With only 12 days left until the primary, the five candidates vying to be the Democratic nominee for governor are squeezing hard.
Former Rep. Gwen Graham picked up a huge endorsement Thursday from Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn, a mayor who according to one poll, has a 75 percent approval rating.
The fact he appeals to both sides of the aisle is one reason why Buckhorn’s endorsement is so crucial.
“She’s the candidate that most appeals to my values,” Buckhorn said in an interview with News Channel 8’s ‘Politics On Your Side’ host Evan Donovan.
“And also, I really think she can win.”
Graham echoed that sentiment about Buckhorn, and said the last few weeks of this race will be the time to take her message to the voters.
“We must have a governor again in Tallahassee that’s focused on the people of Florida,” Graham said. “The legislature is way too partisan, too ideological. It’s been the special interests and the lobbyists in charge. We need to put people of Florida back in charge.”
Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum said he watched Graham’s policy positions closely over the years, having presided over the city she represented in her district. He believes he is the more progressive candidate and is better suited to upend the system in Tallahassee and get things done.
“We have a sufficient ground game and an amazing volunteer apparatus,” said Gillum. “We’ve won every straw poll in red, blue, and purple parts of this state. We’ve got the people power.”
Gillum said he doesn’t give much weight to polls. With less than two weeks left, he still thinks it’s anybody’s game.
“No runoff,” Gillum said. “In a 5-way race, you could theoretically have a candidate who wins with 20 percent of the vote plus one. We believe we’re positioned to do that.”
