In this episode: Newspapers across Florida have been pulling back the curtain on schemes orchestrated by political consultants working on behalf of a small number of big corporate clients, including utility giant Florida Power & Light. Many of their plans focused on one target in particular: José Javier Rodriguez, a Cuban-American Democrat from Miami who was once seen as a future candidate for governor — but is now out of office thanks to a ghost. (This is an update of a podcast that initially aired in July 2022. The story has become newly relevant now that the guy many people know simply as “JJR” is running for attorney general — against James Uthmeier, the politician at the center of the Hope Florida scandal.)
Show notes
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For more information about the Urban Land Institute Central Florida’s Oct. 1 panel on Amendment 3, click here.
The webinar with Welcome to Florida cohost and candidate for Florida House District 15 Chadd Charland about the importance of state government will be held Wednesday evening (Sept. 9), starting at 8 pm. To join the Zoom conversation, click here.
Stories discussed in today’s show:
Operatives working with FPL plotted primary challenge for Miami senator
Powerbrokers: How FPL secretly took over a Florida news site and used it to bash critics
Firm working for FPL took control of news site, let execs influence coverage, records show
Dark power: How FPL, other utilities neutralize opponents, grow profits
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