Gwen Graham opens campaign HQ in Orlando
Gwen Graham celebrated the opening of her statewide headquarters in Orlando with grassroots activists, supporters, and elected officials Saturday.

graham, gwen - opening orlando hg

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gwen Graham opened a new campaign headquarters in Orlando Saturday.

“This is just thrilling. I’m so excited to officially be a resident of Orlando. Central Florida is at the heart of our 67-county strategy,” Graham said, “After 20 years of Republican dominance, we face so many challenges. That’s why I’m running for governor. We must restore our promise to public education, protect our environment, and build an economy that works for everyone.”

The former congresswoman was joined by supporters and a handful of Orlando-area elected officials for the opening celebration, including Democratic state Sen. Linda Stewart, who endorsed Graham ahead of the weekend event.

“I’ve had enough of the portraits of men hanging in the Governor’s mansion. We have a real chance to do something about a generation of failed leadership in Florida,” Stewart said Saturday. “I believe in Gwen Graham. I am voting for her. And I am proud to endorse her as the next Governor of the State of Florida.”

Stewart is a leader in Democrats’ fight for an assault weapons ban. Graham reiterated her support of such a measure Saturday.

 “I was actually in Orlando when the Pulse shooting happened and then I was able to sit with Congressman John Lewis on the House floor and call for action. I still can’t believe nothing happened,” she said. “After the shooting at Stoneman Douglas, we must take action. When I’m governor, I’m going to listen to the students who are crying out for commonsense gun safety.”

Along with Stewart, Orlando Rep. Amy Mercado, Attorney General candidate and Tampa Rep. Sean Shaw, HD 47 candidate Anna Eskamani and former Rep. Karen Castor Dentel attended the headquarters opening.

Graham’s new HQ is not far from Democratic Primary opponent Chris King’s base, opened last month. Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine also recently opened a campaign office in Central Florida, though his is in Kissimmee.

Graham faces Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum, King and Levine in the primary.

Through March, she held the No. 2 spot in primary race fundraising with about $6.5 million raised and $3.9 million in the bank. Levine has been in the top spot since entering the race last year, though much of his funding comes from his personal fortune.

Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam and Northeast Florida U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis are competing for the Republican nomination. House Speaker Richard Corcoran could join them in the race as soon as this week.

Drew Wilson

Drew Wilson covers legislative campaigns and fundraising for Florida Politics. He is a former editor at The Independent Florida Alligator and business correspondent at The Hollywood Reporter. Wilson, a University of Florida alumnus, covered the state economy and Legislature for LobbyTools and The Florida Current prior to joining Florida Politics.



#FlaPol

Florida Politics is a statewide, new media platform covering campaigns, elections, government, policy, and lobbying in Florida. This platform and all of its content are owned by Extensive Enterprises Media.

Publisher: Peter Schorsch @PeterSchorschFL

Contributors & reporters: Phil Ammann, Drew Dixon, Roseanne Dunkelberger, A.G. Gancarski, Anne Geggis, Ryan Nicol, Jacob Ogles, Cole Pepper, Gray Rohrer, Jesse Scheckner, Christine Sexton, Drew Wilson, and Mike Wright.

Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @PeterSchorschFL
Phone: (727) 642-3162
Address: 204 37th Avenue North #182
St. Petersburg, Florida 33704




Sign up for Sunburn


Categories