Poe endorses Tallahassee mayor for Florida governor

Gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum has won the endorsement of a prominent Orlando Democrat.

Bob Poe, former state Democratic Party chair and an unsuccessful candidate for a Democratic nomination for Congress in 2016, endorsed the Tallahassee mayor in a video posted on YouTube and Twitter on Tuesday.

“Originally, I planned to stay out of this year’s governor’s race until after the primaries were over,” he said in the video. “I know all the candidates and I like them personally. But as I saw what was happening across the country and around the state, I decided it was important for me to get in off of the sidelines.

“Because this year, we have a historic and unique opportunity to elect a bold candidate [who] believes strongly in our Democratic values and isn’t afraid to share them,” Poe said. “And that’s why today, I’m endorsing Andrew Gillum for governor,” he said.

Gillum faces former U.S. Rep. Gwen Graham, also of Tallahassee, Winter Park businessman Chris King and former Miami Beach Mayor Phil Levine in the race for the Democratic nomination. Poe, however, said in all his years in politics, “I’ve never seen a candidate quite like Andrew.”

He cited Gillum’s role in a legal battle between the National Rifle Association and Tallahassee over a city law banning guns in parks. An appeals court ruled last year the city couldn’t be forced to change its law. He also cited Gillum’s role in last month’s March Against Gun Violence after the Parkland high school shooting on Feb. 14.

In a statement, Gillum said “Poe has been a trailblazer and warrior in our state.”

“He’s spoken up passionately and courageously for the issues and fights that matter, and I’m incredibly honored to have his endorsement,” the mayor said. “Now more than ever, we need leaders who are willing to stand up even in difficult moments, and that’s what this campaign is bringing to the Sunshine State.”

The Democratic primary governor is Aug. 28. for