Andrew Gillum endorses Walter Smith II for Tampa City Council

Former gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum is endorsing Walter Smith II for Tampa City Council.

Smith posted an audio file of Gillum’s endorsement on Facebook Tuesday morning.

“I’ve known Walter for years. He’s the right person at a critical time for Tampa,” Gillum said.

Smith is running for the District 1 seat being vacated by Mike Suarez who is leaving office due to term limits. Smith is running against hairdresser and long-time Tampa civic activist Joe Citro.

The endorsement is huge for Smith in a citywide election where voters went soundly for Gillum last year. Smith won a spot in the runoff with a second place finish March 5 but lagged 12 points behind Citro.

He’s also at a funding disadvantage. Smith has raised less than $9,000 while Citro has brought in more than $36,000.

“Like many of us I’ve been inspired by Mayor Gillum’s passion for the state of Florida, from his time as the Mayor of Tallahassee, his campaign for the governorship of Florida and his continued efforts to make every vote count in Florida,” Smith wrote on Facebook of the endorsement.

“Andrew and I are passionate about the same thing: a Florida and Tampa that works for everyone, where everyone gets the chance to succeed. This campaign is about the people of Tampa, and we can’t do it without you, whether it’s volunteering, making a donation and most importantly your vote.”

Following his defeat against now-Governor Ron DeSantis last November, Gillum was rumored to be considering a presidential run or for a possible running mate for another candidate. Instead, he announced last month he would run the group Bring It Home Florida, a massive get out the vote effort aimed at flipping Florida blue in future elections.

In his endorsement for Smith, Gillum furthered that effort.

“Y’all, please vote, these elections matter,” Gillum said.

Voter turnout in local elections is typically low, especially in off-year elections like this one where there are no state or federal candidates on the ballot.

The runoff election is April 23. Two other City Council races and the mayor’s race are also on the ballot.