Sen. Bernie SandersBernie SandersThe Hill’s 12:30 Report: Milley apologizes for church photo-op Harris grapples with defund the police movement amid veep talk Biden courts younger voters — who have been a weakness MORE (I-Vt.) will hold a rally Wednesday at the University of Central Florida to boost gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum (D).
The event will be held the same day as a President TrumpDonald John TrumpSenate advances public lands bill in late-night vote Warren, Democrats urge Trump to back down from veto threat over changing Confederate-named bases Esper orders ‘After Action Review’ of National Guard’s role in protests MORE rally in Southwest Florida to boost Gillum’s opponent, former Rep. Ron DeSantisRonald Dion DeSantisGOP tentatively decides on Jacksonville for site of convention DeSantis pushing to host Republican National Convention in Florida Florida bars and theaters to reopen starting Friday, DeSantis says MORE (R).
Gillum and DeSantis are vying to replace term-limited Gov. Rick Scott (R), who is now running for Senate.
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The dueling rallies by Sanders and Trump are being planned as both sides seek to turn out their respective bases.
The race has turned into a slugfest in the final days.
DeSantis, a former congressman and staunch ally of Trump, was forced to confront a series of race-related controversies that have haunted his campaign since the day after Florida’s August primaries.
Meanwhile, Gillum, the progressive mayor of Tallahassee, is facing questions about a federal investigation into suspected corruption in his city hall, as well as records showing he accepted a ticket to the musical “Hamilton” from an undercover FBI agent who he believed was a local developer.
President Trump weighed in on the race this week, calling Gillum a “thief” in a tweet Monday, leading the Democrat to punch back.
“In Florida there is a choice between a Harvard/Yale educated man named @RonDeSantisFL who has been a great Congressman and will be a great Governor – and a Dem who is a thief and who is Mayor of poorly run Tallahassee, said to be one of the most corrupt cities in the Country!,” Trump said.
In Florida there is a choice between a Harvard/Yale educated man named @RonDeSantisFL who has been a great Congressman and will be a great Governor – and a Dem who is a thief and who is Mayor of poorly run Tallahassee, said to be one of the most corrupt cities in the Country!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 29, 2018
“I heard @realDonaldTrump ran home to @FoxNews to lie about me. But as my grandmother told me — never wrestle with a pig. You both get dirty, but the pig likes it. So ignore him and vote, Florida!” Gillum responded after Trump was interviewed on Fox News Monday night.
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I heard @realDonaldTrump ran home to @FoxNews to lie about me. But as my grandmother told me — never wrestle with a pig. You both get dirty, but the pig likes it. So ignore him and vote, Florida!
— Andrew Gillum (@AndrewGillum) October 30, 2018
The Cook Political Report rates the race as a “toss up,” and an average of polls calculated by RealClearPolitics has Gillum up three points.
Sanders visits Florida, a crucial swing state in presidential elections, amid widespread speculation the Senator will run for president again in two years.
