Peter Schorsch
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Philip Levine is out with a new ad highlighting a key hire made during his four-year tenure as Miami Beach mayor.
The 30-second ad, titled “What a Leader Does,” is on former Lauretta Hill, who was appointed deputy chief of police at the Miami Beach Police Department in 2014. She has since moved on to become a police commissioner in Dallas.
“Four years ago, Philip Levine led the effort to reform the Miami Beach Police Department by putting citizens first,” Hill says in the ad. “I should know, because I was there, sworn in by Mayor Levine as the highest-ranking woman and African-American in department history.
“Together we fought racism, brought the community and police closer, and saw violent crime drop. He took a lot of heat from those who fought progress. But Philip? He’s never been afraid—to do the right thing.”
Though Hill was appointed to the Miami Beach job by Police Chief Dan Oates, the Levine campaign says the ad “underscores the actions taken by Mayor Levine and city leaders to reform the police department following several high-profile incidents of excessive force.”
Levine added that “Hill embodies the best that our country has to offer and it was my absolute honor to work alongside her in Miami Beach. It wasn’t easy, but together, we reformed a police department and made Miami Beach safer by working with our community. It’s time we take the same approach statewide, partner with law enforcement and our communities to deliver real change and build a better, safer Florida.”
Levine is one of five major Democrats vying to succeed term-limited Republican Gov. Rick Scott. He faces Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum, former Congresswoman Gwen Graham, Palm Beach billionaire Jeff Greene and Orlando-area businessman Chris King in the Aug. 28 primary election.
As of June 29, he led the Democratic field in money raised, though his total includes more than $11 million of self-funding.
The ad, viewable below, will start hitting airwaves Monday.
One comment
Jodi
July 9, 2018 at 6:14 am
I would love to tell you a story of many things wrong in Florida that I have not seen or heard and of the candidates for Governor willing to talk about, or do anything about. The most corrupt police department that needs reforming is thr West Palm Beach Sheriff’sdepartment. Along side them all police departments need much more follow up and training to deal with special needs people. Eventhough they say they have had the training, they do not choose to use it. Their bosses need to enforce this issue and keep a consistent watch that is is happening. In this ad above crime by percentage may show it is down but for many wrong reasons. Too many people are behind bars and should not be. In Florida it is “Guilty until proven innocent.”
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