By Kimberly Leonard

Then-Florida Sen. Don Gaetz debates on the floor in Tallahassee, Fla., in 2015. | Steve Cannon/AP Photo

Good morning and thanks for reading. 

The Gaetz family is dominating the start of this week’s news cycle, both in Florida and nationally. Last night, Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) moved to oust House Speaker Kevin McCarthy while his father, Don Gaetz, announced he was running for a Florida senate seat.

Like father, like son. As president of the state Senate from 2012 to 2014, Don Gaetz became a formidable force in Florida politics. He, too, had a reputation for what he described as “smashmouth” fights and often clashed with then-Gov. Rick Scott, now a U.S. senator.

He was known to have a way with words. Even after he left office, the multimillionaire businessman continued to hold a powerful place in Florida.

The Gaetz duo have formed a notable Florida dynasty. Matt Gaetz got the nickname “Baby Gaetz” when he worked in the state House from 2010 to 2016, under “Papa Gaetz’s” outsized legacy. The men overlapped in the Legislature, and when Matt Gaetz ran they door knocked together and later roomed together.

A similar double act could arise again in just a few years. Matt Gaetz’s name often gets floated among Republicans widely expected to run for governor in 2026. If he mounts a bid, his father will likely be seated in the Florida Senate during the campaign.

The father-and-son dynamic has changed since they served together, given that Matt Gaetz has developed a national reputation as an outspoken defender of former President Donald Trump — and congressional provocateur. The MAGA firebrand also helped Gov. Ron DeSantis secure his coveted Trump endorsement during the 2018 election cycle and played a big role in the governor’s first campaign and early on in his administration.

Don Gaetz told POLITICO’s Gary Fineout that he decided to run for the Legislature because of economic issues facing the state, not because his son is seen as widely expected to run for governor. He added that Matt Gaetz has “no plans to run for governor” — a sentence his son echoed when POLITICO’s Mia McCarthy asked about it Monday night in the halls of Congress.

— WHERE'S RON? Nothing scheduled yet for Gov. DeSantis.

On Wednesday he’ll be campaigning in South Carolina with Never Back Down in Greenville and Spartanburg, and on Thursday he’s holding a campaign event in Tampa, Fla.

Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for Playbook? Get in touch at: [email protected]

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TONIGHT — Convicted murderer Michael Duane Zack scheduled to be executed by lethal injection at Florida State Prison.

NEW ANTI-ABORTION BILL FILED — “Fabián Basabe proposes 12-week abortion ban ‘compromise,’” by Florida Politics’ Jesse Scheckner: The bill is a mix of Florida’s six-week and 15-week bans — the latter of which is currently being litigated. Unlike the 15-week ban, Basabe’s bill has exceptions for victims of rape, incest and human trafficking. It would also ban abortions via telehealth, which is when a medical provider counsels patients over video and sends abortion medications through the mail.

Basabe, in an interview, said that the introduction of the bill was a “strategic decision aimed at preserving and advocating for the right to choose” and to position the state for various court outcomes — knowing a ruling may not come for a long time.

“In my view, returning the matter to the legislature is a responsible step to take,” the Miami Beach Republican said. “I would certainly hope that if the governor sees strong support from both sides he would at least consider it,” he added.

His bill allows for abortions when a pregnancy is life-threatening or would impair physical health, or if a fetus isn’t going to survive.

Suspended Florida State Attorney Andrew Warren holds a press conference discussing his recent lawsuit against Florida Governor Ron DeSantis on August 17, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. | Getty Images

ANDREW WARREN CASE — The top judge in Hillsborough County has politely rebuffed a request by four prominent Florida legal figures that he step into the ongoing controversy surrounding the suspension of State Attorney Andrew Warren.

This group — which includes former Florida Attorney General Bob Butterworth and former Supreme Court Justice Peggy Quince — last week asserted that Susan Lopez, a former judge that DeSantis appointed to serve in Warren’s place, was not in her position lawfully. The group wrote a letter to Chief Judge Christopher Sabella of the 13th Judicial Circuit that said he could appoint someone to take Warren’s place because technically the post was vacant.

Sabella responded in a Sept. 29 letter where he disputed their assertions. He also pointed out that Warren had ongoing litigation that challenged the suspension, but that no court had formally ordered that he be reinstated.

“Given that many of the above issues may end up in further litigation, I am constrained from commenting on much of the information contained in your letter,” Sabella wrote. “But unless and until the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals orders the reinstatement of Mr. Warren as the state attorney and ends Susan Lopez’s appointment or unless and until the Florida Senate reinstates Mr. Warren to his former office, we will continue to operate on the presumption that Ms. Lopez’s appointment as the state attorney for the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit is valid.”

DeSantis suspended Warren from his post in August 2022 for several reasons, including a pledge the elected prosecutor made to not enforce certain laws such as the state’s ban on abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy without exceptions for rape or incest.

Warren challenged the suspension in federal court, and while a judge ruled that the suspension violated Florida law, U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle also concluded he had no power to reinstate Warren. Warren has appealed that decision and is awaiting a ruling from the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals

— Gary Fineout

AHEAD OF NEW COLLEGE PRESIDENT SELECTION TODAY — College’s business plan faces questions, News Service of Florida reports: “A business plan outlining sweeping changes at New College of Florida is ‘not financially viable’ in its current state, a University of Florida business-school faculty member said in an analysis that critiqued New College’s ‘strategic vision.’”

SPEAKING OUT — “Fired New College VP blasts hostile atmosphere, attack on higher ed under Richard Corcoran,” by Florida Politics’ Jacob Ogles: “When I was talking about unity on campus and saying we need to repair relationships in the organization with positive stories shared from campus, I was told, ‘I don’t care about unity on campus,’” said Ryan Terry, the university’s vice president of communications and marketing.

TOP SPOT — The Southern Group was the top-earning lobbyist during the second quarter, reports Florida Politics’ Peter Schorsch. The firm earned $7.8 million in the period that stretched from April to June. Second was Ballard Partners, at $7.6 million.

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ANOTHER UTILITY LAWSUIT — “Gainesville residents file lawsuit against DeSantis for GRU Authority appointments,” by Gainesville Sun’s Andrew Caplan: The suit was filed “in Leon County challenging DeSantis' appointment of three non-Gainesville residents to a newly established board that will oversee all aspects of the city's municipal utility. The 65-page lawsuit calls on the governor to rescind the appointments and questions whether the state legally noticed openings prior to sifting through applications.”

— “South Florida leaders want state dollars for apartments to ease affordable housing crisis,” by WLRN’s Gerard Albert 

NEW SENATE CHALLENGER? — “Black golf course owner and brother of 2 Live Crew rapper plots run for Florida Senate,” by The Messenger’s Marc Caputo: “The Florida businessman is in talks with top Democrats to challenge former U.S. Rep. Debbie Mucarsel Powell for the party’s nomination in the race to unseat Republican Sen. Rick Scott, a former Florida governor, The Messenger has learned. Last week, he and his allies formed a Senate committee and a Friends of Stanley Campbell political committee with the Federal Elections Commission.”

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EXPLAINER — A viewer's guide to the McCarthy-Gaetz showdown, by POLITICO’s Katherine Tully-McManus: “McCarthy doesn’t need 218 votes to survive. He only needs to get a simple majority of the members voting. That’s where Democrats get their major leverage here, with his fate essentially in their hands.”

IRA WORKAROUND — Members of Florida’s Democratic congressional delegation are trying to convince the Department of Energy to find another way for Floridians to get energy rebates, reports Axios’ Jael Hozman and Nick Sobczyk: The $350 million in rebates for energy efficient appliances and home modifications aren’t available to Floridians because DeSantis in August vetoed the program, which was created as part of the Inflation Reduction Act. Democrats want the federal government to manage a program to give out the rebates, or for cities and counties to dole out the funds.

ON TAP TODAY — 9:30 a.m. Florida’s Public Service Commission is meeting at 9:30 a.m. Watch live.

— At 2 p.m., New College of Florida’s Board of Trustees is meeting. Watch live.

BIRTHDAYS: State Sen. Travis Hutson … Donna Blanton with the Radey law firm … Kimberly Leonard with POLITICO

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