Welcome back to RBG’s Weekly Scoop, giving you the inside scoop on everything pertaining to the 2022 Gubernatorial Race and, most importantly, our efforts to oust Ron DeSantis from the Florida Governor’s mansion.
The Democrats vs. Ron
In November the DeSantis campaign pulled in over $6 MILLION in donations, nearly $1.5 million of which came through his official re-election campaign account. Meanwhile, the three Democratic candidates raised less than $1 million combined in November – the majority of which was raised by Charlie Crist who brought in over $607,000 in support through his official account and political committee.
Meanwhile, both Ron DeSantis and Charlie Crist’s online investments have dipped since last week, DeSantis’ spending is down to $78K from $80K over the past 90 days and Democratic candidate Charlie Crist’s spending is down to $62K from $67K. Annette Taddeo’s spending remains unchanged since last week and Nikki Fried has spent nothing on digital ads over the past 90 days.
Ron DeSantis’ latest Facebook ads targeted the Biden administration’s removal of FARC’s designation as a foreign terrorist organization, which we covered two weeks ago in our Weekly Scoop. TLDR; Republicans have been willfully misinterpreting this decision which was made because the group no longer exists as a unified organization that engages in terrorism, not because they support them or their actions. These ads are just the latest example of how DeSantis is utilizing misinformation and lies in an attempt to further his influence and campaign.
Charlie Crist’s latest Facebook ads focus on the candidate’s support for investment in infrastructure and his support of Roe v. Wade. This ad is particularly timely since on Friday the Supreme Court decided to leave in place Texas’ ban on most abortions.
Crist is also running ads that go negative on DeSantis, pointing out his failures as Governor and his plan to run for President in 2024.
The Race for Governor Online
While Democratic candidate Nikki Fried hasn’t been spending money on digital ads, she remains active and influential online through organic channels including Twitter. After the Supreme Court's decision on Friday she tweeted her disapproval, “Allowing legal challenges to a law that shouldn’t exist in the first place is a small consolation to the millions of people who will lose access to reproductive care because of this law and others like it. Roe v. Wade is the law of the land and must stay.”
Charlie Crist has also been active online, weighing in on DeSantis’ recent statement that he would sign a bill legalizing the carrying of firearms without a permit. “Since 2016 Florida has had over 160 mass shootings claiming over 220 lives. We need a background check system that works and weapons of war off our streets,” tweeted Crist.
Gubernatorial candidate and Florida Senator Annette Taddeo took to Twitter to share the news that she filed a bill to increase youth voter registration in conjunction with Florida Representative Anna Eskamani. Taddeo says, “The bill would make FL the 7th state to require public high schools to host voter registration presentations, giving eligible students the option to register or pre-register to vote.”
In the Press
RON DESANTIS
New York Magazine: ‘Normal’ Republican Ron DeSantis Wants to Lock Up Anthony Fauci. December 10th, 2021. There is a large wing of the conservative elite that thinks of the Republican Party as the parents of a wayward teen might think about their child — a good kid who was doing okay until he was led astray by falling in with the wrong crowd. In this case, the wrong crowd is Donald Trump and his claque, and the Republicans are convinced that once Trump disappears, everything will return to normal.
Yahoo! News: Gov. DeSantis gins up fake fear of fraud to suppress opponents' votes. December 12th, 2021. “Florida took action this legislative session to increase transparency and strengthen the security of our elections,” Gov. DeSantis in signing Senate BIll 90 in May. “Floridians can rest assured that our state will remain a leader in ballot integrity. Elections should be free and fair, and these changes will ensure this continues to be the case in the Sunshine State.
The Washington Post: Opinion | Ron DeSantis is paving his path to the White House on the backs of vulnerable immigrant children. December 13th, 2021. In a crowded 2024 presidential field, Republican politicians are seeking any path available to the nomination. Lately, they’ve decided the most promising one is paved on the backs of vulnerable immigrant children.
Business Insider: Donald Trump hints that Florida's Gov. Ron DeSantis would be a good vice-president candidate if he ran in 2024. December 14th, 2021. Former President Donald Trump said that Florida Governor Ron DeSantis would be a "good" candidate for vice-president if he ran again in 2024.
CHARLIE CRIST
Florida Politics: Charlie Crist surpasses $5M raised for Florida Governor’s race. December 9th, 2021. U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist has surpassed $5 million raised since launching his 2022 gubernatorial campaign, a landmark crossed after raising more than $607,000 in November, his campaign announced Wednesday.
Florida Politics: Charlie Crist blames Gov. DeSantis, demands probe of ‘disturbing’ UF censorship. December 8th, 2021. U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist has called on state education officials to investigate claims made in a “disturbing” new report by University of Florida professors detailing how faculty curbed race-related references in course materials and blocked, delayed or destroyed COVID-19 data out of fear of retaliation by Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration.
NIKKI FRIED
Florida Politics: Six current and former lawmakers back Nikki Fried for Governor. December 14th, 2021. Gubernatorial candidate Nikki Fried announced a round of endorsements from current and former Democratic state House members Tuesday.
ANNETTE TADDEO
Florida Politics: Annette Taddeo adds three more endorsements in Governor’s race. December 10th, 2021. Three current and former state and local Democratic politicians endorsed Sen. Annette Taddeo for Governor, her campaign announced Thursday. The endorsements further bolster her bid to become Florida’s first Latina Governor.
That’s all for this week. To support Ron Be Gone’s work you can contribute online via ActBlue here or reach out to mikayla@ronbegone.com for more information. Thank you for your continued support.
Team RonBeGone