Chink in the armor

In this episode: Data center interests have spent more than $5 million supporting Byron Donalds, the Trump-endorsed Congressman from Naples who is the heavy favorite to win the Republican nomination for Florida governor in next month’s primary election. But all that industry money is morphing from a strength to a liability amid a rising bipartisan backlash to data center development around the state. Meanwhile, James Uthmeier, Florida’s never-elected attorney general, is using his office to help Elon Musk’s Tesla try to get out of paying $243 million to victims of a fatal car crash involving Tesla’s Autopilot technology. Plus: Updates on big battles over property insurance, growth management and home rule. Show notes To make a donation in support of Seeking Rents, click here. Stories discussed in today’s show: Data center donors have spent more than $20 million in Florida ahead of the 2026 elections Meta Begins $65 Million Election Push to Advance A.I. Agenda Florida’s attorney general is trying to help Elon Musk’s Tesla get out of a $243 million verdict An insurance company led by a billionaire megadonor wrote a law pushing Florida condo owners into higher-priced property insurance Group tied to influential Ruane Cunniff sues Reinhold Corporation over Clay County land sale dispute A New York investment firm with vast land holdings across north Florida wants state lawmakers to greenlight giant developments Ron DeSantis is helping real estate developers exploit a hurricane relief law The Florida Legislature made a mess. The Florida House refused to clean it up. Bills discussed in today’s show: Senate Bill 484 — Data Centers Senate Bill 1616 — Liability of Advanced Driving System Manufacturers and Developers Senate Bill 1028 — Citizens Property Insurance Corp. House Bill 299 / Senate Bill 354 — Blue Ribbon Projects Senate Bill 840 — Land Use Regulations for Local Governments Affected by Natural Disasters Senate Bill 180 (2025) — Emergencies Questions or comments? Send ‘em to [email protected] Listen to the show: Apple | Spotify Watch the show: YouTube Get full access to Seeking Rents at jasongarcia.substack.com/subscribe