Page 4 - Florida Sentinel 10-19-18

Race For Governor
New York City Mayor Campaigns For Mayor Gillum
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio walked into the Miami Gardens campaign of- fice of Democratic gubernato- rial nominee Andrew Gillum on Saturday, pump- ing his fist into the air and hailing Gillum’s rallying cry — “bring it home.” De Blasio was accompanied by his wife, Chirlane McCray.
Gillum couldn’t visit South Florida this weekend.
The candidate, who’s also the mayor of Tallahassee, was dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Michael in North Florida. So a prominent De- mocrat whose name con- stantly pops up in discussions about 2020 presidential con- tenders would have to do in- stead.
“It’s nothing like having Andrew here, obviously, but if other people can step in, it
ANDREW GILLUM
helps,” De Blasio said. “I think anytime a candidate has other responsibilities, it’s im- portant for surrogates to step up.”
With Tallahassee govern- ment still working to clear fallen trees and restore power to homes on the municipal utility grid, Gillum has had to cancel campaign appearances. In a Facebook Live stream Sat- urday, Gillum said he’s sorry to disappoint people who’d ex-
pected him recently around the state, adding that the city hopes to have power restored to 90 percent of its customers by the end of the weekend.
“Right now I’ve gotta win the restoration game and get our community recovered,” said Gillum, who expects to remain in Tallahassee through Wednesday, when there will be a meeting of the city com- mission.
So, in Gillum’s stead, De Blasio appeared in West Palm Beach, Delray Beach and Pompano Beach Saturday. In Miami Gardens, De Blasio spoke to more than 50 Demo- cratic supporters, most dressed in blue and carrying Gillum for Governor signs. Rallying volunteers preparing to launch their full-on can- vassing efforts, De Blasio told them if people argue that elections don’t matter, ask them if they’ve been alive for
the past two years.
The mayor argued that
ever since President Don- ald Trump took over the White House, there’s more di- vision, racism and hatred in the U. S. He told volunteers to contrast Gillum and DeSan- tis, saying the Republican nominee is “epoxy glued” to Trump and wants to repeal the Affordable Care Act. He also said DeSantis is a cli- mate change denier, which is inaccurate.
De Blasio said he told his team to get in touch with Gillum’s campaign when he won the Aug. 28 primary, so his visit was planned before Hurricane Michael altered the campaign trail. De Blasio said he anticipates more sur- rogates will visit Florida soon before the Nov. 6 election be- cause they want to support Gillum’s grassroots cam- paigning.
FYI
Stand Your Ground Forum
The Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., is hosting a “Stand Your Ground Forum” on Friday, Oc- tober 19, 2018, 7-8 p. m.
The Forum will be held at the DoubleTree Hotel, 4500 W. Cypress St., in the Cypress Cove/Overbrook Room.
Panelists include: State Attorney Andrew Warren, Attorney Michele Rayner and At- torney Daryl Parks.
PAGE 4-A FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2018