Anne Lindberg
As the election enters the homestretch, a group of African-American mayors and former mayors from across the U.S. have jumped on the bus for Hillary Clinton — literally.
They’re taking a bus around Florida on the “Souls to Polls Train” to take a message to the African-American and Latin communities in particular — elect Hillary.
“Her message is the message of hope,” Philip Levine, mayor of Miami Beach, said Friday.
If elected, the mayors said, Clinton will help hopes come true with promises of jobs, an increased minimum wage, free college tuition for those whose parents can’t afford it, investment in neglected communities, money for infrastructure improvements, $25 billion for entrepreneurship and small business, and an emphasis on early childhood education.
“She’s laid out a clear vision” where education is concerned, former Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown said. “She’s the most qualified, but we have to get out and vote.”
The group stopped in Tampa Friday morning before coming to St. Petersburg where they toured the Dr. Carter G. Woodson African-American Museum before visiting individual areas along the historic 22nd Street South corridor. They planned to finish their St. Petersburg visit with a meal at Chief’s Creole Café.
Along the way, Mayor Michael Nutter of Philadelphia said, they’d deliver the message and urge people to get out and vote for Clinton.
“She’s ready to serve,” Nutter said. “She’s ready on Day 1. … People have to come out and vote.”
The election is Nov. 8. Early voting begins Monday.
