Sen. Perry Thurston has thrown his support behind Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum in the race to replace Gov. Rick Scott.
Thurston, the chairman of the Florida Legislative Black Caucus, announced Tuesday he was endorsing Gillum in his 2018 gubernatorial bid. In a statement, Thurston said Gillum has led the way on “healthcare, education and climate change, including breaking ground on a new 120-acre solar farm last week.”
“As Governor, we can trust Mayor Gillum to be a fierce advocate for our community on so many issues – from addressing climate change, to ensuring healthcare is accessible to the most medically-needy in our state, to protecting public education from for-profit charter schools and their friends in the Legislature,” he said in a statement. “I look forward to helping him ‘Bring It Home’ for Florida!”
Gillum is one of three Democrats running for governor. Gwen Graham, a former U.S. congresswoman from Tallahassee, and Orlando businessman Chris King are also running.
“It’s an honor to have Senator Thurston’s endorsement in our campaign for Governor,” said Gillum in a statement. “He’s a true public servant who never shies away from a tough fight and who stands up for those who need a voice.