Danny McAuliffe
Your “in-case-you-missed-it” recap of the Sunshine State’s political Twitter over the weekend.
Pols on Saturday and Sunday chimed in on the news of the hour, including the Royal Wedding, Armed Forces Day and national developments. Though the weekend was prefaced with a tragic school shooting in Texas, and that set the tone for many tweets.
As always, this review will highlight a little bit of everything.
Gov. Rick Scott, who’s challenging incumbent Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson, is pictured here speaking with Bay of Pigs vets on Cuban Independence Day (May 20):
For Cuban Independence Day I visited with veterans of the Bay of Pigs to discuss their experiences and how we can promote freedom in Cuba and Latin America. pic.twitter.com/nThh7xzssB
— Rick Scott (@ScottforFlorida) May 20, 2018
Sen. Nelson, 75, broke the local internet with an impressive display of strength:
The chin-up challenge was on earlier today at Station 46. Here's a look at @SenBillNelson showing our guys how to do it. The senator made a pit stop to visit with firefighters while he was in town for #handsacrossthesand — the senator won the challenge! pic.twitter.com/oXaeDUOjqa
— Clearwater Fire & Rescue Department (@clearwaterfire) May 19, 2018
Florida’s Republican U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio spent quite a bit of time messaging on developments in the trade deal with China:
If we make a deal in which #China promises to buy $200 billion from U.S. in exchange for business as usual,the current administration will become the latest example of a White House so desperate for a deal they get beat badly by China in negotiation https://t.co/T2SlAUjEqD
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) May 20, 2018
In the statewide race for Governor, Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam‘s team is seen here in a Newberry parade:
Another great day on the campaign trail for Team @adamputnam at the Newberry Watermelon Festival Parade! #sayfie #flapol 🍉🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/jqfYBSLKcC
— Team Putnam (@TeamPutnam) May 19, 2018
Governor’s candidate and U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis, a veteran, reminded his followers of the military on Saturday:
Our country is safe and secure, and our freedoms are protected thanks to sacrifices our armed forces make. One of the best decisions I ever made was serving in the Navy and now in the reserves. This #ArmedForcesDay I am proud to stand along side these brave men and women! pic.twitter.com/auDUAsU2s3
— Ron DeSantis (@RonDeSantisFL) May 19, 2018
Former Mayor of Miami Beach Philip Levine, a Democratic candidate for Governor, spent time with the youth at his HQ in Miami:
https://twitter.com/MayorLevine/status/998233780916838403
Former Congresswoman Gwen Graham messaged on the affordable housing crisis:
While Tallahassee Republicans and @FLGovScott stole from the Sadowski Affordable Housing Trust to fund their special interests and pet projects, Orlando home prices rose 6 times faster than wages in the last year. As governor, I will end the housing raids. https://t.co/mkR8Mt73vs
— Gwen Graham (@GwenGraham) May 20, 2018
Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum stumped in Florida’s Villages:
It’s great to be back in The Villages! Believe me when I tell you: there are tons of fired up Democrats here! #BringItHome pic.twitter.com/cQbIT6tZsv
— Andrew Gillum (@AndrewGillum) May 19, 2018
Orlando businessman Chris King was recognized by Florida Young Democrats:
I was honored to be recognized by @FlaYoungDems as their "Trailblazer" award winner last night. When I started this campaign it was always my goal to be transformative, and I'm proud to have brought new leadership on the issues most important to Floridians. #FlaPol pic.twitter.com/Oa00RlmeSl
— Chris King (@ChrisKingFL) May 20, 2018
In other statewide races, Tampa Democratic Rep. Sean Shaw stopped in Gainesville while touring the state for his bid for Attorney General:
Here in Gainesville to speak with the @ProgressiveFL … and then go to Reggae Shack! Go Gators! #shawforflorida pic.twitter.com/zjYFGu771k
— Sean Shaw (@SShawFL) May 19, 2018
In the race Agriculture Commissioner, Republican state Sen. Denise Grimsley messaged on the “next generation of growers.”:
https://twitter.com/denisegrimsley/status/997908293153640451
Meanwhile, in Clay County, Republican state Rep. Matt Caldwell won his fifth ‘straw poll’ in his quest for the Ag Comish seat:
Thank you to our supporters in Clay County! #2lanetravels #flapol pic.twitter.com/2AZm5RYyDs
— Matt Caldwell (@mattcaldwell_fl) May 19, 2018
U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz quickly supported Donald Trump‘s announcement that he’d order an investigation into whether the Justice Department or FBI surveilled his 2016 campaign:
#BoldLeadership https://t.co/S36OzLbKXH
— Matt Gaetz (@mattgaetz) May 20, 2018
Congressman Mario Diaz–Balart messaged on Cuban independence:
As we celebrate 116 years of Cuba’s independence from Spain, we look forward to the day when the longsuffering Cuban people finally rid themselves of an oppressive dictatorship that has tormented, murdered, and imprisoned for far too long. #cuba
— Mario Diaz-Balart (@MarioDB) May 20, 2018
Orlando Democratic U.S. Rep. Stephanie Murphy spent time with Ruth’s List:
Such an honor to spend time with the @RuthsListFL candidates taking Florida by storm in 2018. This moment demands a surge in women’s leadership & this group is ready to run! My advice to them: when they underestimate you, kill ‘em with competence! #ShesTheChange #FlaPol #FL07 pic.twitter.com/ogJV0mquW8
— Stephanie Murphy (@SMurphyCongress) May 19, 2018
And Murphy’s neighboring Democratic Rep. Darren Soto stopped by a nearby blueberry farm:
.@RepDarrenSoto (FL-09) visited Central Florida’s Beck Brothers Blueberry Farm to discuss the importance of supporting local farmers. #DemsAtWork pic.twitter.com/mNiAjbxaEl
— House Democrats (@HouseDemocrats) May 20, 2018
Congressional candidate Carla Spalding messaged on the Parkland and Texas school shootings:
.@AndrewPollackFL is right. Broward students need more common sense solutions and fewer political games from @DWStweets & her allies. We MUST protect our schools NOW. #FlaPol #Sayfie @realDonaldTrump pic.twitter.com/lccAsnnMQT
— Carla Spalding For Congress District 23 2022 (@carla_spalding) May 20, 2018
Inclement weather didn’t slow Scott Sturgill‘s congressional campaign team:
A little rain doesn’t stop #TeamSturgill ! My team is out here at campaign HQ smiling and dialing!!! pic.twitter.com/yfoL0K083I
— Scott Sturgill (@Scott_Sturgill) May 19, 2018
Democratic candidate for Congress Nancy Soderberg met a student from Parkland at a Ruth’s List event:
Honored to meet @edenrebecca32 at Ruth list. She is a #ParklandStudents activist who will change the world and keep our kids safe! pic.twitter.com/FLYmG6rXYZ
— Nancy Soderberg (@nancysoderberg) May 19, 2018
Democratic state Rep. David Richardson had a unique way of using his intro time at a congressional debate:
.@david4florida yields his intro time and asks the audience to hold a moment of silence for the victims in yesterday’s TX high school shooting
— David Smiley (@NewsbySmiley) May 19, 2018
State legislative seatholders and candidates kept apace.
Orlando Democratic Sen. Linda Stewart, known for championing gun control legislation, is miffed:
Pulse (49), Parkland (17) and Governor Rick Scott refused to discuss banning assault weapons, high capacity magazines and background checks. That is not leadership. @FLDEM @FlaYoungDems
— Linda Stewart (@LindaStewartFL) May 20, 2018
Tampa Republican Sen. Jeff Brandes is doing criminal justice prep work — even in the offseason:
"Prisoners older than 55 serving time in federal and state prisons make up the fastest-growing age group behind bars, increasing more than 500% since the 1990s" #compassionaterelease #FL #cjreform https://t.co/UqfzBS8TpA
— Jeff Brandes (@JeffreyBrandes) May 20, 2018
Sen. Dana Young, also of Tampa, is pictured here with Scott:
What makes a great night in the 813? Sitting with my favorite Governor @FLGovScott at the Hillsborough REC dinner and the @TBLightning up 3-1 in Game 5! #GoBolts pic.twitter.com/RSLquXzpaP
— Dana Young (@DanaYoungFL) May 20, 2018
Democratic Rep. Richard Stark wants action on gun control:
No more thoughts and prayers. Time for action. pic.twitter.com/HwQfx8fY5o
— Richard Stark (@RichardNStark) May 20, 2018
Rep. Manny Diaz‘ team isn’t shying away from bad weather for the South Florida pol’s bid for the state Senate:
Rain or shine we have team @RepMannyDiazJr is walking to win #MDJ2018 #FlaPol pic.twitter.com/Jd5yg5T2sd
— Daniel Martinez (@Danmartinez305) May 19, 2018
House candidate Berny Jacques also isn’t bothered by a bit of precipitation:
Can’t rain on this parade. #ProtectPinellas #flapol pic.twitter.com/qYdpwsI0PK
— Berny Jacques (@bernyjacques) May 20, 2018
Canines for Coach P (Orland Rep. Rene Plasencia) should be trending:
#canine’s 4 #Coach P thank @leek_tj 4 #ponceslaw. #sayfie #titusville pic.twitter.com/QEd7jAa6VB
— Rene Plasencia (@CoachP_CHS) May 20, 2018
The Sunshine State’s humidity is no match for Rep. Bobby Olszewski’s re-election canvassing:
Thank you to my Team Bobby O volunteers who braved the humidity today! Also a first in all my years of walking, actually came face to face with a coral snake (red and yellow kill a fellow right)! #VoteBobbyO @jadabuare1 @alex_lesk @BonitaScase @AvegaOrtiz pic.twitter.com/lnoTzCvJtl
— Bobby Olszewski (@BobbyOlszewski) May 19, 2018
Sarasota Rep. Margaret Good, who won a high-profile ‘blue wave’ special election, received enough signatures for the ballot:
BIG NEWS: we gathered enough petitions to qualify for the November ballot! We won in February because of grassroots support across the district, and now I’m more heartened than ever that we’ll do the same this fall! pic.twitter.com/tRJJmOMcuG
— Margaret Good (@GoodforFlorida) May 19, 2018
