Danny McAuliffe
Consider this a highlight reel of the weekend’s #FlaPol Twitter.
Kicking off our review is former Gov. Jeb Bush‘s eulogy of his late mother, former First Lady Barbara Bush, who passed away last week. Jeb Bush’s words resonated across party lines, as shown through universal support online. If you haven’t already, check it out:
The Bush family is grateful for the thousands and thousands of expressions of condolence and love for our precious mother this week, and we thank everyone who joined us today to celebrate her remarkable life. https://t.co/HNsq4Z5QME
— Jeb Bush (@JebBush) April 21, 2018
On Friday, Gov. Rick Scott celebrated 46 years of marriage with his wife Ann Scott. His latest tweets between his campaign and official accounts have since focused on Puerto Rico. On Monday morning, the Governor met with his island counterpart, Gov. Ricardo Rossello.
This morning, I met with Gov. @ricardorossello to discuss ongoing Hurricane Maria recovery efforts in Puerto Rico. Florida stands with Puerto Rico and will continue to offer any advice and assistance they need. https://t.co/HxcfjxN0Bl pic.twitter.com/C66eYXd5i5
— Rick Scott (@SenRickScott) April 23, 2018
In the statewide race to replace Scott, candidates are keeping active in the Twittersphere seven days a week — the exception being Republican U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis, whose account remained quiet over the weekend.
DeSantis’ primary opponent, Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam, however, appeared busy. And along the campaign trail, something very Putnam-esque happened to his canvassers:
When you’re out knocking doors for @adamputnam in North Florida and you get invited to a front yard crawfish boil.. @AndrewForst FTW! #sayfie #flapol 🇺🇸🦐 pic.twitter.com/ozHIm0Q3Ad
— Jeremy Sheftel (@JeremySheftel) April 21, 2018
On the Democratic side, two big events took place over the weekend. The Democratic Black Caucus of Florida hosted candidates in Orlando, and Hillsborough County Dems held their Spring Fling event.
Former Congresswoman and Democratic candidate Gwen Graham made a point of celebrating Earth Day. Most politicians, Republicans and Democrats alike, did as well — but it looks like Graham campaigned on the subject, promising to “FIGHT … BAN … and RESTORE.”:
#TeamGraham is out in force sharing our plans to protect Florida's environment. As governor, I will continue to FIGHT Trump's plan to drill off our beaches, BAN fracking and RESTORE the Everglades. pic.twitter.com/Wivki5vrLo
— Gwen Graham (@GwenGraham) April 22, 2018
In Tampa, former Miami Beach Mayor and gubernatorial candidate Philip Levine stumped at the Black Business Bus Tour:
https://twitter.com/MayorLevine/status/987767280355430400
At the DBCFL meeting, Tallahassee Mayor and Governor candidate Andrew Gillum is pictured front and center:
It’s always an honor to be with @DBCFlorida, the Soul of the Party. This #FLGov forum is so important — we can’t win with Republican Lite in 2018. We’ve gotta give Democrats a reason to vote FOR something this November. #DBCF2018 pic.twitter.com/3C4hoNom9m
— Andrew Gillum (@AndrewGillum) April 21, 2018
Orlando businessman Chris King exhibited at the Spring Fling his ability to capture an audience’s attention:
Nothing better than standing in front of a room full of fired up Democrats ready to turn this state blue. @hillsdems, this is your year. Let's show Florida something new come November! pic.twitter.com/OJwVQryVng
— Chris King (@ChrisKingFL) April 22, 2018
Meanwhile, the race for Attorney General chugged on. Former Hillsborough Judge Ashley Moody, a Republican candidate, spoke to voters in West Pasco:
Thank you to my friends at West Pasco Republican Club for having me this morning! pic.twitter.com/LEuYwtpg8k
— Ashley Moody (@AshleyMoodyFL) April 21, 2018
AG candidate and Republican state Rep. Frank White, of Pensacola, attracted ears in Osceola County:
Incredible night at the Osceola County Lincoln Day Dinner! Grassroots leaders here and around the state are working hard toward GOP victories in November. Thank you for all that you do! pic.twitter.com/6r2fu41fdZ
— Frank White (@FrankWhiteFL) April 22, 2018
Tampa state Rep. Sean Shaw, also an AG candidate, trekked behind his party’s gubernatorial candidates. He also hit the Black Business Bus Tour stop in Tampa:
Had a great time at the #blackbusinessbustour! The turnout was amazing and the food trucks took all of my $…😂. Thanks to Candy Lowe and her team for organizing this event! pic.twitter.com/vBUdvHWmSC
— Sean Shaw (@SShawFL) April 21, 2018
Agriculture Commissioner candidate Denise Grimsley, who seems to be finding time in every nook of Florida, received some support from her chamber colleague, state Sen. Rene Garcia:
https://twitter.com/denisegrimsley/status/987673937315291137
State Rep. Matt Caldwell, who’s competing against Grimsley and also covers the state extensively via his #2lanetravels, attended a memorial service for the two slain Gilchrist County officers.
An outpouring of love and faith tonight as the two fallen @GCSOFlorida officers were remembered in Trenton this evening. pic.twitter.com/vkJlMfQNlm
— Matt Caldwell (@mattcaldwell_fl) April 22, 2018
Jimmy Patronis, who’s running for reelection in the Chief Financial Officer race, received some unscientific, but still reassuring support.
Proud to have unanimously won the Lee County REC straw poll this morning! Thank you for your support and confidence in me as your chief financial officer! @Fla_Pol #sayfie
— Jimmy Patronis (@JimmyPatronis) April 21, 2018
Democratic CFO candidate Jeremy Ring had a chance to speak at the Hillsborough Spring Fling:
Had an amazing time Saturday at the @hillsdems Spring Fling event! #TeamRing had a great time with #TerrieRizzo, as well as Governor candidates @AndrewGillum , @GwenGraham , @ChrisKingFL , & @MayorLevine. #sayfie #flapol @FlaDems #PutARingOnIt #RingforCFO #JeremyRing #fladems pic.twitter.com/v4vhIqHufl
— Senator Jeremy Ring (@JeremyRingFL) April 23, 2018
U.S. Rep. Brian Mast, who’s seeking reelection to his Treasure Coast district, used Earth Day to message on Lake Okeechobee:
In my short time in Congress, I’ve been fighting for our environmental priorities like curbing discharges from Lake Okeechobee. This #EarthDay, let’s double down on our efforts and make 2018 the year we get it done! #SendTheWaterSouth pic.twitter.com/fVNIYUbj1k
— Rep. Brian Mast (@RepBrianMast) April 22, 2018
Orlando Democratic Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy, on the other hand, used the holiday to flex her angling skills — and to message on preservation:
Here in Florida, our environment is our way of life — and the key to our economic way of life. This #EarthDay, and every day, I’ll never stop fighting to protect our precious natural resources. #FlaPol #FL07 pic.twitter.com/bRWMBQoFu2
— Stephanie Murphy (@SMurphyCongress) April 23, 2018
Republican state Rep. Bob Cortes, of Altomonte Springs, qualified for the ballot last week. Over the weekend he received support from Ryan Petty, who lost a child in the Marjory Stoneman Douglas massacre:
https://twitter.com/rpetty/status/988240965134528512
Orlando Democratic state Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith posed alongside other Dems ahead of a Planned Parenthood event:
Here w/Former Democratic Leader Mark Pafford, my boo and Karen Castor Dentel supporting Planned Parenthood!! @PPSENFL pic.twitter.com/qiihWCIGz5
— Rep. Carlos G Smith (@CarlosGSmith) April 22, 2018
Northeast Florida state Rep. Cord Byrd attended fight night, also known as Jacksonville’s Guns ‘n Hoses event. Sponsored each year by the Fraternal Order of Police, the charitable event pits law enforcement officers and firefighters against each other in friendly boxing matches.
You can’t talk about fight club, but I guess you can tweet about it:
https://twitter.com/CordByrd/status/987843123530424321
Orlando Republican state Rep. Rene Plasencia, or ‘Coach P,’ isn’t showing any signs of stagnation in his reelection bid:
Humbled by the show of support today as we shared our message w/ voters. Having people from diverse political backgrounds, all sharing the same message of team and community, is what my campaign is built on. Being a teacher for 15 years helped shape my vision for the future. pic.twitter.com/I7EvU23w5H
— Rene Plasencia (@CoachP_CHS) April 21, 2018
