‘Stronger together’

Democrats show their solidarity at rally, make final pitches to voters

Four of the Democratic candidates for governor rally the crowds.

They couldn’t stay away. A huge population of Democratic voters, the ability to reach hundreds of party activists at a time and the chance to command media attention brought four candidates for the party’s gubernatorial nomination to South Florida on Sunday.

On stage for a “Stronger Together” rally in Sunrise sponsored by 16 of Broward’s Democratic clubs, the candidates acknowledged they fundamentally agree on the major issues important to Democrats.

“Folks, we all stand for the same things,” said candidate Philip Levine.

Jeff Greene, who got his turn immediately following Gwen Graham, told the audience that “when I listen to Gwen, there’s not much I can disagree with.”

So Graham, Greene, Levine and Andrew Gillum attempted to squeeze out every possible vote from the Democratic strongholds of Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties with whatever edge they could use.

For example, Greene — with an eye on the heavily Jewish population of west Broward, where the rally was held — added a line to the biographical part of his remarks that he doesn’t include everywhere. While a student at Johns Hopkins University, he explained, one of the ways he earned money was teaching at a Hebrew school three days a week.

Graham emphasized her endorsement from the Florida Education Association, the big teachers union, and referred to her parents, Bob and Adele Graham, who attended the rally. Bob Graham is a former U.S. senator and Florida governor.

Each candidate got five minutes to address about 350 people at the Broward rally at the Sunrise Civic Center Theater, where their contrasting styles were on display.

Gillum, known for his powerful rhetoric and progressive views, had to be stopped by the timekeeper when he hit his mark. He seemed to have the largest number of support-

ers in the room and got the loudest applause.

Gillum, the mayor of Tallahassee who is originally from Richmond Heights in Miami-Dade County, described himself as an example of how “intergenerational poverty” was overcome by good education. He fired up the crowd with tales of standing up to President Donald Trump and the National Rifle Association, and pledging to continue more of the same if he becomes governor.

Graham delivered a much crisper speech than she has sometimes in the past. She reminded Democrats that she defeated an incumbent Republican congressman in 2014 — during a Republican wave in which Democrats fared poorly across the country, and said she could repeat that feat in 2018.

Greene, the newest candidate, spent most of his remarks describing his background to the voters. His middle class family lost everything in his childhood, and his parents moved to West Palm Beach to take working-class jobs. Greene, now a billionaire who’s self-funding his campaign, said he would put in whatever money it takes for Democrats to win the governor’s race this year, something the party hasn’t done since 1994.

Levine crammed much more than five minutes of information in his remarks, using his rapid-fire staccato delivery. The former Miami Beach mayor who spent much of his youth growing up in Broward County, proclaimed, “I’m home,” when he got his turn at the mic.

Levine focused much of his attention on the need for Democrats to win big in November because of the threats from Trump. He said part of combating Trump is re-electing U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, who is being challenged by outgoing Republican Gov. Rick Scott.

Scott is so close to Trump that he shares responsibility for what’s emanated from the president. “He may not be the bank robber. But he is the driver.”

Kathi McCutcheon, of Cooper City, who said she’s deciding between Gillum and Levine, said hearing all the candidates speak is helping her make up her mind. “I want to put my vote behind the person who is going to win this race.”

Jean Anderson, of Fort Lauderdale, said she thinks she’ll vote for Levine. Like McCutcheon she said the deciding factor for her is who she thinks can win in November. “I’m going home and weighing my options.”

Nirva Candio, who is a member of Broward’s Haitian-American Democratic Club, said she’s supporting Graham, but would work for any of the Democrats the party nominates. “I want Democrats to get back to office. We need to get Florida back to the blue.”

The candidates were all over South Florida on Sunday.

Before the Sunrise event, they appeared at a Miami Gardens rally to pitch their candidacies and show their support for Florida teachers, a critical constituency for Democratic politicians.

Gillum and Levine also appeared for interviews on the WPLG-Ch. 10 “This Week in South Florida” program. Levine held two events at early voting sites in Miami-Dade and Broward counties. Greene had appearances scheduled at a Baptist church in West Palm Beach and an early voting site in Miami-Dade County.

And Levine and Greene both appeared at the Kings Point Democratic Club meeting west of Delray Beach.

Chris King, the fifth candidate, spent the day addressing church services across Pinellas County.