FLORIDA — Vice President Kamala Harris discusses election results with supporters, and the state of Florida steps in to expedite permits after Hurricane Milton.

The Political Connections team will return Monday to discuss the latest in national and Florida political news.

Let's get into it.

Trump transition team says Cabinet nominees targeted with bomb threats, swatting

The transition team for Donald Trump said Wednesday that several of the president-elect's appointees, including Cabinet nominees, were targeted with bomb threats and swatting Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. 

Calling the threats “violent” and “unAmerican,” Trump-Vance transition spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt did not say which, or how many, officials had been targeted, but said law enforcement acted quickly to ensure their safety.

A handful of Cabinet nominees said in social media posts that they were among those targeted.

The office of Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., who Trump is nominating as ambassador to the United Nations, said in a statement that her home was the target of a bomb threat Wednesday morning. She was driving home to Saratoga County, N.Y., with her husband and son for Thanksgiving when they were informed about the threat, her office said.

"New York State, County law enforcement, and U.S. Capitol Police responded immediately with the highest levels of professionalism," Stefanik's office said in a statement. "We are incredibly appreciative of the extraordinary dedication of law enforcement officers who keep our communities safe 24/7."

A New York City property owned by Commerce Secretary nominee Howard Lutnick also reportedly received a bomb threat, as did a mailbox at a home in Florida referencing Trump's initial nominee for attorney general, former Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz. Gaetz does not live at the home, but a family member does.

Agriculture secretary nominee Brooke Rollins and Environmental Protection Agency director pick Lee Zeldin confirmed they, too, received threats. And Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth and John Ratcliffe, Trump's pick for CIA director, were also targeted, Fox News reported.

The FBI said in a statement that it is “aware of numerous bomb threats and swatting incidents targeting incoming administration nominees and appointees, and we are working with our law enforcement partners. We take all potential threats seriously, and as always, encourage members of the public to immediately report anything they consider suspicious to law enforcement.”

Harris, Walz discuss election results in supporter call

For the first time since losing the presidential race, Vice President Kamala Harris spoke out to her supporters.

A 28-second clip was posted on X, and quickly went viral.

“I know this is an uncertain time. I’m clear-eyed about that. I know you’re clear-eyed about it and it feels heavy and I just have to remind you, don’t you ever let anybody take your power from you. You have the same power that you did before Nov. 5,” she said in the video.

Those comments came during a Zoom call with supporters. Harris’s running mate, Gov. Tim Walz was also on the call, saying he hopes everyone takes care of themselves as they find a way to heal.

“I know there is a bit of a feeling of loss, because we saw what a real leader looks like," he said. "We watched a speech on the Elipse the week before the election. Where Vice President Harris delivered on the best of America. She delivered the best of our better angels. She delivered a vision where all of us mattered. She did it with grace and dignity, and continued to do that every single day."

Harris’ campaign leaders are saying time is responsible for the Democrat’s defeat.

David Plouffe, a senior adviser to Harris, and three other advisers, spoke out for the first time on the liberal podcast, “Pod Save America.”

They said a 107-day campaign did not give Harris time to distinguish herself from President Joe Biden and craft a message that could warm up the cold political climate for democrats.

Plouffe also said that internal polling never had Harris ahead of trump.

The state of Florida helps beach cities struggling to meet hurricane-related permit demand

The state of Florida has been sending workers to beach communities hit hard by the back-to-back hurricanes to help city staff process the huge demand for permits, according to State Rep. Linda Chaney.

“There’s currently nearly 700 of those requests that have been turned into the state,” she said. “About 83% have been fulfilled and the rest are in process.”

Chaney said St. Pete Beach was one of the first cities to reach out for help in a big way. Earlier this month, the state agreed to send 18 workers to help the city, but so far only a dozen have been able to assist due to challenges with appropriate licensure, according to Community Development Interim Director Denise Sanderson.

“Running into a lot of challenges identifying those with appropriate licensure,” she said. “Additional staff requested and not yet filled are two code enforcement officers, one permit technician and four building inspectors.” 

Sanderson made those public comments at last week’s City Commission meeting, where she said the city was falling well below its stated daily goal for issuing permits.

“I will share with you that our goal is 75 per day,” she said. “We were able to issue 19 permits. I wish for the commission and public to know that we have every intention of meeting that goal.”

Frustrated residents blasted the City Commission for the slow-moving process and said they wanted to see more help on the way.

“I worked my entire my life for my beach home and now I can’t even fix it to go home with my dad,” said Joe Medeiros. “Just let us fix it. Just let us go home.”

“I’ll tell you what having only 11 people to do permits for a city this size, that is just unbelievable,” said Cindy Berg. “It’s unacceptable.” 

“You only have a certain amount of employees and the state should be sending more,” said Deborah Schoenecker. “I hope they do because it’s a severe situation that we have.”

Chaney said she’s drafting a bill that will address procedures, along with education of elected officials and their staff when it comes to recovery funding in the affected areas.

“So, we’re learning a lot through back-to-back hurricanes, and I’ve already filed a bill that addresses some of the issues that we’re experiencing,” she said. “That hopefully will make it a lot better if, God forbid, we ever go through this again.”

Chaney also encouraged other beach municipalities who have been struggling to meet the permit demand to reach out to the state for help.