Jacob Ogles
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum accepted invitations to debates hosted by Univision and by Leadership Florida. But whether Republican Ron DeSantis will be on stage as well remains unclear.
“We hope that Congressman DeSantis will join us, though it’s unclear whether he’ll be able to answer a single question about his nonexistent campaign platform,” said Gillum adviser Scott Arceneaux in a statement.
No dates have been determined yet, except that the events would happen in October. DeSantis has yet to confirm attendance.
A release from the Gillum campaign says Univision 23 Miami and Leadership Florida invited the candidate to debates, and the release seems to indicate both of those events will take place in South Florida.
The campaign says it has insisted on having at least one debate outside of that region of the state to ensure voters across the state have heard from both candidates.
“Florida voters deserve the chance to hear from Mayor Gillum and Congressman DeSantis about the critical issues facing our state,” Arceneaux said. “Mayor Gillum looks forward to sharing his vision for Florida that lifts people up, with higher wages, more money for schools and affordable health care.”
The Gillum campaign release notes that in addition to five Democratic primary debates, Gillum also participated in February in a one-on-one debate with Speaker of the House Richard Corcoran as well.
Univision has made no announcement about when it plans to hold a debate with gubernatorial candidates. The network in 2010 held the first debate between Republican Rick Scott and Democrat Alex Sink on Oct. 8, less than a month before Scott won the governorship.
Leadership Florida, along with the Florida Press Association, hosted a 2014 televised debate between Scott and Democrat Charlie Crist on Oct. 14.
The Florida governor’s race, scheduled for Nov. 6 this year, remains one of the most closely watched in the country. All polls released included in Real Clear Politics index since the candidates won their respecting primaries show Gillum leading by between 2 and 6 percentage points.
A St. Pete Polls survey last week found the race almost tied, with Gillum holding the slightest of edge.
14 comments
Voncile
September 15, 2018 at 10:53 pm
Vote for DeSantis people. I’ve heard Gillum’s ‘campaign platform’ and believe me, we will not like it for our State or our Country!
Worse than Obama’s.
CrowQuillPen
September 16, 2018 at 7:18 am
Voncile, President Obama was never the Governor of Florida like Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum is going to be. Andrew Gillum’s platform takes into account our states particular environmental and economic needs, and he is conscious of the needs of all Floridians. That is why Florida is going to vote for him.
Nordonia Nate
September 16, 2018 at 10:02 am
Gillum has stated that he will raise corporate taxes 2.25% to help finance his healthcare proposal. Gillum also stated the tax increase will not cover the total cost. HOW much of the cost will it cover?
Bernie Sanders proposes universal healthcare at $30T. Ocasio-Cortez claims a 2% increase on ALL corporations will generate enough money to cover less than 1% of the healthcare needs. The Gillum corporate would cover how much of HIS proposal?
Gillum also stated he will get healthcare providers to lower their costs promising to make healthcare cheaper for Floridians. PP/ACA made the same promise as healthcare costs continued to climb.
When Gillum can’t generate enough money on taxing corporations, where will he turn next to tax?
When Gillum can’t get healthcare providers to lower their costs, where will he turn next?
CrowQuillPen
September 16, 2018 at 2:13 pm
In Florida we don’t have an individual income tax because of our unique tourist driven economy. Sales tax is in a large part paid by millions of visitors we have every year. Republican policies Are destroying our waterways and beaches. How long will our number one economic advantage survive without our beaches? If Republicans get any more time as caretakers of our environment, we will need an individual income tax to make up for the lost tourism revenue. Look at the big picture.
Nordonia Nate
September 16, 2018 at 3:03 pm
What policies are you referencing? Let me guess… You blame the red tide problem on the Republicans.. All I read from you people are gross generalizations, misrepresentations and unsupported accusations..
Tell ya what… Here’s your chance … Help us all understand HOW Gillum is going to finance and implement his agenda … As you choose to rely on generalizations… Let’s get serious.. Let’s get intothe specifics… Gillum.. HOWwill he do it?
CrowQuillPen
September 16, 2018 at 4:14 pm
I can’t look in to the future, but I can see the past 20 years of Republican control of the state government has been a disaster for Florida’s waterways and beaches. The governor’s cabinet are directly in charge of environmental protection in the state. The negative economic impact of the red tide on businesses and sales tax revenue alone should make any reasonable person vote for Andrew Gillum.
Nordonia Nate
September 16, 2018 at 4:37 pm
CrowQuillPen… Interesting how you continue to blame a natural phenomenon on the Republicans, AND still refuse to explain the Gillum plan for Florida.
Of the plan is so good, why can’t you explain it?
CrowQuillPen
September 16, 2018 at 5:14 pm
Human decisions contribute to the severity and length of a red tide occurrences, and as Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund, the governor and his cabinet hold much of the responsibility. Regarding the plans of the next governor—I know Andrew Gillum will take the needs of Floridian’s into account, and responsibly balance the economic needs of working people and the need for healthcare in the state. He will also be a more responsible steward of environmental protection for our rivers and beaches.
Nordonia Nate
September 16, 2018 at 5:28 pm
CrowQuillPen,
Again. IF you “know” so much about Gillum, why are you so reluctant to share how Gillum will accomplish what you “know”. Why are you so afraid?
CrowQuillPen
September 16, 2018 at 5:30 pm
I can’t see the future, but I trust him. Now, can’t we just continue to watch the Jaguars beat the Patriots (hope it continues) like a couple of Floridians?
Nordonia Nate
September 16, 2018 at 6:06 pm
CrowQuillPen.. Just Like Gillum… A whole lot of nothing .. Enjoy your tv
Nobody
September 16, 2018 at 10:30 am
Special thanks to the commenters above. I wasn’t sure who I was going to vote for – but those comments made the difference. Great job!
Paul F
September 16, 2018 at 1:40 pm
A vote for DeSantis is a vote to bring President Trump’s policies and positions to Florida.
Denie climate change. Tax breaks to big business. Deregulate environmental safeguards.
If you care about these items and positions you have no choice then to vote for Gillum
Nordonian Nate
September 16, 2018 at 2:02 pm
The economy is strong. Wages are increasing. Consumer confidence is high. Business confidence is high. Business investment is a high levels. Jobless rate is 3.9%. Labor participation rate is up. More jobs than applicants. Very low jobless claims. Border security. A merit-baseb immigration policy. Fair trade. Lower taxes. THOSE are the Trump policies and positions.
Climate change? The USA pulled out of the Paris Accords and LEADS TTHE WORLD in lower CO2 emissions. Lower than Canada AND Europe.
90% of the working people in the USA received tax cuts. Business worker benefits have increased SIGNIFICANTLY with the tax cuts and strong economy.
WHAT environmental safeguards were deregulated AND what were the environmental impacts? We read this claim, but we never see any consequences.
Gillum has stated he will raise corporate tax by 2.25% to pay a portion of his healthcare proposal. Gillum has stated the tax will not be enough. Gillum also has not stated how much his proposal will cost. Gillum also promised to get healthcare to lower their prices. Gillum hasn’t said HOW he will get that done.
Gillum has not stated how he plans to keep the Florida economy by raising taxes and creating higher healthcare costs …
Comments are closed.