Republicans, Donald Trump included, are sweating Florida. Not because it’s a humid 86 degrees in Miami, but because they fear big election losses there. Democrat Andrew Gillum wiped the floor with Republican Ron DeSantis in the last gubernatorial debate and current Gov. Rick Scott is no sure thing to oust Democratic Sen. Ben Nelson, despite Scott’s huge campaign spending. The Trump administration is putting on a full-court press, with at least two visits from Trump himself planned in addition to Mike Pence and Kellyanne Conway and cabinet members.
“It is both my hope and my expectation that the president will be in Florida so much between now and the election that Floridians will be hearing ‘Hail to the Chief' in their dreams,” said Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz, a staunch Trump ally who’s been in touch with the president.
This isn’t just about 2018, it’s also about 2020, which means it’s extra personal for Trump:
A victory by Democrat Andrew Gillum, on the other hand, could buoy Trump’s general election opponent. Gillum, an African-American mayor of Tallahassee, has excited liberals across the state — and presumably, he would work to gin up support for the eventual Democratic nominee.
“A Gov. Gillum would be a significant obstacle for a Trump presidential campaign in Florida, and a Gov. DeSantis would be a significant asset,” said Mac Stipanovich, a longtime Republican lobbyist in the state.
A Gov. Gillum could also mean less state action to suppress the vote, which is such a crucial part of Republican campaigns these days.
GET OUT THE VOTE for Democrats. Just click here, enter your zip code, choose the event that works best for you, and RSVP to attend.
Can you chip in $3 to help elect Andrew Gillum governor of Florida?