Delegation for 8.21.26: Changing guard — star power — capitalism — gators — job hunters

From Florida to Capitol Hill ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

Wave of change?   The ramifications of resignations, retirements and redistricting came into focus on Tuesday, with voters delivering considerable consequences to Florida’s Capitol contingent. Most obviously, voters rejected the ambitions of two Florida lawmakers who won in the last two election cycles. The most closely watched upset of an incumbent came in Florida’s 7th Congressional District, where Republicans chose Ryan Elijah, a former FOX 35 news anchor, over Rep. Cory Mills, a New Smyrna Beach Republican rocked by personal scandal. Ryan Elijah turned the tables on Cory Mills, ending the incumbent’s run in Florida’s 7th Congressional District. Less discussed amid broader conversations about race, former Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick also placed fourth in a five-person Democratic Primary in Florida’s 20th Congressional District, losing to delegation co-chair Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz. Both lawmakers seemed to be on solid political footing at the start of the 119th Congress. Cherfilus-McCormick had won re-election without opposition, and the most likely cause for change in CD 7 appeared to be Mills’ Senate ambitions. Now looking forward, they join five retiring delegation members who won’t be returning to the 120th Congress. The number is six if you count Marco Rubio, whose Senate seat will be on the ballot in November only because he vacated it to become Secretary of State. His appointed successor, Sen. Ashley Moody, easily won the Republican nomination on Tuesday to serve the last two years of that term. Meanwhile, she will face Democratic nominee Angie Nixon, who outhustled financial favorite Alex Vindman to secure a Primary win, raising questions about whether the statewide contest will truly be in play in the fall. A less-discussed consequence: the Primary outcome means Florida will elect a woman to the Senate in November for the first time in nearly half a century, since Republican Paula Hawkins’ historic victory in 1980. In totality, enormous change also sits on the delegation’s horizon. This was already a tumultuous Congress where three of 30 federal lawmakers in Florida resigned their seats, including Cherfilus-McCormick after a criminal indictment. There will already be three incumbents on the ballot — Moody and Reps. Randy Fine and Jimmy Patronis — who weren’t seeking Washington jobs in the 2024 election cycle. Now add Cherfilus-McCormick and Mills to five retirements (Reps. Vern Buchanan, Byron Donalds, Neal Dunn, Daniel Webster and Frederica Wilson), and the House will have at minimum seven brand-new representatives from Florida in January. And that presumes 20 House incumbents on the ballot in November all win re-election. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee lists nine Florida districts as battlegrounds, including five where they are on offense and four where the National Republican Campaign Committee hopes to flip blue seats red. The battlegrounds include two now-open seats with no incumbents on the November ballot: Mills’ seat and a newly drawn version of Florida’s 22nd Congressional District, where no sitting lawmakers chose to run. But every incumbent in Florida, sans Democratic Rep. Maxwell Frost, will face a General Election opponent, and even in districts widely deemed non-competitive, challengers argue an angry electorate could deliver surprises. Mills was the 10th congressional incumbent to lose a Primary to a non-incumbent this cycle, a higher number than seen in more than a decade, according to Ballotpedia. So there may still be more change ahead.

Star power   Days before the election, Moody helped host NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman during a trip to Kennedy Space Center. At the event, officials announced the upcoming Max Power tech expo and air show. “Florida truly is the launchpad of American space innovation — and hosting the upcoming Max Power Expo is a great opportunity to show off the hard work of our engineers and scientists who are developing systems to get American boots back on the Moon and beyond,” said Moody, a Plant City Republican. “When America shoots for the stars, it launches from Florida — I’ll continue fighting to ensure our Space Coast has the resources and infrastructure needed to keep us leading in space.” The November event, which will coincide with the opening of the historic Shuttle Landing Facility to the public, will spotlight the Space Coast and the role of the aeronautics industry in the Sunshine State. It will also feature speakers, including astronauts from as far back as the Apollo program and from the recent and upcoming Artemis missions. “For 250 years, America has advanced by building what did not exist, flying higher, moving faster, and reaching toward the near-impossible,” Isaacman said. “There is no better place to celebrate that spirit than at NASA Kennedy, America’s gateway to the stars and the place where so many of our nation’s greatest achievements began.” To watch a clip of the event, please click the image below: Ashley Moody and Jared Isaacman put Florida’s Space Coast in the spotlight ahead of the Max Power Expo.

Unbridling capitalism   As more media attention fell on democratic socialists on the American left, Sen. Rick Scott pushed legislation to promote free-market capitalism. The Naples Republican (and second-wealthiest member of the Senate) called on Republican majorities in Congress to pass a number of his bills to cut regulations. “Today’s Democrat Party is unrecognizable. My father was a teamster; Democrats used to believe in what makes America the greatest country in the world. Now, they want to open government-run grocery stores and bankroll illegal aliens,” Scott said. Rick Scott is betting deregulation can keep the American Dream in business. “The American Dream works when the government gets out of the way and lets Americans innovate and succeed. Congress should immediately pass these bills to remove bureaucratic hurdles that discourage Floridians from opening small businesses. We should be encouraging the American Dream, not sabotaging it.” He pushed seven bills, including the Regulatory Decimation Act, which requires agencies to remove 10 regulations for every new one imposed, and the Destroying Unnecessary, Misaligned, and Prohibitive (DUMP) Red Tape Act, which would codify a Small Business Administration “Red Tape Hotline” where business owners can call or complain online about regulations and policies impacting businesses.

Credit score   Not long after Mills lost the Republican Primary in Florida’s 7th Congressional District, other Florida Republicans rushed to stress their own role in housekeeping. Rep. Mike Haridopolos, a Space Coast Republican, told NOTUS that he was involved in efforts to recruit Elijah, now the GOP nominee. Notably, Elijah, as a news anchor, shadowed Haridopolos in Washington early in his first term last year. Mike Haridopolos backed Ryan Elijah early — and now gets some credit for the upset. Turning on Mills, which Haridopolos did publicly with an endorsement of Elijah weeks before the Primary, was motivated chiefly by concerns that Republicans could lose the seat over the incumbent’s personal scandals. “We did not want to give away a seat when we’re trying to pick up seats and keep the majority,” Haridopolos told NOTUS. Gov. Ron DeSantis also quickly endorsed Elijah after publicly refusing to back Mills. He said he couldn’t support the incumbent “for obvious reasons.” Even President Donald Trump, who never rescinded his endorsement of Mills, said after the Primary that he had urged the troubled incumbent not to run. “He wouldn’t listen,” Trump posted. The work isn’t done for Elijah, who remains in a targeted battleground seat where Democrats elected former NASA Chief of Staff Bale Dalton as their nominee.

Honoring a legend   On late baseball legend Roberto Clemente’s birthday, multiple members of Florida’s delegation came together to call for a statue of the Pittsburgh Pirates right fielder in the U.S. Capitol. Reps. Gus Bilirakis, a Palm Harbor Republican, and Darren Soto, a Kissimmee Democrat, filed a bill with Democratic Rep. Nydia Velázquez of New York that would authorize the creation and presentation of a statue. Roberto Clemente’s legacy could soon have a permanent place inside the U.S. Capitol. “Roberto Clemente embodied the very best of the American spirit. He was a trailblazer whose extraordinary talent changed the game of baseball, but his greatest legacy was the compassion, courage, and selflessness he demonstrated in service to others,” Bilirakis said. “As a proud Floridian who represents a vibrant Hispanic community and a lifelong Pirates fan, I know how deeply Clemente’s example continues to resonate with generations of Americans. It is fitting that we announce this bipartisan legislation on his birthday to ensure his remarkable story and enduring legacy are permanently honored at our Nation’s Capitol. I am proud to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to recognize a true American hero whose life reminds us that greatness is measured not simply by what we achieve, but by what we do for others.” Clemente died at age 38 in a 1972 plane crash delivering relief goods to survivors of an earthquake in Nicaragua. The Puerto Rican-born athlete was among the most celebrated players in the game during his career, winning the National League Most Valuable Player award in 1966 and leading the Pirates to World Series titles in 1960 and 1971. “In Central Florida, Clemente's legacy lives on in our renamed streets and schools, in Little League field murals, as well as in the morals we teach our children to follow,” Soto said. “From his efforts to reform American baseball to his humanitarian work, Clemente demonstrated that he practiced what he preached and dedicated his life to helping others overcome adversity. Though his life was tragically cut short, we will keep fighting to keep his spirit alive in this U.S. Capitol. ¡Wepa!”

Fertilizer frustration   A trade war with China appears to have created a lot of crap for U.S. farmers. Rep. Kathy Castor just led a bipartisan letter urging the U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. trade officials to tackle the problem. The Tampa Democrat led a letter with Rep. Zachary Nunn, an Iowa Republican, asking Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer to take immediate action and protect American farmers and domestic fertilizer producers from an engineered supply-chain crisis. Kathy Castor wants Washington to keep fertilizer costs from piling more pressure on American farmers. “Hard-working American farmers, workers and families are depending on the administration to ensure farmers can access the fertilizer they need, at prices they can afford,” Castor said. “The Chinese Communist Party has demonstrated a willingness to exploit global commodity disruptions to advance its strategic interests at the expense of American producers and consumers. We need to act now to protect our supply chain from bad actors who send costs skyrocketing.” The letter was co-signed by members of the House Select Committee on Strategic Competition with China. It spotlights the control of sulfur, a product in short supply, in part due to wars in Ukraine and Iran. That has made sulfur mined on the Gulf Coast a valuable international commodity, yet Chinese producers are undercutting prices even for U.S. buyers. That has hurt some major Florida employers, the letter notes. China-linked CMOC has been outbidding Mosaic in the market. “The consequences of inaction are no longer theoretical. For example, the Mosaic Company is currently in curtailment at two manufacturing facilities due to its inability to secure affordable sulfur,” the letter notes. “These disruptions are having impacts on farmers as well. The U.S. Department of Agriculture expects the average cost of production for an acre of corn to rise to $917 in 2026, up from $890. This will layer on top of the increased cost of diesel and equipment and cut into the already thin margins that American farmers operate on.”

Respect for dispatchers   Operators for 911 services across the country play a vital role in saving lives. Rep. Vern Buchanan said it’s only appropriate that they be recognized as first responders alongside the police, paramedics and firefighters they often send out. The Longboat Key Republican just co-sponsored the 9-1-1 Supporting Accurate Views of Emergency Services (SAVES) Act (HR 637), a bipartisan bill that reclassifies dispatchers, who are currently recognized in federal guidelines as clerical staff. Vern Buchanan says 911 dispatchers deserve first-responder status, not a clerical label. “Every day, 9-1-1 dispatchers are the calm, steady voice on the other end of the line when Americans are facing the worst moments of their lives,” Buchanan said. “They deserve a classification that reflects the seriousness of that responsibility. I’m proud to join Congresswoman Torres and Congressman Fitzpatrick in the effort to recognize these heroes, and I’ll keep pushing to get it across the finish line.”

Alligator boot?   After an alligator killed an Oviedo woman wading in the Econlockhatchee River, Rep. Greg Steube said it’s time to review the reptiles’ protected status. The Sarasota Republican just filed the Gathering Alligator Treatment, Oversight, and Response (GATOR) Act, which would direct the Comptroller General and Interior Department to conduct a study on whether alligators should still be classified as “threatened.” Greg Steube wants Washington to take another look at the rules protecting Florida’s alligators. “Florida families deserve to protect their children and pets in their own backyards,” Steube said. “The American alligator is an apex predator, and it’s been fully recovered since 1987. Federal look-alike rules meant to stop trafficking remain in place, but they may be discouraging Floridians from using our state’s nuisance alligator program. The GATOR Act simply studies whether these federal trade enforcements have influenced the way states manage nuisance gators or the way residents report them.” He also wants the study to evaluate whether a continued designation has actually contributed to the population of brown caimans, an invasive species, in Florida’s waterways.

Urging HIV aid   After the Trump administration directed the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to cease HIV prevention grants, members of the Florida congressional delegation from both parties urged Florida’s government to keep funding programs. Rep. Lois Frankel, a West Palm Beach Democrat, led a letter to Florida Surgeon General Joe Ladapo and the Florida Department of Health to make sure existing programs are not disrupted. Joe Ladapo is facing pressure from Lois Frankel to keep Florida’s HIV prevention programs funded. “Florida’s CBOs are trusted providers that deliver lifesaving services, including HIV testing, prevention, care coordination, and outbreak response. Any interruption in funding would jeopardize these services, increase the risk of HIV transmission, and undermine the State’s progress in ending the HIV epidemic. In addition, without either direct federal funding or state pass-through funding, affected CBOs risk losing eligibility for the 340B Drug Pricing Program. That would eliminate a critical source of support for providing free or low-cost PrEP and PEP medications and other essential services to uninsured and underinsured Floridians,” the letter reads. “We appreciate FL DOH’s commitment to protecting public health. We respectfully request that the Department act promptly to ensure uninterrupted HIV prevention services for Floridians and provide a response outlining FL DOH’s plans for establishing cooperative agreements with CBOs to pass through these funds.” The letter was co-signed by every Democrat in Florida’s House delegation, along with Rep. María Elvira Salazar, a Coral Gables Republican. Frankel also signed a letter to the Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought, demanding to know why the administration was withholding $46 million in funding.

Job hunters   A job fair hosted by Rep. Frederica Wilson last week drew more than 2,000 job seekers to the Miami Dade College campus. “Jobs! Jobs! Jobs! That has always been my mantra because a good job is about far more than a paycheck,” the Miami-Dade Democrat said. “It is about dignity, independence, stability, and the ability to provide for your family. Today, more than 2,000 people walked through these doors ready to work, grow, and build a brighter future. That incredible turnout sends a powerful message: South Florida is ready for opportunity.” Frederica Wilson’s job fair drew more than 2,000 people — and a future congressional nominee. In this case, it could also have been about promoting the retiring representative’s chosen successor. She co-hosted the event with Miami-Dade County Commissioner Oliver Gilbert, who days later won the Democratic nomination in Florida’s 24th Congressional District. But she said the greatest accomplishment was connecting constituents with employers. “I am proud that we brought 60 vendors together to meet our residents where they are and help open doors that can change lives for generations,” Wilson said. “This is what progress looks like, and we will continue working until every South Floridian has a real shot at success.”

Taking flight   Officials cut the ribbon on an expanded Airframe MRO facility at Miami International Airport. Rep. Mario Díaz-Balart, dean of the Florida delegation, was on hand to celebrate after helping acquire federal funding for the AAR Corp. facility. “Aviation is a cornerstone of our economy, and Miami International Airport is an essential gateway connecting our community to the nation and the world. Investments like this one help strengthen that gateway and position South Florida for continued success in the years ahead,” the Hialeah Republican said. Mario Díaz-Balart celebrates an aviation expansion expected to bring 200 new jobs to Miami International Airport. “I want to congratulate AAR on this important milestone and thank Miami International Airport, as well as our federal, state, and local partners, for their collaboration in making this project possible. Projects of this scale take partnership and commitment, and I am proud to see everyone come together to deliver results for our community.” Díaz-Balart serves as Vice Chair of the House Appropriations Committee. AAR said the 100,000-square-foot expansion will create 200 new full-time jobs. “We appreciate the collaboration of Miami International Airport, our project partners, and government stakeholders whose support made this expansion possible,” said John M. Holmes, president and CEO of AAR.

On this day   Aug. 21, 1858 — “The Lincoln-Douglas Debates begin” via the National Park Service — The challenger, Abraham Lincoln, and the incumbent, Stephen Douglas, were in a campaign for one of Illinois’ two U.S. Senate seats. Although Lincoln lost the election, these debates launched him into national prominence, which eventually led to his election as President. Lincoln and Douglas agreed to debate in seven of the nine Illinois congressional districts, the seven where Douglas had not already spoken. In each debate, either Douglas or Lincoln would open with an hourlong address. The other would then speak for an hour and a half. Aug. 21, 1959 — “Hawaii becomes 50th state” via History.com — The modern United States received its crowning star when President Dwight Eisenhower signed a proclamation admitting Hawaii into the Union as the 50th state. The President also issued an order for an American flag featuring 50 stars arranged in staggered rows: five six-star rows and four five-star rows. Many in Congress long opposed the formal annexation of Hawaii. It was not until 1898, following the use of the naval base during the Spanish-American War, that Hawaii’s strategic importance became evident. Two years later, Hawaii was organized into a formal U.S. territory. Hawaii became ensconced in the American national identity following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in Dec. 1941.

Happy Birthday   Best wishes to Rep. Castor, who turned 60 on Thursday. ___ Peter Schorsch publishes Delegation, compiled by Jacob Ogles, edited and assembled by Phil Ammann and Ryan Nicol.

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