Democrat Andrew Gillum leads GOP candidate Ron DeSantis by six points in recent polls; setting the stage for a Sunshine State showdown between the Bernie-backed progressive and Trump-endorsed conservative.
According to a recent Reuters poll, 50% of Florida voters support Gillum compared to 44% who back DeSantis.
NEW POLL: Gillum leads DeSantis by 6 points in Florida governor race https://t.co/SrXfyAHLHi pic.twitter.com/SFgP6rGVmE
— The Hill (@thehill) September 19, 2018
Both candidates are hoping to replace Republican Gov. Rick Scott, who will be leaving office due to state-wide term limit requirements. Scott is currently running for the United States Senate.
The new survey shows Gillum opening a wider lead than initially predicted, with earlier polling showing the race in a statistical dead heat.
FLORIDA FREEBIE: Dem Candidate Says BUSINESSES, Not Taxpayers Will Fund Universal Healthcare
The Bernie Sanders-backed candidate for Governor of Florida tried to ease voters’ concerns over massive tax hikes during the Labor Day holiday weekend, saying “corporations” and not individuals will pay for his ‘Medicare for All’ proposal
Andrew Gillum was speaking with CNN when he was asked to explain how Florida would finance a universal healthcare system throughout the state; claiming the measure would only raise the tax burden on local businesses, not people.
Gillum says he would raise taxes on corporations, not Floridians, to fund Medicare for all https://t.co/oQbgvbIX5H pic.twitter.com/vKyEhgcuhw
— The Hill (@thehill) September 2, 2018
“I will absolutely not raise taxes on everyday working Floridians,” said Gillum, adding he plans to raise the corporate tax rate to help fund the massive government program.
President Trump slammed Gillum on social media over the weekend, blasting the candidate as a “failed socialist mayor” who allowed “crime and many other problems to flourish in his city.”
Not only did Congressman Ron DeSantis easily win the Republican Primary, but his opponent in November is his biggest dream….a failed Socialist Mayor named Andrew Gillum who has allowed crime & many other problems to flourish in his city. This is not what Florida wants or needs!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 29, 2018
SOCIALISTS UNITE! Cortez Praises Florida Dem for ‘Legalizing Marijuana’ and ‘ABOLISHING ICE’
Self-described Democratic Socialist Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez weighed-in on the recent Florida gubernatorial primary Wednesday; praising Bernie Sanders-backed candidate Andrew Gillum for working to “legalize marijuana and abolish ice.”
Cortez posted her comments on social media just hours after Gillum declared victory at his campaign HQ in Tallahassee, saying “Congratulations, @AndrewGillum! The progressive movement is transforming the country – and he proved that again tonight. Gillum ran on Medicare for All, Legalizing Marijuana, #AbolishICE & more. Thank you, Florida voters! On to November.”
Congratulations, @AndrewGillum!
The progressive movement is transforming the country – and he proved that again tonight.
Gillum ran on Medicare for All, Legalizing Marijuana, #AbolishICE & more.
Thank you, Florida voters!
On to November 💪🏽💜 https://t.co/8keyzxVmcf
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) August 29, 2018
Gillum will face-off against Trump-backed candidate Ron DeSantis this November; setting the stage for a high-stakes showdown that could have massive implications during the 2020 presidential election.