constitutional amendment aimed at expanding crime victims’ rights. The Florida Constitution Revision Commission this year approved putting the proposal, designated as Amendment 6, on the November ballot. Supporters of the proposal, which has become commonly known as “Marsy’s Law,” argue it would establish a series of rights for crime victims, including the right to be notified of major developments in criminal cases and the right to be heard in the legal proceedings. The amendment also would increase the mandatory retirement age for judges from 70 to 75. And it would provide that judges should not necessarily defer to the interpretation of laws and rules by governmental agencies in legal proceedings. But Southwest Florida defense attorney Lee Hollander filed a lawsuit challenging the measure, arguing that its wording would mislead voters. (Friday, 1 p.m., Leon County Courthouse, 301 South Monroe St., Tallahassee.)

COLEMAN CAMPAIGNS IN HD 73: Democrat Liv Coleman, who is running for an open seat in state House District 73, is slated to take part in a meet-and-greet event in Lakewood Ranch. The seat, which includes parts of Sarasota and Manatee counties, is open because Rep. Joe Gruters, R-Sarasota, is running for the Senate. (Friday, 4 p.m., Esplanade Golf and Country Club, 12825 Malachite Dr., Lakewood Ranch.)

CAMPAIGN FINANCE REPORTS DUE: State candidates, political committees and parties face a Friday deadline for filing reports showing finance activity through Aug. 23.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 25, 2018

PUTNAM CAMPAIGNS IN TAMPA: Republican gubernatorial candidate Adam Putnam is expected to campaign at a barbecue event in Hillsborough County. (Saturday, 6 p.m., M&B Products, 8601 Harney Road, Tampa.)

EARLY VOTING WRAPS UP: Early voting for the Aug. 28 primary elections will end in many areas of the state. Some counties will continue to hold early voting Aug. 26.