Scott Powers
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Philip Levine is launching a new digital commercial with a pledge he “won’t wait one second” to push for stronger background checks and a ban on assault rifles.
In the 30-second video “How Much More?” Levine and his wife Carolina appear with their family and discuss school shootings, as she declares, “Philip and I can’t imagine the pain.” After clips of him at gun reform marches and rallies, he pledges to stand up to the National Rifle Association “or anyone who tries to stop us from protecting our kids.”
His campaign said the ad will be backed by a five-figure digital buy.
The policy statements are nothing new. Levine began featuring his gun policies in his commercials in early March. This one though turns the perspective to that of parents worrying about their family. His children, and even his dog, appear in the commercial.
“This year’s grim statistic of one school shooting occurring each week must compel our state to act now. After years of NRA-sponsored laws being passed in Tallahassee, the time has come to elect a leader who will stand up for our children and for families throughout Florida. Mayor Levine is more committed than ever to taking immediate action on gun reform as Florida’s next Governor,” his senior adviser Christian Ulvert stated in a news release. “Whether through the Legislature, or by supporting the family-led constitutional initiative spearheaded in part by Congressman Deutch, he will not stop until Florida takes decisive action,” stated Christian Ulvert, Senior Advisor to the campaign.”
Levine, the former mayor of Miami Beach, faces Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum, former U.S. Rep. Gwen Graham, and Winter Park businessman Chris King in the August 28 Democratic primary. The leading Republicans are Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam and U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis.
