Legislative Update - February 4, 2022

The Florida Legislature has two duties to perform this session.  One, pass a balance budget.  The House and Senate released their budgets on Friday, placing them into the proper posture to begin the budget process. 

The other duty for this year is redistricting.  Yesterday, the Senate voted 37-0 to approve the new House and Senate maps.  The next step is for Attorney General Ashley Moody to petition the Florida Supreme Court to review.  Normally, the review process takes 45-60 days.  If approved by the Court, the new districts would take effect for the 2022 elections.

Meanwhile, Congressional maps are on hold after Governor Ron DeSantis asked for the Florida Supreme Court to intervene.  DeSantis tried to have the legislature consider his version of the Congressional map, but his request was not considered.  Two Supreme Court Judges have reclused themselves from the situation, Charles Canady and Alan Lawson.

Campbell Seated to Represent HD 94 - Democratic Rep.-Elect Daryl Campbell began his legislative duties Monday, filling a vacancy in House District 94 left open when Rep. Bobby Dubose resigned to run unsuccessfully for Congress. Officials in the House speaker's office said Friday that they'd received a letter from the Division of Elections officially certifying Campbell as the winner of the special election to represent the district. Campbell won a Jan. 11 primary, but no one else was on the ballot for the March 8 general election. That's three days before the session ends in March and Democrats were concerned that the district might have gone unrepresented until the session was nearly over. House District 94 is a majority-Black district in Broward County that has solidly voted Democratic. Sun Sentinel / Miami Herald / Florida Politics / House Democrats Release / LobbyTools Special Elections Page

With inflation helping boost sales tax collections, money continues to amass for state lawmakers as they patch together a budget for next fiscal year.

State economists reported Thursday that general-revenue tax collections in December were $610.9 million, or 19.3 percent, over a projection made in August. General revenue totaled $3.771 billion during the month, compared to the projection of about $3.16 billion.

Nearly 87 percent of the gains in the December figures came from sales taxes, which were boosted as consumers paid more for goods because of inflation.

“Gasoline prices in Florida skyrocket by double digits in last week” via USA TODAY — Prices heading into the week increased by 12 cents, just 1 cent lower than last year’s high of $3.36, which were the highest gas prices have climbed since 2014, according to AAA-The Auto Club Group. The sharp increases in price to consumers are linked to the rising cost of crude oil, from which gasoline is refined. AAA is predicting prices to continue to climb. Crude oil prices have risen by 15% since the start of the year, setting a new market high on Wednesday at $87.35 a barrel. "Unfortunately for drivers, it doesn't seem that oil prices will see any significant relief anytime soon. Gas prices may only get more expensive as fuel demand increases because of spring break and summer road trips,” AAA spokesman Mark Jenkins said in his weekly briefing.

“Florida gained almost half a million jobs; health and education sector see growth” via Kelsie Cairns of ABC 7 — Florida jobs numbers are out for 2021. As compared to 2020, the state gained close to half a million jobs, according to the Department of Economic Opportunity. Of those jobs, over 50,000 were created in the health and education sector. The actual figures note 479,300 jobs were created; among those, 51,900 health and education jobs were added. In 2021, the total job growth increased to 5.6%. While over 50,000 doesn’t seem like much, compared to the near 500,000, the health and health science industry is booming! More and more professionals at all experience levels are applying to pharmaceutical and medical device companies.

“Ashley Moody joins multistate lawsuit against family-unification plan for immigrants” via Michael Moline of Florida Phoenix — Moody has joined in an eight-state lawsuit challenging a Biden administration program that allows children from three Central American countries to enter the United States and possibly qualify for residency. The Central American Minors program will enable parents and legal guardians legally in the United States to bring in their children from El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras and seek refugee status. Moody, along with other GOP Attorneys General, filed a 34-page complaint arguing the program unjustifiably conflates two federal statutes to create an illegal immigration scheme. “The Biden administration created it without consideration of the effects it will have on the plaintiff states and the continuing crisis along the Southwest Border. The administration created it without notice-and-comment rule-making,” the complaint reads.

Below are articles about these issues and others …

“Florida Legislature approves redistricting maps for Senate and House” via Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics — The cartography has now shifted from a legislative matter to one of judicial scrutiny. The bill (SB 100) passed out of the Senate Thursday on a 37-0 vote. Notably, the Senate map last month earned three ‘no’ votes from Democratic Sens. Audrey Gibson, Gary Farmer and Victor Torres — citing concerns about the fact the Senate map holds the same number of minority access districts as are in place now, despite growth in Hispanic populations. Similar concerns dogged the House map, approved with far less bipartisanship on a near party-line 77-39 vote. Sen. Ray Rodrigues, Reapportionment Committee chair, encouraged Senators to stay above the fray. “I ask we give our colleagues in the House the same deference they have provided to us on our map,” he said. The legislative maps, unlike congressional maps in the works, passed as a joint resolution and can become law without the involvement of the Governor’s Office.

“Florida House passes state House map for 2022 and coming decade” via Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics — The final map passed off the House floor in a largely party-line vote. A bill (SJR 100) now returns to the Senate, which has already passed its map covering 40 Senate districts. The legislation includes both a House and Senate map. As a joint resolution, it will go into effect without the involvement of the Governor. But the legislation still must pass muster with the Florida Supreme Court, which opened a case file in anticipation this week. The map places 19 incumbent representatives in the same districts as colleagues within the chamber. That’s a list that includes Republican Rep. Daniel Perez and Democratic Rep. Fentrice Driskell. Either could become House Speaker in 2024. Two lawmakers, Republican Rep. Mike Caruso and Democratic Rep. Christopher Benjamin, have already stated they intend to move to other districts to run.

“Frozen out? House Democrats won’t file amendments, expect little input on redistricting maps” via Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics — House Democrats don’t anticipate offering amendments to a House redistricting map heading to the chamber floor Tuesday. “We all know this is something headed toward the judiciary,” said House Democratic Leader Jenne. Unlike the Senate, which passed new Senate and Congressional maps with largely bipartisan support, a map (H 8013) for Florida’s 120 House districts has moved through committee with mostly party-line votes. The House map set for consideration Tuesday afternoon has seen only one Democratic vote in its favor so far. Jenne said that’s the result of a non-transparent process, and one he doesn’t anticipate changing this Session. Issues raised by Democrats about the failure to consider language minorities could create cartography at risk of failing a judicial review

“Chris Sprowls defends DeSantis involvement in congressional redistricting” via Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics

“Al Lawson: Discarding CD 5 configuration would violate Voting Rights Act” via Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics — U.S. Rep. Lawson criticized DeSantis’ efforts to delegitimize his North Florida district. The comments come a day after the Republican Governor asked the Florida Supreme Court to weigh in on the configuration of Florida’s 5th Congressional District. The district is the only Democrat-leaning congressional jurisdiction in North Florida. It’s also a predominantly Black district, and Lawson argues dismantling the district would violate the federal Voting Rights Act. DeSantis, previously a Congressman based in Ponte Vedra Beach, penned a filing with the court calling into question the need for a 200-mile district connecting Tallahassee and Jacksonville minority communities.

“Small, historically-Black Florida town set to lose Black Congressman under DeSantis redistricting” via Fresh Take Florida — A small, historically Black city an hour east of Tallahassee is in the crosshairs of a controversial redistricting plan by DeSantis. The plan would radically redraw the state’s 5th Congressional District and could cost the Black Democrat who represents it his seat in Congress. Madison is a rural community with about 3,000 people, almost two-thirds of whom are Black. Its Congressman, Al Lawson, is a Democratic former longtime state lawmaker who won his House seat in 2016 and is one of five Black members of Congress from Florida. If DeSantis’ redistricting plan were approved, Lawson wouldn’t represent Madison anymore. He could be vulnerable to losing his next election in the new mostly Republican and White district created.

—”Florida Legislature moves ahead with redraw of districts, but waits on Ron DeSantis and court” via John Kennedy of USA Today Network

Budget Subs Begin Releasing Proposals - The state budget is starting to come together as appropriation subcommittees begin unveiling their respective spending plans. The Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services rolled out a $47.8 billion proposal on Wednesday which is nearly 7% higher than last year's budget. The largest portion includes funding to bring state and contract workers, nursing home employees and direct care workers pay up to a minimum of $15 per hour. Gov. Ron DeSantis released his proposed budget weeks ago and other committees are also presenting their budget proposals. Florida Politics

“House skimps on DeSantis’ jobs fund, avoids gas tax cut in early budget proposal” via Gray Rohrer of Florida Politics — DeSantis’ push to cut the state gas tax isn’t part of the House’s transportation and economic development budget proposal released Wednesday, and his request for a $100 million grant fund to dole out to infrastructure and job training projects was reduced to $25 million. The House Infrastructure & Tourism Appropriations Subcommittee unveiled its initial budget plan, totaling $15.6 billion. Most of that, about $10.8 billion, will go to the Department of Transportation’s work program. The budget plan shows the money coming from trust funds, including gas taxes. DeSantis wants a five-month moratorium on the gas tax, which is about 25 cents per gallon, starting July 1, the first day of the next fiscal year.

“House Appropriations Committee OK’s Governor’s rainy day fund proposal” via Jason Delgado of Florida Politics — The House Appropriations Committee OK’d two measures Monday that would provide the Governor with a rainy-day fund in the event of an emergency. Under the bills (HB 7023 and 7025), lawmakers would equip the Governor with a $500 million response fund they could use during a declared state of emergency. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Dana Trabulsy, originally flushed the fund with $1 billion. An amendment, however, slashed the proposed fund in half. “We reduced it based on the feedback we got during the committee that $1 billion might be a large sum to start with, and we also wanted to pair with our Senate companion,” Trabulsy said, referring to the Pandemic and Public Emergencies Committee.

Murky Immigrant Relocation Program Companies Would be Hard to Discipline – None Appear to Have State Contracts - As Gov. Ron DeSantis and Republican legislators seek to bar state contracts with air charter companies that ferry undocumented immigrants into the state on federal government contracts, a difficulty in identifying the companies raises a potential problem for the effort. Politico reported over the weekend that currently it is not clear who some of the companies are, and of those that can be identified, none have any state contracts anyway. Politico 

DeSantis: Questions About Nazi Demonstrations Are Effort to Smear Him - Gov. Ron DeSantis responded to weekend Nazi demonstrations in Orlando by saying Democrats were trying to use the protests to smear him. Asked to respond to the protests, the governor said law enforcement would take care of the protesters and defended his administration's support for Jewish people and the state of Israel. "These Democrats who are trying to use this as some type of political issue to try to smear me as if I had something to do with that, we're not playing their game," the governor said during a press conference in Palm Beach. Miami Herald / Orlando Sentinel / USA Today Network

“Background check: UCLA supervisor wouldn’t recommend Joseph Ladapo for Florida Surgeon General job” Jeffrey Schweers of the USA Today Network — A former supervisor of Ladapo would not recommend him for the job, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s background investigation for his confirmation to the top medical post. “In my opinion, the people of Florida would be better served by a Surgeon General who grounds his policy decisions and recommendations on the best scientific evidence rather than opinions,” the unnamed supervisor at the University of California, Los Angeles, said in the Jan. 18 report prepared by a senior crime intelligence analyst for the Senate.

Related: Transcript of Gov. Ron DeSantis' remarks on Nazi demonstrators. Orlando Sentinel

Legislation …

“‘No Patient Left Alone Act’ ensuring hospital, nursing home visitations advances” via Jesse Scheckner of Florida Politics — Legislation aimed at strengthening patient visitation rights in hospitals, nursing homes, and other health care facilities across Florida now has just one more committee hearing to go before reaching the Senate floor. The bill (SB 988), dubbed the “No Patient Left Alone Act,” cleared the Senate Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services Wednesday after roughly 15 minutes of conversation. Most speakers supported the bill outright, but one asked for better safeguards against potential disease outbreaks. Sen. Ileana Garcia, the bill’s sponsor, spoke of the uncertainty that patients, nursing home residents and their families faced during the COVID-19 pandemic when many health care facilities blocked or limited visitations.

“Senate panel votes down exceptions for rape, incest in 15-week abortion ban” via Skyler Swisher of the Orlando Sentinel — A Florida Senate committee voted Wednesday against including exceptions for rape, incest and human trafficking in a bill that would ban most abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy. State Sen. Lauren Book, a survivor of sexual assault, proposed the amendment, which she said was needed to prevent further trauma on women and girls. The Republican-led Health Policy Committee rejected Book’s amendment Wednesday in a voice vote, so there is no record of how each member voted. The 15-week abortion ban then advanced on a 6-4 party-line vote, with all Republicans in favor and all Democrats voting no.

—”Lori Berman, Anna Eskamani join 450 doctors and health care workers in speaking against 15-week abortion ban” via Daniel Figueroa of Florida Politics

“Democrats expect Republicans to give no ground in abortion fight” via Jason Delgado of Florida Politics — House Minority Leader Evan Jenne on Monday said Democratic opposition would remain firm against a proposal that would ban abortion after 15 weeks, even if Republicans offer to include exceptions for rape or incest. Styled after a Mississippi law that’s currently under review by the U.S. Supreme Court, the bill would ban abortions after 15 weeks and provides no carveouts for rape, incest or human trafficking. Speaking to reporters, Jenne suggested such carveouts may appease moderate Republicans, but not Democrats, who oppose the bill at large. Republicans have shot down several dozen Democratic-sponsored amendments on the bill.

“Senate health care budget boasts cash for nursing homes, but adds no critical care funding” via Christine Jordan Sexton of Florida Politics — Sen. Aaron Bean rolled out a $47.8 billion health care spending plan that directs $685.5 million to ensure nursing home staff and direct care providers that care for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities get a pay bump. Bean called the $304 million rate increases for nursing homes “massive” but said the caveat is the money must be directed to ensure that everyone who works for a nursing home is paid $15 an hour. Senate President Wilton Simpson has pushed to increase state employees’ wages, and people who have state-contracted positions, to $15 per hour. The spending plan is also devoid of additional dollars to provide enhanced Medicaid payments to hospitals that offer the most charity care in the state.

“Immigration enforcement bill clears first House committee” via Jason Delgado of Florida Politics — A House panel gave a thumbs-up Thursday to a bill that would intensify Florida’s crackdown against illegal immigration. The bill (HB 1355) is a multi-prong proposal inspired by DeSantis. It would require law enforcement to cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. It would also prevent local governments from contracting with businesses that transport immigrants who’ve entered the country unlawfully. Rep. John Snyder is the bill sponsor. The Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee OK’d the measure 12-5 vote. “This bill is about a federal government that has completely relinquished control of the southern border,” Snyder told committee members.

Property Insurance Measure Advances - A proposal seeking to help Florida’s property insurance market cleared the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee on Wednesday after last year’s bill that aimed to reduce lawsuits and fraud relating to roof claims failed to lower policy rates. A portion of last session’s language regarding solicitation by roofers has been blocked by the courts. This year, lawmakers are considering a measure that would require roofers to disclose that filing a false insurance claim is a felony crime and that consumers must pay all insurance deductibles. SB 1728 would allow homeowner policies to only cover the depreciated or actual cash value of a roof, instead of a full replacement. Currently, state law requires businesses to ensure the full cost to replace the roof. Additionally, the proposal would limit qualifications for coverage under the state-supported Citizens Property Insurance, which could grow to more than one million policies by the end of the year. Under the bill, Florida homeowners could only obtain a Citizens policy if a private company could not come within the 20% of the lower Citizens rate. The committee approval of the legislation coincidentally comes a day after the Florida Farm Bureau said it will stop writing new home insurance policies. A similar House companion measure, HB 1307, also cleared the House Insurance and Banking Subcommittee on Wednesday. Both bills have two more committee stops. Insurance Journal

Bill Would Give Governor Choice in How Agency Heads Are Approved - Rules surrounding appointments of people to lead state agencies made by the governor could change under legislation that cleared the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee on Monday. SB 1658, sponsored by Sen. Aaron Bean, R-Jacksonville, would repeal the need for a unanimous Cabinet vote for some new state agency heads appointed by the governor and instead give the governor the choice of having the nominee approved by the Cabinet or be confirmed by the Senate. Currently, the governor's appointments to head some state agencies need approval from the full Cabinet, which at the moment includes Democrat Nikki Fried, the agriculture commissioner and a potential opponent for DeSantis in the upcoming governor's race. The measure has one more committee stop, along with a similar version in the House (HB 1295). Florida Politics / Florida Phoenix

“Florida GOP leaders unveil new bill with election law changes sought by DeSantis” via Zac Anderson and John Kennedy of the USA TODAY Network — Republican Sen. Travis Hutson on Monday unveiled legislation with a slew of changes to Florida's voting laws, including a proposal sought by DeSantis to create a new police force investigating voter fraud and a mandate to purge voter rolls more frequently. The bill comes as Trump continues to spread unfounded claims about fraud in the 2020 election, an issue that has inflamed the GOP base and put pressure on the state's Republican leaders to act. “Confidence in the integrity of our elections is essential to maintaining a democratic form of government," Hutson said in filing the legislation, which is being proposed as an amendment to a bill (SB 524). The legislation is scheduled for a Tuesday hearing in the Senate Committee on Ethics and Elections.

COVID-19

“Florida COVID-19 update: State sees 720 new deaths, and the latest on hospitalizations” via Devoun Cetoute of the Miami Herald — Florida on Thursday reported 17,612 COVID-19 cases and 720 new deaths to the CDC. The CDC backlogs cases and deaths for Florida on Mondays and Thursdays, when multiple days in the past had their totals changed. In August, Florida began reporting cases and deaths by the “case date” and “death date” rather than the date they were logged into the system. Of the deaths added, about 99% occurred in the past 28 days and about 68% in the last two weeks.

Health Care …

“Background check: UCLA supervisor wouldn’t recommend Joseph Ladapo for Florida Surgeon General job” Jeffrey Schweers of the USA Today Network — A former supervisor of Ladapo would not recommend him for the job, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s background investigation for his confirmation to the top medical post. “In my opinion, the people of Florida would be better served by a Surgeon General who grounds his policy decisions and recommendations on the best scientific evidence rather than opinions,” the unnamed supervisor at the University of California, Los Angeles, said in the Jan. 18 report prepared by a senior crime intelligence analyst for the Senate.

“Miami nurse’s rent increased almost 40% overnight as Florida housing prices surge” via Sam Sachs of WFLA — Strapped inventory and dramatic price increases are making Florida’s housing affordability a big problem, even for people with jobs in high demand. Joe Flahie, an ICU nurse, lives in Miami with his wife and two kids, but can no longer afford the rent. With one call from his landlord, Flahie’s rent went from $1,725 a month to $2,400, a nearly 40% increase. Rent increases are becoming the name of the game. The country’s most expensive rent is in New York City, where a one-bedroom rents for a median price of $3,260. In the Top 10 cities with high rent prices, Miami and Fort Lauderdale both entered the ranks for priciest one-bedroom apartments, while the rest of the nation has averaged a 12% rent increase for one-bedroom apartments.

“With Dr. Raul Pino on ‘administrative leave,’ who’s in charge of the Orange Health Department?” via Stephen Hudak of the Orlando Sentinel — Since Pino, the chief health officer in Orange County, was placed on administrative leave after raising concern about the lack of vaccinations among the agency’s staff, state officials will not say who is in charge of the Health Department in Florida’s sixth-largest county. The office’s website lists Beth A. Paterniti as deputy health officer, a post she has filled since November 2020. Her photo appears below Pino’s on the website. But the state Health Department has not answered the question, “Who is running the Health Department in Orange County now?” Inquiries posed by email to state health officials more than 10 days ago have been ignored or funneled through a public records portal.

Campaigns and Elections …

Senate E&E to Take Up New Election Security Bill - The Senate Ethics and Elections Committee is scheduled to consider new legislation relating to state election security on Tuesday. SB 524, sponsored by Sen. Travis Hutson, R-Palm Coast, would increase penalties for violating Florida's election laws. A rewrite of the bill was filed Monday which would include the creation of an "Office of Election Crimes and Security." Among other provisions, the bill would also require voters to put more information on mail-in ballots, including part of their driver's license number, ID card number or social security number. Additionally, private donations for election activities, including litigation costs, would be prohibited. Gov. Ron DeSantis has verbally supported increasing investigations and strengthening election law violations. Currently, no House companion bill is filed. Hutson Press Release / Florida Phoenix / USA Today Network 

Florida Voting Law Challenge Starts Today in Federal Court - A federal trial begins today that takes up a challenge alleging that elderly, disabled, and other voters will be harmed by a new voting law in Florida. Bloomberg Law / Tallahassee Democrat

Trial Begins in Challenge to Florida's Voting Law - Testimony began Monday in federal court in a trial challenging an election law signed last year by Gov. Ron DeSantis. SB 90 of 2021 made numerous changes to Florida's voting laws, including restrictions on the use of ballot drop boxes, but was marketed as an election security measure. Voters are now required to sign up for mail-in ballots every year and the law also has new ID and signature requirements. It also became illegal for someone other than an immediate family member to deliver more than two ballots to the Supervisor of Elections' office, with an exception for nursing homes. Over two-dozen plaintiffs, including The League of Women Voters, allege the new law is discriminatory and keeps minorities from being able to exercise their constitutional right to vote. During the first day of remote testimony, the organization also claimed the law discourages people from registering to vote and will result in lower turnout. In 2020, just under 9 million Floridians voted early or by mail, while only 1.9 million voted in person. The trial is expected to last two weeks and Judge Mark Walker will have to decide if the new election law conflicts with federal law. Tallahassee Democrat / Tampa Bay Times-Miami Herald / Associated Press

Five things to know about the federal trial over Florida’s new voting law

A federal trial challenging recent changes to Florida’s voting laws began Monday with voting rights groups claiming the laws have made it harder to register voters. During a day of testimony over the video conferencing software Zoom, advocates claimed that one of the lesser-discussed changes to the state’s voting laws has created a chilling effect on both potential voters and those who try to sign them up to vote. More from the  Tampa Bay Times and the Miami Herald.

Ideas: Gelber Suggests Democrats Should Open Primaries to Non Party Voters - Democrats should let independent, or no-party voters cast ballots in Democratic primaries as a way of reducing the typical campaign lean toward the party's most loyal and strident voters, former state Sen. Dan Gelber says. Allowing no-party voters to vote in the party's primary would push the party more toward the center, and toward the concerns of the fastest growing segment of the electorate – those without a party – by forcing candidates to address their concerns. Currently, Gelber said, Democrats spend all their "time and money competing in primaries courting the most hard-core, fully ignoring a wider swath of voters who are more representative of the electorate we will ultimately compete for." Gelber argued in a letter to state Democratic Party Chairman Manny Diaz that the party can make the move unilaterally, citing a U.S. Supreme Court opinion saying the parties can determine who they allow to vote in their primaries. The move, Gelber said, might push the country back toward a more civil political life. Florida Politics / Gelber Letter

Taddeo Kicks Off Gubernatorial Election Campaign Tour - Miami Democratic state Sen. Annette Taddeo began an RV tour over the weekend kicking off her run for governor. Taddeo is one of three prominent Democrats seeking to challenge sitting Gov. Ron DeSantis in the fall. Tallahassee Democrat 

“‘Dr. Anthony Fauci can pound sand’: DeSantis’ campaign sells new flip-flops and more to keep skewering doctor” via Wells Dusenbury of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel — DeSantis is taking more shots at Dr. Fauci with his latest campaign merchandise, this time adding flip-flops that read, “Fauci can pound sand.” The Florida governor has repeatedly criticized Fauci during the COVID-19 pandemic for what DeSantis perceived to be overly stringent safety guidelines. One of the latest items is the so-called “Freedom Over Fauci Flip Flops,” selling for $39. DeSantis’ website touts them as having high-quality soles, “which create a special message to Dr. Fauci as you walk through the sand.”

“DeSantis strategizes for his future while Trump obsesses over his election loss” via Stephen Collinson of CNN — Trump is still waging his hopeless fight to win the last White House race. But his possible heir apparent, DeSantis, already seems to be trying to triumph in the next one. The former President’s increasingly fantastical obsession with an election that he lost shows his determination to pin the Republican Party’s future on a personal quest for vengeance that would restore his tarnished self-image as a winner. But DeSantis is directly engaging Biden, who plans to run for re-election, on multiple fronts that send an electric political charge through the GOP base.

U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist has a commanding lead in the Democratic Primary for Governor, according to a new poll commissioned by his campaign.

The poll of 800 likely Democratic Primary voters showed Crist, a former Governor, with 54% support — nearly double that of Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried (28%) and leagues ahead of Sen. Annette Taddeo (7%).

Another 11% of Democrats remain undecided six months out from Election Day.

The GBAO poll also found Crist with solid support among key demographics. He’s the pick for 61% of Black voters and 54% of White voters. The Congressman also holds a plurality among Hispanic Democrats, pulling 44% support compared to 21% for Fried and 17% for Taddeo. The gulf between Crist and Fried was equally pronounced among women (52%-28%) and men (57%-27%).

Southwest Florida is the most Crist-friendly pocket of the state. He enjoys 66% support there versus 26% for Fried and 4% for Taddeo.

The lone region where Crist does not hold a majority: North Florida. Nevertheless, he leads with 45% of Democrats supporting him compared to 34% backing Fried and 8% backing Taddeo.

GBAO conducted the poll Jan. 26-31 via live interviews on cellphones and landlines. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points at a 95% confidence level.

“Erin Grall to run for Senate in proposed SD 29” via Scott Powers of Florida Politics — Republican Rep. Grall is filing to run for the new Senate District 29 seat. Under the Senate’s redistricting map approved last month, the newly formed and newly numbered district is clear of any incumbents and does not appear to have any other challengers. For now, that gives Grall a clear path into the Senate. The proposed new SD 29 would be centered in Vero Beach, stretching along the Atlantic coast from Sebastian to Port St. Lucie, then moving inland to take in parts of several counties rimming the northern and western shores of Lake Okeechobee. Grall’s popularity with her base may have been evidenced by the impressive host committee for her House re-election fundraiser in December.