Advances:  Week of August 26, 2018

By News Service of Florida

 

TALLAHASSEE --- After months of campaigning, an avalanche of TV ads and barrels of political slime, Florida voters Tuesday will answer the first set of questions in this year’s elections.

Will the backing of President Donald Trump carry Congressman Ron DeSantis to the Republican nomination for governor? Or will Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam’s strategy of showing up a breakfast meet-and-greets and barbecues across the state pay off in the end?

Who will emerge from the murky Democratic primary to try to recapture the governor’s mansion after 20 years of Republican control? Will the “year of the woman” help former Congresswoman Gwen Graham? Can former Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine capitalize on his ground game to win the nomination? Can Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum win the nomination to try to become the state’s first African-American governor? Will the tens of millions of dollars spent by investor Jeff Greene give him the boost he needs, and what about the progressive appeal of businessman Chris King?

Those are only some of the top-of-the-ticket questions going into Tuesday’s primary elections. They don’t touch the myriad questions in congressional races, Cabinet races, legislative races and hundreds of local races.

And just think: The general election is only a little more than two months away.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 26, 2018       

INDIVISIBLE HELPS GILLUM: Ezra Levin, co-founder of the national progressive group Indivisible, will take part in a canvass for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum. (10 a.m., 849 Derbyshire Road, Daytona Beach.)

DEMOCRATS HOLD ‘SOULS TO THE POLLS’ IN BROWARD: Democratic gubernatorial candidates Andrew Gillum and Philip Levine are expected to take part in a “souls to the polls” march to an early-voting site. Former state Sen. Chris Smith, D-Fort Lauderdale, will host the event, which also will include Congressman Alcee Hastings and former Gov. and U.S. Sen. Bob Graham, whose daughter Gwen is a Democratic candidate for governor. (Sunday, 1 p.m., march starts at New Hope Missionary Baptist Church, 1321 N.W. Sixth St., Fort Lauderdale. March ends at African-American Library & Cultural Center, 2650 Sistrunk Blvd., Fort Lauderdale.)

FINAL EARLY VOTES CAST: While early voting will end Saturday in many parts of the state, it will continue through Sunday in some counties such as Broward, Duval, Hillsborough, Miami-Dade, Orange, Palm Beach and Pinellas.

MONDAY, AUGUST 27, 2018

DESANTIS CAMPAIGNS THROUGH STATE: Republican gubernatorial candidate Ron DeSantis will make a series of campaign appearances on the eve of Tuesday’s primary election. (Monday, 8:30 a.m., The Local, 4578 San Jose Blvd., Jacksonville. Also, 10;30 a.m., Tiffany’s Restaurant, 35000 U.S. 19, Palm Harbor. Also, 1:30 p.m., Three Fishermen Seafood Restaurant, 13021 North Cleveland Ave., North Fort Myers. Also, 3:30 p.m., Versailles Cuban Bakery, 3501 S.W. Eighth St., Miami. Also, 5:30 p.m., E.R. Bradley’s Saloon, 104 North Clematis St., West Palm Beach. Also, 8 p.m., Motorsports Hall of Fame of America, 1801 West International Speedway Blvd., Daytona Beach.)

PUTNAM JOINED BY BONDI ON CAMPAIGN SWING: Republican gubernatorial candidate Adam Putnam will be joined by Attorney General Pam Bondi during campaign appearances in Hillsborough, Osceola, Duval and Bay counties. (Monday, 8:30 a.m., Columbia Restaurant, 2117 East Seventh Ave., Tampa. Also, 11:30 a.m., Florida Cattlemen’s Association, 800 Shakerag Road, Kissimmee. Also, 3 p.m., Fraternal Order of Police, 5530 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville. Also, 6 p.m. Central time, Roberts Hall, 831 Florida Ave., Lynn Haven.)

MEDICAID CONTRACT CASES HEARD: Administrative Law Judge John D.C. Newton is scheduled to start a hearing in challenges to the state Agency for Health Care Administration’s decisions in awarding Medicaid managed-care contracts. South Florida Community Care Network, the AIDS Healthcare Foundation and Magellan Complete Care filed the challenges after not receiving contracts they sought. The hearing is expected to continue Tuesday and Wednesday. (Monday, 9 a.m., DeSoto Building, 1230 Apalachee Parkway, Tallahassee.)

AFFORDABLE HOUSING ON AGENDA: The Florida Housing Coalition will start its three-day annual affordable-housing conference. Speakers will include Trey Price, executive director of the Florida Housing Finance Corp. (Monday, opening session at 9 a.m., Rosen Centre Hotel, 9840 International Dr., Orlando.)

CRIST DISCUSSES RED TIDE: U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist, D-Fla., will hold a roundtable discussion about red tide, which is causing major problems in some coastal areas of the state. (11 a.m., University of South Florida St. Petersburg, Marine Science Laboratory, 830 First St. South, St. Petersburg.)

POLK COLLEGE TRUSTEES MEET: The Polk State College Board of Trustees will meet. (Monday, 4 p.m., Polk State College, Lakeland Campus, 3425 Winter Lake Road, Lakeland.)

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., Hilton Melbourne Rialto Place, 200 Rialto Place, Melbourne.)

PRATT, COLEMAN CAMPAIGN IN MANATEE: A meet-and-greet event will be held for Democrats Tracy Pratt, who is running in House District 71, and Liv Coleman, who is running in House District 73. District 71, which includes parts of Manatee and Sarasota counties, is open because Rep. Jim Boyd, R-Bradenton, faces term limits. District 73, which also includes parts of Manatee and Sarasota counties, is open because Rep. Joe Gruters, R-Sarasota, is running for the Senate. (Monday, 7 p.m., 486 Church Road, Palmetto.)

TUESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2018

PRIMARY ELECTION DAY: Primary elections will be held for governor, attorney general, agriculture commissioner, dozens of legislative and congressional seats and hundreds of local offices. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

POLICE ‘STAND YOUR GROUND’ CASE HEARD: The Florida Supreme Court will hear arguments in four cases, including a dispute about whether a Broward County sheriff’s deputy could use the state’s “stand your ground” self-defense law after being charged with manslaughter in an on-duty shooting. Attorney General Pam Bondi’s office contends that Deputy Peter Peraza was not legally entitled to claim immunity under the “stand your ground” law in the 2013 shooting death of Jermaine McBean. Instead, Bondi’s office contends, officers can seek a more-limited type of immunity under another part of state law. The 4th District Court of Appeal, however, upheld a circuit judge’s decision that Peraza was entitled to immunity from prosecution under “stand your ground” and that his use of force was justifiable. The case stems from an incident in which Peraza received a report of a man walking down a street openly carrying a gun. Peraza and another officer pursued the man and ordered him to stop and drop the weapon, the appeals-court ruling said. The man did not drop the weapon, leading Peraza to fatally shoot him. The weapon turned out to be an air rifle. Peraza was indicted on a charge of manslaughter with a firearm but successfully used a “stand your ground” defense. Under the law, a circuit judge held a pre-trial evidentiary hearing before siding with the deputy’s arguments. The controversial “stand your ground” law says people are justified in using deadly force and do not have a “duty to retreat” if they believe it is necessary to prevent death or great bodily harm. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., Florida Supreme Court, 500 South Duval St., Tallahassee.)

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA WATER BOARD MEETS: The Southwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board will meet in Hillsborough County. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., district Tampa Service Office, 7601 U.S. 301, Tampa.)

KING VOTES, HOLDS ELECTION PARTY: Democratic gubernatorial candidate Chris King will vote and later hold an election-night party. (Tuesday, voting at 10 a.m., Glenridge Middle School, 2900 Upper Park Road, Orlando. Also, party at 6:30 p.m., The Alfond Inn, 300 East New England Ave., Winter Park.)

GILLUM VOTES, HOLDS ELECTION PARTY: Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum will vote in Leon County and later hold an election-night party. (Tuesday, voting at 11 a.m., Good Shepherd Catholic Church, 4665 Thomasville Road, Tallahassee. Also, party in evening at Hotel Duval, 415 North Monroe St., Tallahassee.)

GREENE VOTES, HOLDS ELECTION PARTY: Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jeff Greene will vote in Palm Beach County and later hold an election-night party. (Tuesday, voting at 11 a.m., Palm Beach Central Fire Station, 355 South County Road, Palm Beach. Also, party at 7:30 p.m., Tideline Ocean Resort, 2842 South Ocean Blvd., Palm Beach.)

SPORTS TOURISM DISCUSSED: The Sports Tourism Working Group of Triumph Gulf Coast, Inc. will meet. Triumph Gulf Coast helps administer money from a settlement stemming from the Deepwater Horizon disaster. (Tuesday, 1:30 p.m. Central time, Walton County District 5 Office Conference Room, 70 Logan Lane, Santa Rosa Beach.)

RUBIO HOLDS ‘MOBILE’ OFFICE HOURS: Staff members for U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., will hold “mobile” office hours in Lake County. (Tuesday, 4 p.m., American Legion Post 347, 699 West Lady Lake Blvd., Lady Lake.)

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., Palm Beach County Department of Planning, Zoning & Building, The Vista Center, 2300 North Jog Road, West Palm Beach.)

DESANTIS HOLDS ELECTION PARTY: Republican gubernatorial candidate Ron DeSantis will hold an election-night party in Central Florida. (Tuesday, 6 p.m., Rosen Shingle Creek, 9939 Universal Blvd., Orlando.)

MOODY HOLDS ELECTION PARTY: Ashley Moody, a Republican candidate for attorney general, will hold an election-night party. (Tuesday, 6 p.m., Floridan Palace Hotel, 905 North Florida Ave., Tampa.)

MAST HOLDS ELECTION PARTY: U.S. Rep. Brian Mast, R-Fla., will hold an election-night party in Martin County. (6 p.m., Flagler Place, 201 S.W. Flagler Ave., Stuart.)

PUTNAM HOLDS ELECTION PARTY: Republican gubernatorial candidate Adam Putnam will hold an election-night party in Polk County. (Tuesday, 6:30 p.m., The Terrace Hotel, 329 East Main St., Lakeland.)

LEVINE HOLDS ELECTION PARTY: Democratic gubernatorial candidate Philip Levine will hold an election-night watch party. (Tuesday, 7:30 p.m., Levine campaign headquarters, 2215 N.W. First Place, Miami.)

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 29, 2018

SUPREME COURT CONSIDERS DOG RACING BAN: The Florida Supreme Court will hear arguments in four cases, including a battle about whether a proposed ban on greyhound racing should go on the November ballot. The Florida Constitution Revision Commission this spring approved placing the proposed racing ban on the ballot. The measure, one of eight proposed constitutional amendments approved by the commission, would ban commercial greyhound racing in the state after Dec. 31, 2020. But the Florida Greyhound Association, which represents breeders, owners and trainers, filed a lawsuit arguing that the proposal, known as Amendment 13, should be kept off the ballot because it would be misleading to voters. Leon County Circuit Judge Karen Gievers agreed with the greyhound association, prompting the state to appeal. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Florida Supreme Court, 500 South Duval St., Tallahassee.)

VETERANS HONORED IN OCALA: A “Governor’s Veterans Service Award” ceremony is scheduled in Marion County. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., National Guard Armory, 900 S.W. 20th St., Ocala.)

DEVELOPMENT FINANCE BOARD MEETS: The Florida Development Finance Corp. Board of Directors will take up issues related to the Brightline passenger-rail system, which is planned to eventually link Miami and Orlando. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport, 9300 Jeff Fuqua Blvd., Orlando. Call-in number: 1-646-741-5292. Code: 112 736 4193)

INFANT MENTAL HEALTH AT ISSUE: The Florida Department of Children and Families will hold a meeting in Palm Beach County about infant and early-childhood mental health. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., DCF West Palm Beach office, 111 South Sapodilla Ave., West Palm Beach.)

UTILITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT MONEY AT ISSUE: The Florida Public Service Commission will take an initial step in considering a proposal that would allow electric utilities to recover more money from customers for economic-development efforts.  Florida Power & Light, Gulf Power Co. and Tampa Electric Co. filed a proposal last month asking the Public Service Commission to revamp a rule that limits the amount of customer money that can go to economic development. The proposal would change a formula that takes into account the utilities’ gross annual revenues and effectively caps the economic-development amount at $3 million a year. The commission will decide whether to start a rule-making process. Such a decision would not mean that the commission has agreed to make the changes requested by the utilities. (Wednesday, 9:30 a.m., Betty Easley Conference Center, 4075 Esplanade Way, Tallahassee.)

UNEMPLOYMENT CASES CONSIDERED: The state Reemployment Assistance Appeals Commission will meet. (Wednesday, 9:30 a.m., 101 Rhyne Building, 2740 Centerview Dr., Tallahassee.)

RUBIO HOLDS ‘MOBILE’ OFFICE HOURS: Staff members for U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., will hold “mobile” office hours in Osceola, Lee, Brevard and Escambia counties. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., West Osceola Library, 305 Campus St., Kissimmee. Also, 10 a.m., 1510 Estero Blvd., Fort Myers Beach. Also, 2 p.m., Titusville Library, 2121 South Hopkins Ave., Titusville. Also, 2 p.m. Central time, Molino Branch Public Library, 6450-A Highway 95A North, Molino.)

SPACE FLORIDA FINANCES EYED: Space Florida’s Audit and Accountability Committee will hold a conference call. (Wednesday, 11 a.m. Call-in number: 1-866-528-2256. Code; 4053892#.)

PATRONIS RAISES MONEY IN PALM BEACH: Republican state Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis is slated to raise money during an event in Palm Beach County. (Wednesday, 4 p.m., Bahama Paradise Cruise Line, 1 East 11th St., Riviera Beach.)

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. (Wednesday, 6 p.m., Miami City Hall, 3500 Pan American Dr., Miami.)

THURSDAY, AUGUST 30, 2018

INFANT MENTAL HEALTH AT ISSUE: The Florida Department of Children and Families will hold one in a series of meetings across the state about infant and early-childhood mental health. (Thursday, 9 a.m., United Way of Miami-Dade, Center for Excellence in Early Education Demonstration School, 3250 S.W. Third Ave., Miami.)

DEFENSE ISSUES DISCUSSED: The Florida Defense Alliance, which works on issues to make Florida a “military friendly” state, will hold a conference call. (Thursday, 9 a.m. Call-in number: 1-800-501-8979. Code: 1869945)

RUBIO HOLDS ‘MOBILE’ OFFICE HOURS: Staff members for U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., will hold “mobile” office hours in Leon, Sumter, Wakulla, Volusia and Escambia counties. (Thursday, 10 a.m., LeRoy Collins Leon County Public Library, 200 West Park Ave., Tallahassee. Also, 10 a.m., The Savannah Center, 1545 Buena Vista Blvd., The Villages. Also, 1 p.m., Wakulla County Commission chamber, 3093 Crawfordville Highway, Crawfordville. Also, 2:30 p.m., Ormond Beach Library, 30 South Beach St., Ormond Beach. Also, 3 p.m. Central time, VFW Post 706, 5000 Lillian Highway, Pensacola.)

SUPREME COURT RELEASES OPINIONS: The Florida Supreme Court is expected to resume releasing regular weekly opinions after an annual break. (11 a.m.)

I-95 RAMP IMPROVEMENTS DISCUSSED: The Florida Department of Transportation will hold an open house on improvements to the Interstate 95 and Atlantic Avenue interchange in Delray Beach. (Thursday, 4 p.m. Delray Beach Environmental Services Department, 434 South Swinton Ave., Delray Beach.)

ROAD EXTENSION EYED: The Florida Department of Transportation will discuss a reevaluation of a project development and environment study for an extension of State Road 710 in Okeechobee. (Thursday, 5 p.m. Okeechobee KOA Convention Center, 4276 U.S. 441 South, Okeechobee.)

CONSTITUTION REVISION PANELS AT ISSUE: The Florida Historic Capitol Museum is hosting a panel discussion about the history of the state’s Constitution Revision Commission. Panelists will include former Florida State University President Talbot “Sandy” D’Alemberte, who served on the commission in 1978; former House Speaker James Harold Thompson, a member of the 1998 commission; and former state Sen. Lisa Carlton, who was part of this year’s commission. (Thursday, 5:30 p.m. Florida Historic Capitol Museum, 400 South Monroe St., Tallahassee.)

EXPRESSWAY AUTHORITY DISCUSSES PROJECT: The Central Florida Expressway Authority will hold an open house about a proposed Lake/Orange County connector project. (Thursday, 5:30 p.m., Clermont Arts & Recreation Center, 3700 South U.S. 27, Clermont.)

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. (Thursday, 6 p.m., Key Colony Beach City Hall, 600 West Ocean Dr., Key Colony Beach.)

FRIDAY, AUGUST 31, 2018

NORTHWEST WATER DISTRICT HOLDS MEETINGS: The Northwest Florida Water Management District will hold meetings in Washington and Bay counties to discuss proposed purchases of conservation easements from Nestle Waters North America, Inc. and Circle H Properties. (Friday, 9:30 a.m. Central time, Washington County Commission board room, 1331 South Blvd., Chipley. Also, 2 p.m. Central time, Bay County Government Center, 840 West 11th St., Panama City.)

FINANCE REPORTS DUE: Statewide candidates and political committees face a Friday deadline for filing reports showing finance activity through Aug. 24.