Danny McAuliffe
This past weekend saw college graduations, the Kentuck Derby, Cinco de Mayo festivities and — as always — quite a bit of digital-political activity.
But if you lost track of the candidate pulse on the Twittersphere, don’t worry. Florida Politics has you covered.
Gov. Rick Scott, who’s campaigning for the U.S. Senate, shook hands and smiled at the 2018 Military Weekend in Kissimmee:
I had a great time celebrating our troops with great people at the 2018 Military Weekend in Kissimmee on Friday. pic.twitter.com/t4fkZChqVL
— Rick Scott (@ScottforFlorida) May 6, 2018
U.S. Senator Bill Nelson addressed graduates at Bethune-Cookman University‘s graduation ceremony:
Congratulations to all of the @bethunecookman graduates today! Thanks for letting me be a part of your big day! pic.twitter.com/8KgVBqCSlS
— Bill Nelson (@SenBillNelson) May 5, 2018
In the Governor’s race, both Republican candidates appeared at the Florida Family Policy Council forum on Saturday night.
Adam Putnam said his takes shouldn’t have been surprising:
As your next governor, there will be no surprises when it comes to what my values and priorities are. Great to be with the Florida Family Policy Council tonight. pic.twitter.com/hn8AoKxSZs
— Adam Putnam (@adamputnam) May 6, 2018
U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis thanked the Council for the opportunity:
A special thank you to the wonderful people at the Florida Family Policy Council for having me and allowing me to share my values and vision for Florida. pic.twitter.com/5FvQuBVLYg
— Ron DeSantis (@RonDeSantisFL) May 6, 2018
On the Democratic side of the gubernatorial race, former Congresswoman Gwen Graham held a grand opening at her new Orlando headquarters:
Today's HQ Grand Opening packed with grassroots activists, supporters, and dedicated public servants was thrilling! I’m so excited to officially be a resident of Orlando — and Central Florida will be at the heart of our 67 county strategy! pic.twitter.com/KnOCnlr2Ek
— Gwen Graham (@GwenGraham) May 5, 2018
Former Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine, meanwhile, stumped through the Panhandle:
https://twitter.com/MayorLevine/status/992853744697118720
Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum ramped up messaging on criminal justice reform:
We must reform the justice system in America — not just for those like @MeekMill who can afford it, but for those who can’t. Next year in Florida that means qualified judges who reflect the diversity of our state, bail reform, and a sentencing overhaul. https://t.co/Dco9r8URnS
— Andrew Gillum (@AndrewGillum) May 6, 2018
Orlando businessman Chris King threw a bit of shade ahead of Saturday’s Republican forum:
Alternatively, you could support meaningful gun safety reform by donating to these groups:@MomsDemand: https://t.co/qDJxRe1OzJ@Everytown: https://t.co/7c1JBaXfbO@AMarch4OurLiveshttps://t.co/fGL2a6ABD6 https://t.co/FwGTrpBjMx
— Chris King (@ChrisKingFL) May 5, 2018
Cabinet members and candidates kept apace as well.
Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, who is running for reelection, delivered the keynote address to a group of Northwest Florida State College graduates:
Thank You @nwfstatecollege for the honor to join you & our next generation! Congrats! #NWFRaiderGrad pic.twitter.com/tGYniV3fD2
— Jimmy Patronis (@JimmyPatronis) May 5, 2018
Tampa state Rep. Sean Shaw, a Democrat vying for the Attorney General post, picnicked in Deland:
Thank you @DWCFL for putting on a great picnic in Deland, FL and allowing me to share my vision for the Attorney General’s office! 🌊🌊🌊#shawforflorida pic.twitter.com/RHsO7auF62
— Sean Shaw (@SShawFL) May 5, 2018
State Sen. Denise Grimsley, a Republican candidate for Agriculture Commissioner, donned some Derby Day apparel in Pasco alongside Sen. Wilton Simpson and Congressman Gus Bilirakis:
https://twitter.com/denisegrimsley/status/992958013395951616
Congressional and legislative candidates across the state had their fair share of activity as well.
Going back to Bethune-Cookman’s graduation ceremony, it looks like Sen. Nelson wasn’t the only member of Congress present:
Words cannot express how humble and grateful I am to receive an Honorary Doctorate from @bethunecookman during their 2018 Commencement Exercises. pic.twitter.com/fwviWXXbjz
— Rep. Val Demings (@RepValDemings) May 6, 2018
State House Speaker Richard Corcoran — who everyone is watching — reminded his followers about the importance of law enforcement:
Yesterday, I gathered with @FLGovScott & @PascoSheriff to honor the officers who sacrificed their lives for the safety of our communities. We should keep our law enforcement in our prayers every day as they serve and protect. pic.twitter.com/szHnFgqW0W
— Richard Corcoran (@richardcorcoran) May 5, 2018
State Rep. Byron Donalds, a Naples Republican, is pictured here with his wife, Erika Donalds, alongside U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos at Ave Maria University:
Congrats to the @avemariauniv graduating Class of 2018! It was an honor to be in the building for your special moment. Special thanks to @BetsyDeVosED for your inspiring inspiring words, and your unfathomable courage in the service of our nation! pic.twitter.com/ibIG98Plom
— Byron Donalds (@ByronDonalds) May 5, 2018
Republican state Rep. Erin Grall chipped in at an Indian River Habitat for Humanity project:
Many hands make light work – well kind of. Proud to participate in National Women Build Week 2018 with @IRCHabitat and @SusanAdamsIRC pic.twitter.com/s96kMBqU7y
— Erin Grall (@ErinGrall) May 5, 2018
Also at Graham’s HQ debut: an endorsement from Orlando Democratic state Sen. Linda Stewart:
Please support Gwen Graham for Governor. She is standing tall to right all the wrongs of 20 years of one party rule. A woman in the mansion will be great. #TeamGraham pic.twitter.com/Uwt6o0NSAY
— Linda Stewart (@LindaStewartFL) May 6, 2018
Orange County Republican state Rep. Bobby Olszewski met with the cast of “Sesame Street” at Sea World:
Another fun morning in FL House District 44 at Sea World having breakfast with Elmo and friends from Sesame Street! @SeaWorld @sesamestreet @elmo @MeCookieMonster pic.twitter.com/BfGnhNk03n
— Bobby Olszewski (@BobbyOlszewski) May 7, 2018
HD 60 Democratic candidate Debra Bellanti has some nice neighbors:
https://twitter.com/Bellanti2018/status/993320920466034688
Republican Mikaela Nix, who’s running for the HD 47 seat in Orlando, suggests maybe she can bridge party differences:
https://twitter.com/MikaelaNix/status/992921865290240001
Democrat Adam Hattersley, who’s looking to replace Dover Republican state Rep. Ross Spano, showed that Democrats, too, can enjoy BBQ:
Speaking at the East Hillsborough Dems cookout – great turnout AND great bbq! #bluewave #election2018 @BuildTheWave @Fla_Pol pic.twitter.com/uhLiVpoy0U
— Adam Hattersley (@HattersleyforFL) May 5, 2018
