Drew Wilson
Former Miami Beach mayor and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Philip Levine will be in Lakewood Ranch Friday evening for the Manatee County Democratic Club’s annual dinner gala.
The event will be held in the Fete Ballroom at the Polo Grill and Bar, 10670 Boardwalk Loop, from 6 pm to 9 pm. Levine is scheduled to speak to attendees at 7:15 pm.
A press release from the Levine campaign said his talk will focus on “sharing his bold progressive vision for Florida with area Democrats and having a conversation about their concerns and priorities.”
The annual dinner is the main fundraising event of the year for the Manatee County Democratic Party, and tickets to attend run $90 a person.
Levine is one of four Democrats running to replace Gov. Rick Scott, who is termed out and running for U.S. Senate in 2018.
Levine faces Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum, former Congresswoman Gwen Graham and Orlando-area businessman Chris King in the primary race. Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam and Northeast Florida U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis are competing for the Republican nomination.
Recent polls commissioned by a senior adviser to the Levine campaign show the South Florida Democrat in the No. 1 spot in the primary and holding his own against Putnam and DeSantis if he were to face either on the general election ballot.
