New College is having Scott Atlas, who advised Trump and DeSantis on COVID-19 and is known for contrarian COVID views, speak at commencement. The students have other plans. They're organizing an alternative commencement featuring a civil rights leader
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Zac Anderson
@zacjanderson
Covering Florida politics for Gannett newspapers in Sarasota, West Palm Beach, Jacksonville, Naples, Fort Myers, Pensacola, Melbourne, Tallahassee & more
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Reverend John Dorhauer leads the church that helped found New College. He just told the board that “the long arc of history will grind you into dust and they (the students) will win this battle and you will be remembered for the sycophants that you are”
A massive amount of wealth is lined up behind Gov. Ron DeSantis’ reelection bid, with at least 42 billionaires and billionaire family members worth a combined $275 billion contributing to his campaign.
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Last night I asked former Trump Chief of Staff John Kelly about the allegations in John Bolton's book that Trump told Bolton he wanted to withhold military aid to Ukraine until the country investigated the Bidens. Kelly said: 'I believe John Bolton'
heraldtribune.com/news/20200128/
Chant of “defy DeSantis, defy fascism” at student protest before New College board meeting
California Governor Gavin Newsom is in Sarasota this morning meeting with New College of Florida students and faculty. The college has become the epicenter of the culture wars after FL Gov Ron DeSantis initiated a conservative transformation.
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Trump’s attacks on mail voting may have cost the former chair of the Sarasota GOP his school board seat. Let that sink in.
.@FLGovScott exits back door after just 10 minutes in restaurant crowd booing and shouting “coward”
EXCLUSIVE: Upscale Boca Royale community in Sarasota County, where some homes valued at more than $1 million, being developed by Pat Neal got special access to vaccine. Neal donated to DeSantis's political committee and served on his transition team
Explosive moment in media conference when surgeon general says the Florida Department of Health waited 24 hours after finding out about 2 positive coronavirus cases before informing public. State found out Saturday night sent out press release Sunday night.
Florida governor’s race May fundraising totals
DeSantis - $10.2 million
Crist - $1 million
Fried - $302,528
DeSantis is now up to $124 million total raised for his reelection campaign and has $112 million cash on hand
“50 years of progress, 50 years on voting rights, on civil rights, LGBTQ rights, abortion rights, contraceptive rights, all of that at threat... led by your state & your governor with a zest for demonization and othering people."
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Every big-time political campaign now seems to have at least a few billionaire backers, but the large number of billionaires backing DeSantis is “extraordinary” said one political science expert who wrote a book about billionaire involvement in politics.
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Former Trump National Security Adviser Michael Flynn was sworn in last night as a member of the Sarasota GOP executive committee, another example of far right forces seeking more influence over the party. Flynn pushed hard to overturn 2020 election.
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Many billionaires likely are flocking to DeSantis because they view him as a future president. His support from these GOP heavyweights is further evidence of his star power. It also raises Qs about his close ties to economic elites, even as he bashes companies like Disney
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Sarasota state Sen. Joe Gruters goes nuclear on DeSantis in blistering statement that accuses the governor of vetoing Sarasota budget projects as retaliation for Gruters supporting Trump. Example of presidential politics causing rifts in Florida GOP.
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Some of DeSantis’ billionaire contributors have been accused of behaving badly. One pled guilty to a felony and was pardoned by Trump. Another is accused by the U.S. Department of Justice of being an unregistered foreign agent.
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DeSantis contributors who are billionaires and billionaire family members include some of Florida & the world’s most famous fortunes. Among them: A Publix heiress who helped finance Jan. 6 Trump rally that spilled into siege at U.S. Capitol, and the widow of a Koch brother.
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The governor's billionaire contributors come from 15 states. Most didn't donate to his first campaign.
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3 Proud Boys in the crowd at DeSantis Sarasota rally, including James Hoel, who has been involved in local school politics
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Check out this interactive map that lists all the billionaires, where they live, their net worth and how much they gave DeSantis
heraldtribune.com/story/news/pol
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While many of his billionaire supporters may be looking at DeSantis as a presidential candidate, some are interested in state policy. One pushed for a tax break on Formula One race tickets for an event at a venue he owns.
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New College of Florida students wore masks at commencement to protest speaker Scott Atlas, who advised Trump and DeSantis on COVID-19
Quite the entrance for DeSantis at Turning Point USA Student Action Summit in Tampa. He has the prime speaking spot and the most enthusiastic reception from the crowd of 5,000, although Josh Hawley and Ted Cruz also were well received
. being heckled by crowd at rally in Tampa, people screaming “CNN sucks” and “you’re a liar” and chants of “fake news” and “Trump, Trump”
Crist supporters just showed up outside debate hall in force and there are competing chants with DeSantis supporters, who have been assembled here for awhile
EXCLUSIVE: Another upscale Florida community, this one with a water slide and children's splash pad and one home currently for sale at $855,000, got special vaccine access. It's another Pat Neal development. Neal is a DeSantis donor.
Top staff in governor's office facing ethics complaints over their efforts to get donations/endorsements for DeSantis' presidential campaign. State budget wasn't finalized. Lobbyists/lawmakers may have felt pressure to back DeSantis to avoid budget vetoes
DeSantis once staged an event with medical marijuana advocate John Morgan to announce he was siding with Morgan to make the drug available in smokeable form. Now DeSantis says medical marijuana is "very controversial." It was approved by 71% of FL voters
DeSantis is being called "cruel" and "pathetic" for a new round of migrant flights, but so far isn't responding. Meanwhile, he's facing growing legal jeopardy. A Texas sheriff is recommending charges, and California authorities are threatening more
3 Democrats running for governor participating in their first pseudo debate tonight at Manatee County Democratic Party dinner In Lakewood Ranch. First time all 3 on stage together answering moderator questions.
New College students and alums protesting Gov Ron DeSantis visit to campus today
Richard Corcoran was just hired as interim president at New College. His salary is $699,000 a year. He could make more than $1 million if he stays to the end of contract. 2 trustees raised concerns about how much Corcoran is getting paid. It's much higher than previous president
Florida tied for the most arrests related to Jan. 6 storming of the Capitol & also has most arrests of individuals involved in 2 far right groups, the Proud Boys & Oath Keepers, raising concerns about the prevalence of extremist groups and views in state
Florida House votes 65 to 47 for bill allowing full-time classroom teachers to carry guns in schools. Bill already has cleared Senate. Heads to for approval.
About 40 people outside Sarasota County Legislative delegation meeting protesting DeSantis’ push for conservative transformation of New College. Chants of “Save New College”
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New College students are gathering for another protest before today’s board meeting, where interim president Richard Corcoran will make his first appearance and the board will consider abolishing the college’s diversity office
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“Racist, sexist, anti gay, Ron DeSantis go away”
New College’s previous president made $305,000 a year, received $40,000 for housing and $8,000 for a car allowance. Richard Corcoran will earn $699,000, with $84,000 for housing and $12,000 for car allowance. He also can get a salary bonus of 15%
DeSantis just started a hostile takeover of Sarasota’s New College, the state’s liberal arts honors college & a school with liberal-leaning student body/faculty that gov’s chief of staff said should be more like Hillsdale, a conservative Christian college
Big news out of Sarasota tonight for Democrats nationwide heraldtribune.com/news/20180213/
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“Professors and students unite, we are going to win this fight”
Top aides in governor’s office called FL legislators to ask them to endorse DeSantis’ presidential bid. These aides are deeply involved in legislation and budget issues, creating concerns this authority was implicitly used as leverage to get endorsements
Notable that administration banned drinking in bars today and he doesn't mention that in his press conference remarks. He's rolling back the reopening. Why not magnify that message? Reluctant to acknowledge he's had to backtrack in the face of explosion in cases?
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Newsom mocks focus on DEI bureaucracy at New College, saying it must be really big to attract so much attention. When somebody says it was 4 people before being dismantled, Newsom chuckles “I don’t mean to laugh but geez"
New College supporters chanting “protect Pat” in response to news that College President Patricia Okker could soon be replaced. Conservative outlet reporting that former Republican House Speaker and Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran will replace Okker
Florida State University, which has more than 40,000 students, hired a president in 2021 at a base salary of $700,000. New College, with 700 students, just hired DeSantis ally Richard Corcoran as interim president for $699,000 annually
Venice realtor Andrew Clark was in line at 6 pm last night for Trump rally in Sarasota, the U.K. Immigrant supports Trump's immigration plan
"What I've said is you can file suits; there's political ways to do it. In no way have I have supported any type of lawlessness or anything like that," DeSantis said Wednesday
Big crowd outside @Books1Sarasota downtown for book signing, part of Main St closed, sidewalk jammed
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President of church that helped found New College says he is morally outraged by what DeSantis is doing to the school
EXCLUSIVE: Seminole Tribe of Florida gave $2 million this yr to the Republican Governors Association, which is writing big checks to DeSantis, who gave Tribe exclusive rights to sports betting. Lots of FL special interests keen on influencing DeSantis policies are RGA donors
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Okker says she can't go along with "new mandate" at New college "this is a hostile takeover"
“I believe a president needs to stand behind her words when she asks donors to contribute... You cannot ask me to go forward and argue that we are indoctrinating students here”
Huge protest outside Rick Scott campaign event in Venice. Crowd chanting “Hey hey ho ho red tide Rick has got to go”
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“Every culture war is a class war” says at student protest before New College board meeting
Sarasota is national news. The Washington Post sent one of their best political reporters to Sarasota to write about the state House District 72 special election. These races are important battlegrounds that could say a lot about what will happen in the big war in November.
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Here’s that story on the Florida special election today, where Ds want to continue a run of upsets in red districts: washingtonpost.com/powerpost/once
Standing ovation for President Okker after she delivers what could be her last report to New College board with her job on the line. She praised what’s happening at the college
DeSantis called Mar-a-Lago search a raid. But when police searched Rebekah Jones' house he said this “It’s not a raid... these peopled did their jobs. They’ve been smeared as the Gestapo for doing their jobs… to say it’s a raid is disinformation… you guys need to look at facts"
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“I almost blew it off” Sarasota Democrat Angela Alderton said of the state House District 72 race. But persistence of Margaret Good’s campaign got her out today. Lots of flyers and door knockers at her house “It kind of stuck to me this time”
New College math professor Chris Kottke gives statement endorsed by 68 colleagues supporting college President Patricia Okker, who is poised to be replaced by former Republican House Speaker and Ed Commissioner Richard Corcoran
Fire truck spraying the crowd at Trump rally in Tampa. Did I mention it’s hot? I’m getting sprayed 100 yards away.
Florida Republican Ron Filipkowski on CNN show tonight to talk about resigning from state commission to protest raid on home of fired state data scientist Rebekah Jones.
Property insurance rates are up 116% since DeSantis took office, median home sale prices are up 65%, apartment rents up 41% & electric rates up 20% so what has governor done to ease this cost-of-living crisis? A look at his record on key pocketbook issues
Sarasota remodeling contractor Brian Barton, 53, just voted early “all blue.” He has a teenage daughter. “Abortion is a big issue… I’m not worried about the economy that fluctuates.”
Trustee Keenan said Corcoran is earning $400,000 more than previous president. The compensation package drew intense criticism from the public. One speaker called it a "boondoggle"
“What you are doing here is throwing taxpayer money to your friends”
New College's board is meeting shortly to consider finalizing a contract with former Florida Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran to be interim president. Corcoran would make $699,000 a year and hold the job until Sept. 1, 2024 or until a permanent president is chosen
New College professor & board of trustees member Matthew Lepinski publicly resigned Wednesday during brd meeting, saying he's "leaving the college" over concerns about "destabilization of the academic program" after board voted to deny 5 professors tenure
Good had the race won before Election Day. She banked 3,368 more early votes than Buchanan and then won handily won he got just 110 more votes than her on Election Day. heraldtribune.com/news/20180213/
The Florida House voted 69 to 47 to ban so-called sanctuary policies that restrict local authorities from fully cooperating with federal immigration officials. The Senate is expected to vote on the bill later this week.
heraldtribune.com/news/20190424/
Trump and his wife requested to vote by mail in Florida primary google.com/amp/s/www.palm
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President Trump coming out firmly against vote by mail. "I think a lot of people cheat with mail in voting," he said. The question was whether states should be prepared for all-mail voting in November if the pandemic is still a major problem.
Sarasota becomes first red county in FL to enact strict mask mandate. Notable, but not as surprising as some might think. School Board has a moderate/left-leaning majority. GOP has tried to win conservative majority for years to no avail. Elections matter
North Port resident Alan Rhyelle is the first convicted felon to register to vote under Amendment 4 in Sarasota County. He was waiting in the parking lot by 7:15 a.m.. Busted for growing pot to help his daughter struggling with prescription meds after car accident.
We're a half hour into the first New College board meeting since DeSantis reshaped the board, and so far it has been nothing but criticism from the audience - 13 speakers so far, all against what's happening
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About 100 people at North County Public Library in Sarasota to see
Trump's strong performance in Florida wasn't driven by the GOP-leaning Southwest portion of the state. All five coastal counties from Manatee to Collier gave Trump lower margins of victory than 2016. Could reflect his slide with seniors. Very retiree heavy region.
ICYMI: Ron DeSantis is the billionaire whisperer. At least 42 back him, an "extraordinary" number. They are worth $275 billion combined. He's forging close ties with economic elites, despite Disney spat, that could pay off if he runs for president.
DeSantis says people are "chafing under authoritarian rule all across the world" then mentions... Australia and Canada (because of their COVID restrictions) at a time when Putin is invading Ukraine
New College professors, students file lawsuit to block DeSantis' higher education law
. appointee Ron Filipkowski resigns from state commission post to protest Rebekah Jones raid. Also offers a scathing rebuke of the governor's coronavirus response. A lifelong Republican, Filipkowski was reappointed by gov to JNC last year
Sarasota resident Margaret Ann Behrends received this text message today urging her to vote in State House District 72 special election “to stop Clinton’s allies.” Behrends tried to vote for Democrat Margaret Good but found out she doesn’t live in the district.
Here we go. First New College board meeting since DeSantis reshaped board just kicked off. Starting with prayer after new board member pushed for it against opposition of general counsel. Audience member shouts “separation of church and state”
speaking to Florida Dems Hispanic Caucus notes Biden is helping Ukraine fight for Democracy, says that’s something Hispanics appreciate because of authoritarian regimes in Latin America. Says “My heart bleeds for the people” of Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua.
DeSantis comments on possible Trump indictment for the first time. Blasts the prosecutor but says “we’re not going to be involved in it in anyway.” Indicates he won't help Trump fight extradition if it comes to that.
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Here's a look at the "extraordinary" number of ultra-rich donors backing DeSantis. At least 42 billionaires worth a combined $275 billion have contributed to his campaign.
“How many kids have to die before we say this is not ok?”
Sen. Annette Taddeo kicking off Florida Democrats' press conference reacting to Texas school shooting. Taddeo notes she filed bill to ban assault weapons - "Weapons of war, they have no business being in our society."
Line out the door for early voting at downtown Sarasota location. Roughly 50 people when doors opened.
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First question is about DeSantis and how authoritarian he is on scale of 1 to 10. Crist says "whether you give him a 10, 11, 12 it's irrelevant" the important thing is to beat him. Says DeSantis trying to score political points with hard right.
Line to get into 1 pm Trump rally in Tampa. Guy shouts at media checking in: "Hey CNN try to tell the truth today"
A member of the far right Proud Boys extremist group also joined the Sarasota GOP executive committee at the same time Flynn was sworn in, as did a leader of the far right group Defend Florida.
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Former Trump National Security Adviser Michael Flynn was sworn in last night as a member of the Sarasota GOP executive committee, another example of far right forces seeking more influence over the party. Flynn pushed hard to overturn 2020 election. heraldtribune.com/story/news/pol