A.G. Gancarski
The contrast between the gubernatorial campaigns of Democrat Andrew Gillum and Republican Ron DeSantis is as stark as any statewide contest in recent memory.
With DeSantis bringing his political patron, President Donald Trump, into the state to stump for him at a Halloween rally, the Gillum campaign is countering with an appeal to the other side.
Gillum’s latest digital spot, “Diversity,” features the candidate speaking in his own words, appealing to voters to “stand together against politicians that use race to divide us … stand together against rhetoric that pits us versus them … bet on each other instead of against each other.”
“As governor I’ll ensure that the most diverse state in America also sets an example as the most united state in America. Because that is how we all win together.”
The :55 spot reminds voters of the candidate’s own humble background, a reminder interspersed with images of the “Gillum Surge” at rallies: a stark contrast, in tone and vibe, to the gatherings of largely elderly Caucasians at events for Republican candidate Ron DeSantis.
Recent polling shows Gillum slightly ahead during early voting, even as his advantage isn’t as much as it was in some outlier polls weeks back.
A survey from the University of North Florida pegs the race as a six point Gillum win (49-43).
A CBS News poll shows a one point lead for Gillum.
A New York Times poll splits the difference, showing a 43-38 advantage for Gillum, with one potential path for a DeSantis victory in the modeling: an electorate that performs like the 2014 voters.
