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ORLANDO, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35) - Florida’s Democratic candidate for governor is getting a push from some of Central Florida’s mayors.
On Thursday, Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn, St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman, and Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer rallied in front of the Amway Center to give their endorsements to Gillum and running mate Chris King.
"Mayor Gillum has a vision for this state to put the people first,” said Dyer to cheers from the local crowd.
The three mayors pointed out Gillum’s own experience as a mayor in Tallahassee, saying he’ll respect local government if elected. The speakers had to shout over a small, but very vocal group of protesters Thursday who held signs and chanted in favor of Gillum opponent Ron DeSantis.
DeSantis rallied in Tampa Thursday alongside Attorney General Pam Bondi. One Wednesday, he received his own high-profile endorsement from the Florida Police Benevolent Association; a union for Florida police officers.
"I think our opportunities here have never been better,” said DeSantis.
The two candidates remain in a tight race; some recent polls putting them in a dead heat. According to Real Clear Politics’ list of major polls, Gillum remains ahead in most of the recent majors. However, where Quinnipiac had him ahead by nine points last month, the most recent Mason-Dixon poll has him ahead by just one point.
A similar tight situation can be seen in the state’s other major race: the Senate race between current Governor Rick Scott and Senator Bill Nelson. Those two have exchanged the lead a few times throughout the polling cycle with recent major polls going in favor of the Democrat Nelson. Again though, the numbers are too close to move the race out of toss-up territory.
The Florida races, garnering attention nation-wide as both the Democrats and Republicans look to gain ground in the battle-ground state.
"We feel like we've got the energy, we've got the momentum, but we're working as if we don't,” said Gillum’s running mate Chris King.