Jacob Ogles
Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum, the Democratic nominee for Florida Governor, will remain off the campaign trail until at least Wednesday while his community recovers from Hurricane Michael. That means the first gubernatorial debate will likely be canceled.
“I’m as eager to get back out there talking to folks,” Gillum said in a Facebook message to supporters. “I still believe in the possibilities that lie ahead to transform our state.… But we’ve got to get this job done here first.”
Gillum was set to appear at a Telemundo debate with Republican gubernatorial nominee Ron DeSantis on Tuesday in Orlando.
“Over the past several days I have been unable to participate in dozens of campaign events, and this week that will include our participation in the debate sponsored by Telemundo 31 Orlando,” Gillum later said in a statement.
“I deeply appreciate the organizers’ understanding of the situation in Tallahassee. We will work diligently to ensure Telemundo and its audience are represented in the two scheduled debates and other possible forums.”
Gillum noted the Tallahassee City Commission will hold a meeting on Wednesday evening. By that point, Gillum said, officials hope to restore power for 90 percent of city residents. But, right now, the city remains heavily impacted by the storm.
“My first priority, my first job,” Gillum said, “is to be the Mayor and to do that job as effectively as I can. To that end, we’re still here in Tallahassee and not able to get back on the trail yet.”
Gillum spokesman Geoff Burgan announced the news on Saturday afternoon.
As Tallahassee continues its recovery, @AndrewGillum announces via Facebook Live that he’ll be off the trail through Wednesday: https://t.co/cL2szT1g9A #flapol #flgov
— Geoff Burgan (@GeoffBurgan) October 13, 2018
That prompted political analyst Steve Schale to note Gillum’s electoral success will rely on the candidate succeeding at the job he already holds.
“As the old saying goes, you do well by doing good,” Schale said. “He’s done a great job this week.”
Gillum left the campaign trail on Sunday when the storm, still a tropical storm, threatened the coast. Ultimately, the storm grew to greater strength than Hurricane Andrew, recalibrating schedules for a number of candidates.
But Gillum also noted Tallahassee didn’t bear the brunt of the storm. “We are extremely thankful that our community was able to, frankly, dodge what could have been a significantly more impactful storm,” he said.
Still, some 110,000 Tallahassee residents lost power at some point.
But because areas like Bay County and Mexico City suffered worse harm, Gillum said, and regional response remains important for Panhandle leaders.
He apologized to supporters who looked forward to seeing Gillum speak at campaign events, but asked they continue to represent his vision on the trail.
He hoped by week’s end, he could “get ourselves back on the trail with the rest of you working to flip Florida.”
7 comments
Walter Cason
October 14, 2018 at 6:37 am
Mr. Gillum. I want to thank you for being so humble and caring, I am so proud of you for taking time off the campaign trail and doing the best damn job of showing the residents of our Capitol and our state and around the world what a leader does to protect. Since announcing your candidacy for governor you really have been bruised and battered by individuals that hope you will fail in your quest for governor by quitting. I come to tell everyone that God said don’t mess with my anointed one, I say to you KEEP THE FAITH AND DON’T GIVE UP BECAUSE THE HEAVENLY FATHER GAVE YOU THIS OPPORTUNITY, don’t let us Floridians down, we love you and may God continue to bless and keep you safe and in his arms. LET’S BRING IT HOME. You need some signs put out in the Gainesville area. I am ready to work, I am a Retired CSM United States Army.
Vote Right
October 14, 2018 at 1:15 pm
What exactly is Gillum doing in Tallahassee to help. Very little damage in this town. Walking the steets on his phone for photo ops or is he climbing power poles or is he cleaning up a few branches and twigs.
Say “bring it home” to thousands of families without homes, without food or water. To all the victims without jobs now. Go get your hands dirty where it is needed and quit pretending you are doing something!
Amy
October 14, 2018 at 7:13 pm
My husband works for Tallahassee utilities and I can tell you for a fact, there was extensive damage to the utilities infrastructure—some streets lost every single power pole. In fact, he worked 15 hour shifts for the last four days during the restoration—the damage, while not catastrophic, was extensive.
DK
October 14, 2018 at 8:00 pm
You are a despicable sub-human primate to spew bull**** like that. Every City employee has worked 5 days straight, the linemen even more, to fulfill our pledge to provide the best possible service to our citizens. Chuds like you obviously think that there’s a big lever on the 4th floor of City Hall labeled light on-lights off. If no one lost power for a minute, you idiots would still hate because Alex Jones has brainwashed you into thinking that Democrats hate you.
HE’s getting his hands dirty in the city he is currently responsible for. News flash: Gillum isn’t governor yet. He’s taking care of his own city to the best of his ability. If there is a lack of support, you should be mad at that Voldemort looking soulless ghoul of a governor. You and the rest of the chuds won’t though, because Limbaugh told you that Gillum is a socialist. Hopefully, the next storm takes out more angry fascists and fewer educated citizens.
Nordonia Nate
October 15, 2018 at 5:15 pm
DK…
All that animus … My goodness.. It’s good to see Gillum is stepping up and FINALLY doing his job..
Amusing… YOU talk about the fascistas and theb less educated and you sound like one of the big mouth fascistas bullying the poorly educated to believe what you say … Or else!!!
Tell ya what you brown shifted tough guy … Stop hiding behind the keyboard … and let’s see you out there helping instead of talking like a fool on some blog.. Get you hands dirty yet, fascista culo de perro?
Jack
October 16, 2018 at 11:53 am
Oh DK, your anger and tears are delicious. Gillum is a coward and is afraid of debate, that’s why he’s pushing back the date so his handlers can prep him for as long as possible. He’s hoping to ride into office avoiding any scrutiny while his supporters scream racism whenever someone calls out Gillum’s socialist ideology. The Red Wave will wash your tears away and your constituency with it, and there’s nothing you can do about it. Deal with it loser
Allie
October 18, 2018 at 3:25 am
Jack, the only Florida wave on November 6th will be blue, not red. You might want to ask your amigo, Trump, to give you a roll of paper towels in advance to wipe away YOUR tears when Gillum wins the governship. Mucho Puerto Ricans, who now live in Florida, remember how they were treated after the hurricane and will not be voting for anyone on the Republican ticket. Millennials remember Republican promises about gun control, after Parkland, that were empty. Women will remember Kavanaugh. DeSantis will be the loser and will have plenty of free time after the election to read more Trump stories to his kids and build a giant Trump wall in his back yard to keep all the scary Puerto Ricans, Cubans and Haitians away from his white family. And it will be “delicious” to hear Gillum make his victory speech on the eve of Nov. 6th. You deal with it.
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