Dark Money and Dirty Politics: The Scandal Rocking FPL

The allegations against FPL are pretty serious. They’re accused of funding so-called “ghost candidates” in key elections to siphon votes away from their opponents. These ghost candidates didn’t run real campaigns; they were just names on the ballot meant to confuse voters and protect FPL’s preferred candidates. One of the most high-profile cases involved clean energy advocate José Javier Rodríguez, who narrowly lost his state Senate seat in 2020 after a third-party candidate mysteriously appeared on the ballot. Many believe FPL was behind it, and now the company’s shady tactics are coming to light.

But here’s the thing: none of this would be possible if FPL didn’t have such a tight grip on the state’s energy market. That’s why State Representative Anthony Sabatini has been one of the loudest voices calling for real change. Sabatini isn’t just outraged by FPL’s dirty tricks—he’s pushing for a complete restructuring of Florida’s energy market. “We need competition,” Sabatini says. “Let the free market decide who provides the best service, and prices will come down. People will have real options.” And he’s right.

FPL has used its monopoly status to manipulate politics, block competition, and keep prices high for consumers. When you don’t have to worry about anyone else entering the market, there’s no incentive to innovate or lower prices. That’s why Florida’s energy rates are higher than they should be, and why renewable energy options like solar power are so limited. If Floridians had the ability to choose their energy provider, companies would be forced to compete for their business, leading to lower costs and better services.

One of the most shocking parts of this scandal is the revelation that FPL may have been using ratepayer money to fund its political operations. That means every time you pay your electric bill, a portion of that money might be going toward backroom deals and campaign contributions instead of improving the grid or investing in clean energy. It’s a slap in the face to consumers, and it’s a perfect example of why monopolies are so dangerous. When there’s no competition, companies can do whatever they want with little accountability.

Take “The Vault,” the secret bar in Tallahassee where FPL reportedly wined and dined lawmakers. According to reports, this exclusive spot was where deals were made, legislation was influenced, and FPL’s grip on Florida politics was strengthened. It’s a reminder that, without competition, companies like FPL can get away with bending the rules and keeping the status quo intact. If other energy providers were allowed into the market, FPL wouldn’t have this kind of unchecked influence. They’d have to spend their time improving service and competing for customers, not schmoozing politicians.

Free-market advocates like Sabatini believe the answer isn’t campaign finance reform—it’s creating a competitive energy market where companies have to earn your business. Sabatini has been pushing for legislation that would break up FPL’s monopoly and open the market to other energy providers. Under this system, Floridians would have the power to choose their energy company, much like they choose their cable provider or cellphone carrier. And just like in those industries, competition would lead to better options and lower prices.

It’s not just about lowering costs, though. A competitive energy market could also drive innovation, particularly when it comes to renewable energy. Florida is known as the Sunshine State, yet we lag behind in solar energy because FPL has blocked efforts to expand it. If there were more energy companies in the market, they’d have an incentive to offer cleaner, greener energy options. Solar companies would be able to compete directly with traditional energy providers, giving consumers more choices when it comes to where their energy comes from and how much they pay for it.

Right now, FPL has little reason to invest in solar or other renewable energy sources because they don’t have to worry about losing customers. But if they were facing competition from companies that offer cleaner energy at competitive rates, they’d be forced to adapt or risk losing market share. That’s how the free market works—it rewards innovation and punishes complacency. And it’s exactly what Florida’s energy market needs.

Imagine a future where you can shop around for your energy provider the same way you shop for car insurance or internet service. One company might offer the lowest rates, while another offers the cleanest energy. You get to choose what’s best for you and your family, and companies have to compete for your business. That’s the power of the free market, and it’s something Floridians deserve.

Sabatini’s free-market solution would also help solve some of the political problems that FPL’s monopoly has created. Right now, FPL is so powerful because they’re the only game in town. They can throw their weight around in the political arena because they know lawmakers depend on them. But if there were multiple energy companies competing for customers, that influence would be diluted. No single company would have the kind of outsized power that FPL currently enjoys.

For years, FPL has used its monopoly to block renewable energy initiatives and keep prices high. They’ve fought against legislation that would allow more solar power in the state, and they’ve lobbied for laws that protect their monopoly from competition. But the tide is turning. More and more Floridians are realizing that a free-market energy system would benefit everyone—consumers, the environment, and even the economy.

It’s not just politicians like Sabatini who are pushing for change. Environmental groups and consumer advocates have also been calling for a more open energy market. Groups like the Sierra Club have long argued that Florida’s reliance on fossil fuels is unsustainable and that the state should be investing in renewable energy like solar. With FPL blocking those efforts, progress has been slow. But in a free-market system, solar companies would be able to compete directly with FPL, offering consumers cleaner, cheaper alternatives.

Breaking up FPL’s monopoly isn’t just about holding one company accountable—it’s about creating a system that works better for everyone. Competition drives innovation, lowers prices, and improves service. It’s time to stop letting FPL call the shots and give Floridians the power to choose their energy provider.

The FPL scandal should serve as a wake-up call. The allegations of ghost candidates, dark money, and secret bars are bad enough on their own, but they’re symptoms of a larger problem: a lack of competition in the energy market. If we want to fix that, we need to embrace free-market solutions that bring in more players and let consumers decide which company they want to do business with.

FPL has been able to manipulate the system for far too long because they’ve had no real competition. But if we open up the market, they’ll have to compete like everyone else. And that’s exactly what Florida needs. It’s time for a free-market energy revolution, and Sabatini’s push for reform could be the spark that makes it happen.

Written By: Stephen Despin Jr. | Founder/Contributor