With the Primary Election coming up on Tuesday, the two Democratic candidates for governor are ramping-up their campaigns.
The Democratic primary has former Governor Charlie Crist facing-off against former state Senator Nan Rich.
She's been considered an underdog since Crist entered the race. Rich started her campaign for governor 28 months ago. She points out that's longer than Crist has even been a Democrat. But Rich said even though she's an underdog, she should not be counted out.
"Having served 12 years, public education is the most important issue," Rich said.
With just four days to go until the election, she’s speaking at a Black Business forum in Plantation. This is how she’s run her campaign, going to events like this, making phone calls, traveling to 50 counties around the state, trying to build a strong grassroots network.
Grassroots is all she could afford. She’s raised just about $700,000 to Charlie Crist’s $16 million. Rich said her campaign is about the people, not special interest groups.
“He’s made it pretty clear throughout this whole process that he’s not focusing on a primary, he’s focused all his attention on a general election,” Rich said.
But it hasn’t discouraged Rich. The majority of her support comes from South Florida. Broward County is home for her. Rich served in the Florida legislature for 13 years and is running on a platform of reform. She said an overhaul is needed for the DCF system and education.
“My concern with the educational system is that we’ve had 16 years of Republican governors, Jeb Bush, Charlie Crist and now Rick Scott who have undermined public education,” Rich said.
Rich prides herself on being a progressive Democrat and said while some people may not agree with her on the issues, they know where she stands.
Rich will spend the next few days on the road, trying to drum up some last minute support. She’ll make stops in both Tampa and Orlando Saturday.