New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio (D) is campaigning for Andrew Gillum as the Democratic Florida gubernatorial nominee deals with the aftermath of Hurricane Michael.
“It’s nothing like having Andrew here, obviously, but if other people can step in, it helps,” de Blasio said on Saturday at Gillum’s campaign office in Miami Gardens, according to the Miami Herald. “I think anytime a candidate has other responsibilities, it’s important for surrogates to step up.”
{mosads}“Give it your heart. Give it passion,” de Blasio added, encouraging Gillum campaign volunteers to knock on doors and convince people to vote, the newspaper added. “Act like your life depends on it, because, brothers and sisters, your life does depend on it.”
De Blasio also reportedly appeared in West Palm Beach, Delray Beach and Pompano Beach on Saturday as he travels around the state, rallying support for his fellow Democrat.
Gillum, the mayor of Tallahassee, is working to clean up the city after Michael swept through last week.
He has canceled many of his campaign appearances and will miss his first debate against his opponent, former Rep. Ron DeSantis (R).
“Right now I’ve gotta win the restoration game and get our community recovered,” Gillum said in a Facebook Live stream on Saturday, according to the Herald.
DeSantis is continuing to campaign throughout Florida, which has emerged as a top battleground state this November.
RealClearPolitics has marked the governor’s race as a “toss-up,” with Gillum leading by 3.7 percentage points in an average of polling.
Democrats are favored to flip the House this November by a variety of analysts. FiveThirtyEight gives them a 4 in 5 shot at retaking the majority.