Winner and Loser of the Week in Florida Politics — Week of 1.4.26
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
Key takeaways
- DeSantis’ influence in Tallahassee persists, but the governor’s grip appears waning as lawmakers push back and special sessions loom.
- Marco Rubio is framed as a major foreign-policy win for Florida, with a multi-phase strategy post-Maduro capture shaping the national conversation.
- Crist shows fundraising momentum that could translate into broader political viability beyond local races.
- Policy timing and special sessions are likely to dominate the calendar, compressing downtime for lawmakers and staff alike.
Florida Session Context
Florida’s 2026 Regular Session opens Tuesday under Gov. Ron DeSantis’ final full year in office before term limits require a change in Tallahassee. By history, the governor has been a powerful voice in shaping legislation, especially on education, immigration, and high-profile clashes with Disney. Yet as the year unfolds, his influence appears to be waning, with GOP lawmakers asserting more autonomy and signaling more Special Sessions on the horizon—likely focused on property taxes and redistricting.
Key timing matters: the session runs through March, but April is set for another Special Session to redraw congressional maps, with potential follow-ups on tax policy. For readers tracking how Florida memory of the DeSantis era will be written, this structure offers a window into policy battles and process-driven outcomes that may outlast a single governor’s term.
Winners
Honorable mention: Miami Hurricanes
Miami’s football program has navigated coaching changes and rebuilds to reach the top tier, potentially crowned as a national champion in a strengthened CFP era. The playoff run brought significant revenue, exposure, and a renewed blue-blood aura for a program once regarded as the state’s pinnacle of college football.
The Biggest Winner: Marco Rubio
Rubio’s fingerprints are evident in a foreign-policy victory centered on Venezuela and Maduro. As Secretary of State, he championed a three‑phase strategy—stabilization, economic recovery, and a political transition—leveraging oil revenue controls and a $50 million bounties program that boosted U.S. leverage. The era’s outcomes, including detainee releases and diplomatic shifts, reward Rubio’s long-term advocacy and shape his posture on the global stage.
Almost (but not quite) the biggest winner: Charlie Crist
A political committee tied to Crist reported raising >$725,000 in seven weeks, signaling a robust donor network beyond municipal lines. This momentum—especially from labor groups, trial lawyers, and statewide allies—points to potential viability if Crist pursues a mayoral bid or higher office in the future.
Losers
Dishonorable mention: Jay Collins
New polling shows a widening gap in the GOP primary, with Byron Donalds leading Collins by a wide margin. The data suggests Collins faces a steep climb to break into double digits in a field where Trump endorsement and fundraising power are decisive factors.
Almost (but not quite) the biggest loser: Miccosukee Tribe
Congress failed to override Trump’s veto of the Miccosukee Reserved Area amendments bill, limiting federal progress on Osceola Camp land status. The override vote fell short, highlighting the political headwinds facing tribal land‑status efforts in a divided Congress.
The Biggest Loser: Post-Session vacation plans
With the April Special Session on redistricting and potential tax debates, lawmakers’ downtime is shrinking. The calendar suggests fewer achievable March getaways and more late nights in Tallahassee, underscoring the year’s demanding schedule ahead.
Final thoughts
As the gavel falls, Florida’s political landscape is poised for a year of strategy, leverage, and maneuvering. The winners reflect both national and local ambitions, while the losers highlight the persistent friction between bold policy and political realities. Expect more Special Sessions and map redraws as the DeSantis era transitions, with outcomes likely to echo into 2026 and beyond.
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