AGP Executive Report

Primary Election Day: Floridians head to the polls Tuesday in a closed-primary setup that will decide nominees for governor, Congress, Cabinet races, and more, with polling places open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Governor race: Byron Donalds, backed by President Trump, is favored in the GOP contest to succeed term-limited Ron DeSantis, while Democrats look to David Jolly; turnout and the new congressional map are adding extra stakes. Campaign drama: The GOP primary field is still drawing sharp attacks and identity-and-values fights, while Democrats are testing whether progressive messaging lands in a reliably red state. Housing affordability: A new report argues HUD spending hasn’t meaningfully improved affordability and that the “affordability gap” is wide even in Florida. Local budget pressure: Polk County leaders are weighing a 1% infrastructure sales tax to offset potential losses tied to Amendment 3. Health and safety: Hospitalists face rising decision fatigue when patient loads climb, and Florida’s election season continues alongside broader debates over public health rules and safety. Tech and politics: AI and crypto money are swirling around Florida races as candidates and outside groups compete for influence.

Election Countdown: Florida’s Aug. 18 primary is set, with early voting already done and officials urging voters to double-check polling places and IDs; Broward reported slow turnout even as ballots are being tabulated. Governor Race Watch: The GOP contest is framed as a Donalds-vs.-Jolly setup in the broader race, while Trump’s endorsements spotlight Sydney Gruters (CD16) and Catalina Lauf (CD19). Statewide Voting Admin: Secretary of State Cord Byrd reminded voters polls open 7 a.m.-7 p.m., with voter ID required and results posted on Florida Election Watch. Legal & Courts: A class action targets BRP/Sea-Doo Switch pontoon boats over alleged “unsafe” design and deceptive practices. Public Safety/Infrastructure: Electronic tolling is scheduled to start Aug. 22 on the Howard Frankland Bridge express lanes via SunPass. Local Governance: Sarasota is still answering questions after FDOT-ordered street art removal, with a new “faux brick” crosswalk raising what’s allowed in public rights of way.

Florida Primary Countdown: With Tuesday’s Aug. 18 election day looming, Osceola voters who skipped early voting can still vote at home precincts from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday—bring photo ID and check your polling place online. Property Tax Fight: A Florida constitutional amendment would boost homestead exemptions, but opponents warn it could cost counties and cities nearly $12 billion; a judge ordered neutral ballot wording after claims the original summary was biased. Campaign Trail: Rep. Byron Donalds made a final push in Lakeland, tying his pitch to lower insurance and health-care costs and urging supporters to get out the vote. Voting Rules Watch: The student-ID debate keeps spreading—New Hampshire just banned using student IDs at the polls, and Florida’s similar restriction is set to begin in 2027. Economy Update: State economists raised revenue projections by nearly $1 billion amid uncertainty tied to tariffs, inflation, and oil-market disruption. Public Safety & Courts: A Florida man pleaded guilty after OpenAI flagged his ChatGPT murder plot to the FBI. Sports: Tommy John, the pitcher and elbow-surgery pioneer who helped redefine careers, died at 83 in Bradenton.

Florida Primary Countdown: Early voting wrapped up in Miami-Dade and Broward, with voters citing convenience and avoiding Tuesday lines as they head to the Aug. 18 primary. Election Integrity & Access: A separate report highlights how Florida’s closed primary rules still leave room for nonpartisan and universal contests, plus reminders on “vote for one” governor/lieutenant governor ticket mechanics. AI Money in Politics: AI-focused super PACs are pouring tens of millions into state and federal races, with Florida named among the states seeing big spending. Free Speech Fight: Bogus copyright takedowns are reportedly scrubbing political stories from Google search results ahead of Florida’s primary. Campaign Pressure in Congress: In Florida’s 7th District GOP primary, polling suggests Cory Mills is trailing Ryan Elijah, even as DeSantis publicly distances from Mills. Courts & Trump: The BBC is asking a Florida court to force testimony and documents from Ivanka Trump, Jared Kushner, and Donald Trump Jr. in a $10B defamation case. Sports Medicine Loss: Tommy John, the pitcher whose elbow surgery became a medical landmark, died at 83 in Florida.

Election Countdown (Aug. 18): Florida’s primary is Tuesday, with polls open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and voters required to use assigned locations. Voting Logistics: Vote-by-mail and absentee ballots must be received or delivered by 7 p.m. at the county elections office. Local Elections (Northwest FL): Early voting locations have closed in Escambia County, where voters also decide whether the school superintendent job should be elected or appointed. Campaign Spotlight (Statewide GOP): Rapper Nicki Minaj endorsed Byron Donalds in Florida’s Republican governor primary, urging “Barbz” to back him in the final days. Housing Policy: Sarasota County residents are urging vigilance on Live Local Act projects, warning that the state’s affordable-housing rules can create local headaches. Public Safety/Infrastructure: Escambia Sheriff’s Office is investigating a campaign sign incident tied to the embattled West Florida Library director, who recently resigned.

Amendment 3 Fallout: A new opinion piece warns Florida’s proposed Amendment 3 could have “unintended consequences,” including opening the door to a state income tax, arguing the plan lacks a clear fiscal impact. Local Ballot Fight (SWFL): Bonita Springs voters will decide Tuesday on a $35 million bond for the Bonita Estero Rail Trail, with opponents citing higher property taxes and supporters calling it a long-term safety and community investment. Politics & Israel Tensions: A Fort Lauderdale venue canceled a Rashida Tlaib rally after a Florida lawmaker branded it “anti-Jew,” citing security concerns—another sign the Palestine debate is colliding with Florida’s Democratic primary. Public Safety & Crime: A Boca Raton man was charged in a Florida Keys fishing gear theft case, accused of stealing about $8,000 in rods and reels. Statewide Policy: Gov. DeSantis highlighted nearly $188M in rural health care awards aimed at closing access gaps across dozens of rural counties. Tech & Transportation: DeSantis says Florida will test electric “flying taxi” aircraft at SunTrax by year’s end, with commercial service possible soon. Environment: 55 newborn loggerhead turtles died on Anna Maria Island after nearby lights lured them away from the ocean.

Florida Politics: Florida’s GOP governor primary is heating up as President Trump’s endorsement keeps Byron Donalds out front, even as rivals trade attacks over money, data centers, and whether he’ll be a liability in November. Democratic Rift: A Fort Lauderdale venue canceled a Rashida Tlaib rally after a Florida Jewish caucus chair branded it “anti-Jew,” citing security concerns—another sign of deep splits inside Democrats. Property Tax Fight: Florida AG James Uthmeier rewrote the ballot title and summary for Amendment 3 after a judge said the original wording was misleading, with the measure set to raise homestead exemptions and lower the non-homestead cap. Public Safety & Weather: A severe thunderstorm warning hit the Big Bend, with gusts up to 60 mph and hail, plus flooding risk. Health & Research: Florida lawmakers approved $2 million to expand FIU’s personalized cancer program myFORCE, aiming to match patients with FDA-approved therapies based on their tumor response. Immigration Enforcement: ICE’s latest push includes claims of arrests tied to serious crimes, while critics continue to raise concerns about tactics.

Property Taxes & Ballot Fight: Florida voters will see revised Amendment 3 ballot language after a judge said the original summary was “misleading and inaccurate,” with the AG rewriting the title and description to better reflect the homestead exemption boost and non-homestead cap changes. Local Impact: Monroe County leaders will review how the amendment could cut local property tax revenue, with estimates of millions in losses in the first years. Drag Shows Legal Update: A federal appeals court cleared the way for Florida to enforce a 2023 law restricting children from drag shows, vacating a broad injunction. Primary Politics: With Florida’s Aug. 18 primary nearing, Trump has been publicly endorsing candidates statewide, including backing Catalina Lauf in CD-19, while GOP gubernatorial front-runner Byron Donalds continues pressing for DeSantis’ endorsement. Election Deadlines: Early voting is ending soon in most counties, and voters must follow ID and ballot rules for in-person voting. Rural Health: DeSantis announced major rural health funding, with Northwest Florida Community Hospital leading care-at-home and preventive-care efforts. Public Safety & Crime: A Cuban national pleaded guilty in an alien smuggling and money laundering case tied to fraudulent ESTA/visa waivers, and a Boca Raton man was arrested in a stolen fishing rod case.

HOA & Condo Costs: A new report says HOA and condo lien filings are surging, with Florida responsible for more than 1 in 6 U.S. filings in 2025—driven by insurance hikes, deferred maintenance, and rising common-area costs that push boards toward special assessments and liens. Democratic Primary Fallout: Debbie Wasserman Schultz’s Florida comeback bid is roiling Democrats as she faces a crowded field in a redrawn district, with party leaders warning the Supreme Court’s map rulings could cost more long-timers their seats. Judicial Race Guidance: Lawyers say judicial candidates should be judged first on trial experience, not campaign style, given strict limits on political activity. Public Safety & Tech: Flock Safety is rolling out tighter privacy rules for license plate cameras, including shorter data retention and more required auditing—after Florida reports of alleged misuse. Immigration Enforcement Debate: DHS plans to buy electric-shock “distraction and de-escalation” gloves for ICE, drawing sharp criticism from Florida Rep. Maxwell Frost and others. Health Funding: Florida HIV clinics face loss of federal direct funding next month, threatening testing and PrEP access in high-diagnosis areas like Orange County. Space Weather: A study warns extreme solar storms could raise radiation exposure for airline passengers and disrupt aircraft systems.

Florida Primary Countdown: With Tuesday’s Aug. 18 primary looming, Florida election officials are warning voters not to “over vote” for governor—ballot wording says “Governor and Lieutenant Governor (Vote for one),” and some people are mistakenly picking two candidates. Election Logistics: In the Florida Keys, the lack of landlines/fax lines at some precincts means results could come later, with sealed results transported by courier. Gun Rights: A Texas federal injunction took effect, loosening rules on silencers and signaling a possible broader shift in how suppressors are regulated. Vaccines & Kids: President Trump signed an executive order aimed at changing the childhood vaccine schedule, but Florida pediatric groups say they don’t expect immediate changes. Public Health & Politics: A fake text smear falsely claimed State Sen. Shevrin Jones is HIV-positive; Equality Florida is investigating. HIV Funding: Florida HIV clinics face loss of federal direct funding next month after a Trump decision. Campaign Trail: Lt. Gov. Jay Collins says the GOP governor race is effectively down to two candidates—Byron Donalds and Collins—while Donalds leans on Trump’s endorsement and affordability messaging. Local Governance: New College of Florida named Ronald A. Christaldi chair of its board of trustees.

Florida Politics & Elections: David Jolly, the Republican-turned-Democrat running for Florida governor, is trying to reframe the state as a true battleground as he courts skeptical voters in Leesburg. Democratic Primary Watch: In Florida’s District 25, Democratic socialist Oliver Larkin is challenging Rep. Jared Moskowitz, pitching Medicare for all and universal child care while Moskowitz refuses to debate over Larkin’s anti-Zionist stance. Property Taxes & Housing: Clearwater is warning that a Florida property tax amendment could force cuts of nearly 140 jobs, while a new study links lower property taxes for older homeowners to reduced selling and fewer options for younger buyers. Aviation & Transportation: Israeli startup AIR plans to use Florida’s SunTrax site near Orlando for U.S. manufacturing of electric vertical aircraft. Energy & Utilities: A report says utility and tech firms are using private, industry-funded retreats to influence regulators, raising fresh concerns about conflicts of interest. Voting Access: Early voting and mail returns are surging ahead of Florida’s Aug. 18 primary, with more than 1 million already voting statewide. Local Governance: Englewood’s chamber executive director Doug Izzo has resigned after five years.

Florida Primary Pulse: With less than a week to go, Florida’s early voting totals show Republicans expanding a raw-vote lead while Democrats say turnout and vote-by-mail advantages could still flip the script. Property Tax Fight: Gov. DeSantis says Florida won’t appeal a judge’s order to rewrite the ballot language for Amendment 3 after the court found the title and summary “clearly and conclusively defective.” Local Politics: A judge cleared Edgewater Mayor Diezel DePew of a misdemeanor battery complaint tied to an alleged campaign-sign altercation. Public Safety & Courts: A federal lawsuit challenges Florida’s sex offender registry as unconstitutional “perpetual punishment,” targeting FDLE and dozens of local governments. Immigration Enforcement: ICE plans to buy millions in electric shock gloves for agents, raising fresh questions about use-of-force tools. Health Care & Jobs: DeSantis awarded Pensacola $9 million to expand shipbuilding infrastructure, aiming to boost submarine and warship module production and create about 2,000 jobs. Campus Life: FGCU move-in is underway for thousands of students as classes start next week.

Higher Ed Funding Pressure: Florida’s higher-ed debate is getting louder as lawmakers’ unfunded mandates and endowment taxes squeeze budgets, while deferred maintenance is framed as a “ticking time bomb” that could force costly repairs later. School Safety & Mobility: Orange County schools are banning most e-bikes and e-scooters for students, limiting access to slower devices and restricting charging on campus after safety concerns and injuries. Vaccines Clash: Florida pediatricians are pushing back on Trump’s childhood vaccination executive order, arguing they won’t change schedules based on politics and will stick to evidence-based guidance. Election Access: New state data shows vote-by-mail requests have dropped sharply in Florida, with tighter rules and political skepticism cited as key drivers. AG on the Front Lines: Florida’s Attorney General James Uthmeier is portrayed as a high-profile “culture warrior,” escalating investigations and legal fights that keep landing in court. Local Governance: Byron Donalds says Florida will remove local officials who refuse to fully back federal immigration enforcement. Health Care Innovation: A DeLand woman’s atrial fibrillation treatment highlights new outpatient ablation options in Central Florida. Tech & Community Tension: Data centers and AI expansion continue to spark local backlash, with residents and officials questioning impacts on neighborhoods.

Florida Politics & Elections: With Florida’s Aug. 18 primary looming, Seminole County judge candidate Erik Swenk pushed back on a Florida Office of Inspector General report, saying FDLE found no criminal predicate and that cited emails were just lunch invites. Local Governance: Martin County is reviewing its first agricultural enclave proposal under Senate Bill 686, with a 396-acre “Waterside” plan facing scrutiny over whether the land truly qualifies as continuous bona fide agriculture. Transportation & Tech: Gov. Ron DeSantis says SunTrax in Polk County will begin testing electric air taxis/ eVTOLs by year’s end, building on the state’s autonomous vehicle work. Public Health: Florida pediatricians and the state’s AAP chapter are rejecting Trump’s executive order reshaping childhood vaccine recommendations, calling it politics over evidence. Energy & Utilities: Clearwater approved a new 30-year Duke Energy contract after weighing a potential shift to a city-run utility amid concerns tied to a property tax referendum. Money in Politics: A review of campaign finance data shows major donor and industry backing for governor contenders Byron Donalds and David Jolly, including energy and gaming interests. National Watch: Trump allies are again raising ballot-seizure concerns, while a federal Census rule draft would reshape how noncitizens are counted and how race/ethnicity data is collected.

Election Fix in Orange County: The canvassing board acknowledged a printing error on about 1% of Aug. 18 mail ballots, swapping candidate order in the mayor and clerk of courts races, and says it will correct the tabulation process. Back-to-School Rules: Lee County’s “bell-to-bell” cell phone ban is back in focus for the 2026-2027 year, with parents urged to call schools for urgent contact and note app limits. Local Ballot Decisions: Bonita Springs voters are weighing a referendum that could fund the Bonita Estero Rail Trail with a $35 million bond, while Brevard voters prep for the Aug. 18 primary under Florida’s closed primary rules. Policy & Privacy: A Florida-related license plate surveillance thread is emerging as Flock Safety loses municipal contracts elsewhere over data ownership and privacy safeguards. Energy & Politics: Congressman Eugene Vindman says he’ll oppose the Dominion-NextEra merger, arguing it would raise rates, as Florida’s lieutenant governor presses for more regulator questions. Sports & Culture Clash: Florida AG James Uthmeier weighed in on the WNBA’s Sophie Cunningham-Dijonai Carrington incident, and Hamburger Mary’s Orlando is preparing an appeal over Florida’s drag performance limits.

Advanced Transportation: Gov. Ron DeSantis says Florida will start testing electric vertical takeoff and landing “flying cars” at SunTrax in Auburndale by the end of the year, with the FAA selecting Florida for an advanced air mobility pilot and SunTrax adding vertiports for eVTOL and autonomous vehicle work. Elections Watch: Early voting is underway for Florida’s Aug. 18 primary, with Southwest Florida reporting smooth equipment performance and no major issues, while statewide turnout data shows more Democrats than Republicans so far. Property Tax Fight: Attorney General James Uthmeier says law enforcement should have been more involved in the rollout of a proposed homestead property tax amendment after a judge ordered the ballot title and summary rewritten. Legal & Courts: A Florida attorney using a pseudonym sued the Florida Bar in federal court, alleging retaliatory and discriminatory conduct tied to attorney discipline and disability rights. Public Safety: CFO Blaise Ingoglia announced $1 million in grants for firefighter cancer decontamination and assistance, pairing cancer prevention with mental health support for first responders. Community & Disaster Relief: South Florida leaders and a Doral humanitarian group mobilized aid for Colombia after a 7.4 earthquake. Congressional Primary: A prominent Hispanic faith leader endorsed Michael Carbonara in Florida’s 22nd District GOP primary.