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Politico
4 days ago
- Politics
- Politico
New Salazar challenger talks public safety, immigration
IN MEMORIAM: State Rep. JOE CASELLO (D-Boynton Beach), an Air Force veteran, a firefighter for more than three decades and a former Boynton Beach city commissioner, died July 18. He was 73 and had planned to run for Palm Beach County Commissioner in 2026. His family is holding a private ceremony at their home in Massachusetts and a public memorial service will be announced in the coming weeks, Florida House Democrats said. Good morning and welcome to Monday. Just a few days ago, attorney ROBIN PEGUERO became the latest Democrat to line up a challenge to GOP Rep. MARÍA ELVIRA SALAZAR. Florida's diverse 27th Congressional District has become a key flashpoint in the immigration debate ahead of the 2026 midterms. Located in South Florida and a roughly 50-mile drive from 'Alligator Alcatraz,' it runs from Cutler Bay through Coral Gables and Little Havana, then up to portions of downtown Miami. The district went heavily Republican in 2024. President DONALD TRUMP won it by 15 points, while Salazar was reelected by nearly 21 points despite being a key campaign target for Democrats. Yet the seat looks attractive to Democrats anew; it's one of just three in Florida the Democratic House's campaign arm has targeted to flip in the 2026 cycle. Other Democrats running include former Key Biscayne Mayor MIKE DAVEY, accountant ALEXANDER FORNINO and entrepreneur RICHARD LAMONDIN. Peguero is a first-time candidate. His father is Dominican and his mother is Ecuadorian. He grew up in Hialeah, then went to Harvard for both undergraduate studies and law school. And like Salazar — who is of Cuban descent and was a longtime Spanish language TV journalist — Peguero, 39, is fully bilingual. He worked as a Hill staffer and as an attorney for the House committee that investigated the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol riot. He now teaches criminal law at St. Thomas University Law School in Miami Gardens. 'I've actually been a staffer longer than the congresswoman has worked in Congress,' he told Playbook in an interview, 'so I know how to get things done.' Trump's immigration crackdown is clearly an issue affecting the Hispanic-majority district Salazar represents: The congresswoman was part of the group that toured 'Alligator Alcatraz' on July 12, according to others who attended. She also introduced bipartisan legislation last week to allow immigrants who've lived in the US for at least five years to be able to apply for work authorization for seven years, but not achieve citizenship. Through a statement provided by her campaign, Salazar said 'no one pressures me' regarding her position on immigration, adding that she answered to her constituents, God and her conscience. The legislation she introduced last week, she said, would 'seal the border, protect our economy and give dignity to those who've earned it. No amnesty. No handouts.' 'Fixing immigration is a pocketbook issue,' she continued. 'Our workers, our businesses and our communities are demanding real solutions, not political games.' Peguero says Salazar should be confronting Trump over instances in which people without criminal records have been swept up in the immigration crackdown. But he also raised his 'law and order' background that includes parents who served in the Army and the years he spent in Miami working as a homicide prosecutor. He argues the US borders need to be secured and that violent criminals need to serve their sentences then be deported. Public safety, he stressed, is one of those 'back to basics' issues for voters. 'I put violent criminals behind bars,' he said. 'These are folks terrorizing our neighborhoods, and they don't deserve the privilege of being in this country.' Peguero is also emphasizing his stance as a capitalist, as Republicans have continued to cast Democrats as 'socialists' each election cycle. 'Communism has been horrific. It has led to the death and the struggles, starvation, impoverishment for so many people throughout our history, it is absolutely not the answer — neither communism nor socialism,' he said. 'And so I just got to talk about me, how I was raised, and where I come from.' Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget that Playbook should look at? Get in touch at: kleonard@ and @leonardkl. ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... WHAT TO WATCH — BLAISE INGOGLIA will be formally sworn-in as Florida's next chief financial officer at a noon ceremony being held in the Cabinet room of the Florida Capitol. Gov. RON DESANTIS announced last week that he was tapping the Republican legislator and longtime ally to take the place of JIMMY PATRONIS, who stepped down from the post to run for Congress. DeSantis and first lady CASEY DESANTIS are expected to be on hand for the swearing-in ceremony, which will be followed by a private reception at the Governor's Club. Florida has been without a full-time CFO since April. The chief financial officer is a member of the Florida Cabinet and plays a key role in regulation of Florida's banking and insurance industries. It also comes with an annual salary of nearly $140,000. — Gary Fineout ALSO TODAY — US District Judge KATHLEEN WILLIAMS has called a 1 p.m. status conference over the lawsuit involving environmental concerns at 'Alligator Alcatraz.' — 'The tab for Florida's immigrant prison in the Everglades is $250 million — and counting,' by Jason Garcia of Seeking Rents. DESANTIS ON EPSTEIN FILES — The governor told Fox News Channel's BRIAN KILMEADE on Sunday that the Trump administration should release the files in the case because he believes JEFFREY EPSTEIN and GHISLAINE MAXWELL didn't act alone, and that the public wants to see others brought to justice, reports Florida Politics A.G. Gancarksi. DESANTIS V. NEWSOM FODDER — California appears to have supplanted Florida as the state with the weakest property insurance market, with newly released data showing unprecedented numbers of Californians cannot find coverage. California's property insurance crisis has grown increasingly dire in recent months while Florida has staged a stunning turnaround. In Florida, the insurance market is starting to benefit from laws enacted in 2022 after claims from major storms put roughly a dozen local insurance companies out of business, experts said. — POLITICO's E&E News' Thomas Frank AHEAD OF THE WEEKEND — DeSantis announced Friday that federal officials are allowing the state to take over work on some components of an Everglades reservoir construction to speed up its completion by five years. DeSantis said the agreement with the Department of the Army signed Friday would accelerate Everglades restoration and move up the EAA reservoir completion date from 2034 to 2029. 'This is a really, really big deal,' DeSantis said, adding, 'We have a great partner with the Trump administration and the Department of the Army.' — Bruce Ritchie FLORIDA'S 10TH EXECUTION — DeSantis on Friday signed a death warrant for convicted murderer KAYLE BARRINGTON BATES, who's set to become the 10th person to die by capital punishment in Florida this year, reports Jim Saunders of News Service of Florida. Bates is convicted of abducting and killing JANET WHITE in 1982. VAN LENT IMPRISONED — 'A longtime Everglades scientist was handcuffed in a Miami courtroom and taken to jail [last week] to begin serving a 10-day jail sentence in a case that divided the normally tightknit Florida environmental community,' reports Jenny Staletovich of WLRN. 'The sentence caps a three-year battle between hydrologist Tom Van Lent and his former bosses at the Everglades Foundation, who accused him of stealing trade secrets when he quit in 2022.' PENINSULA AND BEYOND — ''The nightmare is over': Venezuelans celebrate release of men held in El Salvador,' by Verónica Egui Brito of the Miami Herald. — 'West Palm Beach removing LGBTQ+ rainbow crosswalk under orders from Trump, DeSantis administrations,' by Anthony Man of the South Florida Sun Sentinel. CAMPAIGN MODE ABORTION RIGHTS FLASHPOINT — Democratic women who support abortion rights launched a defense over the weekend of Democratic gubernatorial candidate DAVID JOLLY after ANNA HOCHKAMMER, the executive director of Florida Women's Freedom Coalition, questioned his commitment and record on the issue in a Miami Herald op-ed. The women — including Fair Districts Florida leader ELLEN FREIDIN, former federal prosecutor JANE MOSCOWITZ, former Rep. and HHS Secretary DONNA SHALALA and retired President and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida BARBARA ZDRAVECKY — signed onto a letter published in the Miami Herald on Sunday. They wrote: 'David Jolly told us: 'I voted for Amendment 4. As governor, I would work to enact Amendment 4 into law. I support Roe. I am pro-choice. And as your governor I would veto any legislation that would restrict reproductive healthcare in the state of Florida.'' WHAT DESANTIS IS READING — Former Gov. ANDREW CUOMO joked to business leaders at a Hamptons breakfast that he'll move to Florida if he loses the New York City mayor's race to ZOHRAN MAMDANI. The news caught the attention of DeSantis, who warned on X, 'Don't New York our Florida!' Cuomo is running in the mayoral race as an independent, after losing the Democratic nomination to Mamdani on July 1. TRUMPLANDIA AND THE SWAMP RESCHEDULED — Agriculture Secretary BROOKE ROLLINS is visiting a citrus grove in Felda and holding a press conference at 12:15 p.m. PAM-DEMONIUM — 'Trump has grown weary of defending Attorney General Pam Bondi's handling of the Justice Department's Jeffery Epstein files and wants her to take responsibility for cleaning up the mess, according to four people familiar with White House deliberations,' report Garrett Haake, Matt Dixon, Kelly O'Donnell, Peter Nicholas and Jonathan Allen of NBC News. Key quote: 'I do think that he likes and respects Pam, but she has without question caused some headaches for them,' said one unnamed source. 'At the end of the day, at this point she is almost assuredly is just doing what she is told, so I believe she is very safe, but has had missteps.' DATELINE D.C. TPS EXTENDED FOR HAITIANS — 'Tens of thousands of Haitians living and working in the United States with temporary protections from deportation will now be allowed to remain until at least February 2026 with employment authorization, according to the Department of Homeland Security website,' reports Jacqueline Charles of the Miami Herald. 'The restoration of Haiti's Temporary Protected Status, or TPS, designation comes after a New York federal judge earlier this month blocked the Trump administration's efforts to shave six months off of the protections, which are usually for 18 months.' Rep. SHEILA CHERFILUS-MCCORMICK, the first Haitian-American Democrat in Congress, weighed in: 'Let's be clear: this is the enforcement of the law. Our communities should not have to rely on court orders to be treated with dignity. A stronger path forward begins at home, with permanent protections and immigration reform that centers humanity, not politics.' MORE DETENTION CENTERS LIKE ALLIGATOR ALCATRAZ FORMING — ICE is pushing forward with creating more temporary tent detention centers across the US, per internal documents viewed by Michelle Hackman and Elizabeth Findell of The Wall Street Journal. The agency is using a new influx in cash that it got from Trump's 'Big Beautiful Bill' to reach 100,000 beds by the end of the year, an increase from the 40,000 that existed when Trump took office. — 'Clearwater man convicted of misdemeanor battery against Rep. Luna staffer,' reports Katelyn Ferral of the Tampa Bay Times. ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN — 'Developer Donald Soffer, who founded Aventura, dies at 92,' reports The Real Deal. WELCOME TO THE WORLD — Republican Party of Florida chair EVAN POWER and MELISSA POWER welcomed baby EVELYN ANN POWER over the weekend. BIRTHDAY: State Sen. Gayle Harrell.
USA Today
5 days ago
- Politics
- USA Today
Florida Rep. Joe Casello dies following heart attack
Veteran Florida state legislator Joe Casello died late Friday, July 18, after suffering a massive heart attack earlier in the month. The 73-year-old Democrat had represented Florida House District 90, an area of Palm Beach County including Boynton Beach, since 2018. "We are so sorry to say that Representative Joe Casello has passed away surrounded by his loving family and girlfriend, following a heart attack," the Florida House Democratic Caucus said in a social media post announcing his death. "The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to all who have offered their love and support during this difficult time." Nikki Fried, chairwoman of the Florida Democratic Party, said he would be "deeply missed." More politics news: Trump approval rating drops in new poll; more Americans oppose immigration policies Remembering Rep. Joe Casello A private ceremony will be held in the family's home state of Massachusetts, the caucus said, and a public memorial service will be announced in the coming weeks. Casello was a firefighter for 33 years in Worcester, Massachusetts, before moving to Palm Beach County. His first entry into politics was in 2013, when he became a city commissioner in Boynton Beach. Last November, he was reelected to a fourth term in the state House by a double-digit margin. He had filed papers to run for the Palm Beach County Commission in November 2026. Gov. Ron DeSantis will need to call a special election to fill Casello's seat, according to Florida state law. Casello was taken off life support the morning of July 18, after he was taken to regional hospital about two weeks ago after complaining of chest pains, the Palm Beach Post reported. State Rep. Mike Caruso, R-Delray Beach, was a close friend, and told the Palm Beach Post he and his wife visited Casello for about half an hour July 17. "He was very lucid," Caruso said. "I asked him if there was anything I could do for him. He said: 'See if you could get a fire truck named after me.'" "My life has always been about public service and meeting the needs of my community," Casello said in a statement released July 17, a day before his passing. "Serving as both a firefighter for 33 years and an elected official for 13 years has been the greatest honor of my life. Representing the people — through times of unity and division, triumph and challenge — has been a privilege I will always cherish." Kathryn Palmer is a national trending news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at kapalmer@ and on X @KathrynPlmr. Mike Diamond is a journalist at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach him at mdiamond@
Vancouver Sun
6 days ago
- Politics
- Vancouver Sun
Florida Rep. Joe Casello dies while in office following a heart attack
BOYNTON BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Florida Democratic lawmaker Joe Casello has died while in office following a heart attack, according to state House officials. He was 73. Casello, who was first elected to the Florida House in 2018 from a district in Boynton Beach, was surrounded by his girlfriend and family when he died Friday, the Florida House Democratic Caucus said in a social media post. 'The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to all who have offered their love and support during this difficult time,' the caucus said in a statement. We are so sorry to say that Representative Joe Casello has passed away surrounded by his loving family and girlfriend, following a heart attack. He was 73. The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to all who have offered their love and support during this difficult time. Casello was a firefighter in Worcester, Massachusetts, for three decades before entering politics in Florida. He served as a Boynton Beach city commissioner before becoming a state lawmaker. He had announced plans to run for a seat on the Palm Beach County Commission in 2026. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Under Florida law, Gov. Ron DeSantis is required to call a special election or special primary election when a vacancy occurs for a legislative seat because of a death. Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here .
Edmonton Journal
6 days ago
- Politics
- Edmonton Journal
Florida Rep. Joe Casello dies while in office following a heart attack
Article content BOYNTON BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Florida Democratic lawmaker Joe Casello has died while in office following a heart attack, according to state House officials. He was 73. Article content Casello, who was first elected to the Florida House in 2018 from a district in Boynton Beach, was surrounded by his girlfriend and family when he died Friday, the Florida House Democratic Caucus said in a social media post. Article content Article content 'The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to all who have offered their love and support during this difficult time,' the caucus said in a statement. Article content We are so sorry to say that Representative Joe Casello has passed away surrounded by his loving family and girlfriend, following a heart attack. He was 73. The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to all who have offered their love and support during this difficult time. — Florida House Democrats (@FLHouseDems) July 19, 2025 Article content Casello was a firefighter in Worcester, Massachusetts, for three decades before entering politics in Florida. He served as a Boynton Beach city commissioner before becoming a state lawmaker. He had announced plans to run for a seat on the Palm Beach County Commission in 2026. Article content Article content
6 days ago
- Politics
Florida Rep. Joe Casello dies while in office
BOYNTON BEACH, Fla. -- Florida Democratic lawmaker Joe Casello has died while in office following a heart attack, according to state House officials. He was 73. Casello, who was first elected to the Florida House in 2018 from a district in Boynton Beach, was surrounded by his girlfriend and family when he died Friday, the Florida House Democratic Caucus said in a social media post. 'The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to all who have offered their love and support during this difficult time,' the caucus said in a statement. Casello was a firefighter in Worcester, Massachusetts, for three decades before entering politics in Florida. He served as a Boynton Beach city commissioner before becoming a state lawmaker. He had announced plans to run for a seat on the Palm Beach County Commission in 2026. Under Florida law, Gov. Ron DeSantis is required to call a special election or special primary election when a vacancy occurs for a legislative seat because of a death.
