Advertisement

Andrew Gillum nets endorsement from former Florida Democratic Party chair Bob Poe

"I've never seen a candidate quite like Andrew," Poe said in an endorsement video.
 
Published March 6, 2018

Bob Poe says Andrew Gillum is the candidate progressives have been waiting for.

Poe, the former chair of the Florida Democratic Party, endorsed the Tallahassee mayor in a video released Tuesday.

"I've never seen a candidate quite like Andrew," Poe said, touting Gillum's record as an activist and his recent work on gun control. "He's the real deal."

Before the endorsement, Poe's most recent noteworthy political moment came in 2016, when he lost a crowded Democratic primary for the District 10 Congressional seat.

Gillum has also won the endorsement of such notable state figures such as U.S. Rep. Frederica Wilson and Florida Rep. Joseph Abruzzo, the Florida House minority whip.

Gillum has been active in the grassroots organizing world since the Feb. 14 Parkland shooting, appearing with students at a Tallahassee rally and working recently to register voters in South Florida.

Read more: Demands for action intensify at huge rally at Florida's Capitol

During his campaign, which turned one year old March 1, Gillum has tried to paint himself as the most progressive option of the crowded Democratic primary field. But that message has failed to help the candidate raise much money. After a promising start, Gillum has struggled for months to fundraise.

Former Congresswoman Gwen Graham, Orlando businessman Chris King and Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine also seek the Democratic nomination. Recent polling has shown that Graham and Levine have a slight edge over Gillum and King, but most voters are undecided.

Read more: New poll shows tight primary races for governor

Check out Poe's endorsement here: