BOCA RATON — On the heels of a vicious debate, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum on Thursday decried the nasty nature of the nationally watched Florida race but at the same time likened his Republican opponent, Ron DeSantis, to a temperamental child.
Gillum, the mayor of Tallahassee, kicked off a bus tour in Miami, visited three college campuses and appeared at a temple in Plantation, with early voting underway and the clock winding down on the Nov. 6 election.
Speaking to a crowd of several hundred students and supporters Thursday afternoon at an auditorium on the Florida Atlantic University campus, Gillum mocked DeSantis’ performance during Wednesday’s second debate, during which the Republican exploded during questioning from moderator Todd McDermott.
DeSantis, whose endorsement by President Donald Trump helped the former congressman coast to victory in the August GOP primary, lost his cool when McDermott asked him about his relationship with conservative author David Horowitz.
DeSantis “came a little undone yesterday,” Gillum began, after asking the crowd if they had tuned into the debate, which was the final face-to-face matchup between the candidates.
“He fell into the category of demonstrating the temperament of about a 4-year-old. I’m trying not to offend my kids, because I’ve got twin 4-year-olds. I certainly don’t want them to take their example from him,” Gillum said.
DeSantis “collapsed under the pressure” of being asked about “racist conferences that he’s attended” and about his facilitation of a Facebook group accused of being anti-Semitic and “tinged with racism,” Gillum said.
DeSantis said, as a prosecutor, he “stood up for victims of every race, color and creed” and will “represent all the people” as governor.
Gillum, who is black, and his supporters have made racism a major theme of the Democrat’s campaign. The day after the Aug. 28 primary, DeSantis drew widespread criticism after warning supporters “not to monkey this up,” referring to the state’s success under Gov. Rick Scott, by electing Gillum. DeSantis has also been blasted for refusing to return a campaign contribution to a donor who used the “n-word” in reference to former President Barack Obama.
During his 30-minute stump speech Thursday, Gillum reminded the audience about his opponent’s “monkey this up” comment, adding that there’s been “a lot more of the same” throughout the race.
DeSantis and his supporters, meanwhile, have accused Gillum of being dishonest and corrupt for accepting a ticket from an undercover FBI agent to the popular Broadway show, “Hamilton,” and traveling to Costa Rica and other places with lobbyist Adam Corey. Gillum said he paid cash for his share of a rental house shared with Corey and others in the 2016 Costa Rica vacation.
But when asked by a reporter Thursday whether he regretted taking the Costa Rica trip with Corey, a former close friend with whom the mayor has publicly severed ties, Gillum said no.
“Adam’s somebody I’ve known for 20 years. We vacationed together plenty of times. He was at my wedding, have been extremely close acquaintances and friends for over 20 years. The same is true for the folks who we traveled with. No. I don’t have regrets about that,” Gillum said.
Corey maintains that Gillum hasn’t reimbursed him for nearly $1,000 in expenses related to the Costa Rica trip.
“Unfortunately, I think Adam’s a little offended because I’ve had to sever ties. Again, I regret, unfortunately, that that has had to happen, but I do still wish him well,” Gillum said when asked about the costs of the trip.
Gillum also said political leaders “have to become extremely highly responsible with our rhetoric and what we say,” following the delivery of numerous pipe bombs to Democratic leaders across the nation over the past few days.
“This rhetoric is becoming extremely heated. It is dangerous, not only for elected officials and their family. It is dangerous for society. So my hope would be, in these closing weeks --- across the country, not just here in Florida – but in these closing weeks, that we all exert a little bit of restraint and greater responsibility to ensure that we’re not putting each other in harm’s way,” he said.
The mayor also encouraged students to make their voices heard at the polls, saying they could determine the outcome of the governor’s race and statewide Cabinet elections.