Ryan Nicol
Former Miami Beach Mayor and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Philip Levine is set to begin a two-day trip to the Florida Panhandle Friday. He’ll start off the tour in Tallahassee before moving on to Pensacola, Destin, and Panama City.
Levine, who set up his campaign headquarters in Miami, is looking to expand his support outside of South Florida. He faces several challengers for the Democratic nomination including former U.S. Rep Gwen Graham, businessman Chris King, and the mayor of Tallahassee, Andrew Gillum.
Levine’s first campaign stop Friday will be an evening meet-and-greet in Tallahassee with local Democrats. On Saturday he’ll move on to a conversation with military veterans and families in Pensacola before traveling to Destin to meet with residents from Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Walton counties regarding environmental concerns.
The two-day trip will conclude Saturday afternoon in Panama City, as Levine is set to sit down with the Bay County Women’s Democratic Club.
Recent polls have shown the former mayor and businessman with slight leads over his Democratic opponents. One showed Levine with a two-point lead over Gillum. Another had Levine leading Graham by three points.
On the Republican side, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam and U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis lead the way. Putnam was endorsed earlier this morning by the Florida Chamber of Commerce.
Both parties’ primaries will be held August 28.
