Gwen Graham is running to be Florida’s next governor.

TAMPA – Mayor Bob Buckhorn announced Thursday (Aug. 16) he is endorsing Democrat Gwen Graham for governor.

“Over the past seven years, Tampa has entered a new chapter of our city’s history. We’re creating good paying jobs, attracting the best and brightest talent, and working to make Tampa one of the best places to live, work, and raise a family,” Buckhorn said. “Now it is time for our state to write its next chapter. We need a governor dedicated to restoring our public schools, protecting our environment and finally expanding health care. Today, I am proud to endorse Gwen Graham — because I know she will be that governor.”

Buckhorn announced his endorsement after an introduction by former Senate Democratic Leader Arthenia Joyner and with a diverse group of Democratic leaders supporting Graham by his side.

“With oil companies and Donald Trump attempting to drill in the eastern Gulf, it is crucial that we elect a true environmentalist to the Governor’s Office. Gwen Graham worked pro-bono for the Sierra Club while in law school, fought to ban oil drilling while in Congress and, as governor, she will work with Senator Bill Nelson to ensure there are no oil rigs anywhere near our beaches,” Buckhorn said. “She understands drilling threatens the Tampa Bay region’s entire economy and our very way of life.”

Buckhorn has been a champion for economic development during his time as mayor. Through his InVision Tampa plan, he has worked to diversify the city’s economy and he’s been a vocal opponent to oil drilling in the Gulf of Mexico.

“Mayor Buckhorn has brought Tampa together to move his city forward. As governor, I will work with him and mayors across our state to move every community forward and help every Floridian prosper,” Graham said. “We must invest in our public schools, create good-paying jobs, protect our precious environment and finally expand health care. With all of us working together, we can and will get it done.”

Graham’s campaign said she is showing rapidly growing momentum in the final two weeks of the campaign, as hundreds of thousands of Democrats have already voted by mail and early voting sites begin to open across the state.

Buckhorn is the latest Tampa Bay area Democrat to endorse Graham, including U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, state Sen. Darryl Rouson, former Democratic Senate Leader Arthenia Joyner, Democratic state House Leader Janet Cruz, state Rep. Ben Diamond, former state Rep. Dwight Dudley, Hillsborough Clerk of Court Pat Frank, Tampa City Councilman Mike Suarez, St. Petersburg Council member Darden Rice, St. Petersburg Council member Karl Nurse, and former Education Commissioner Betty Castor.

The primary election is Aug. 28. Early voting is open in some counties.

The winner of the Democratic primary will face the winner of the Republican primary in the Nov. 6 general election.

For information about Graham, go to gwengraham.com.

Photo shows Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn, left, and Gwen Graham.

Gwen Graham | Bob Buckhorn | Politics | Elections | Tampabay News | Local News

#GwenGraham #BobBuckhorn #Politics #Elections #TampabayNews #LocalNews