Former President Barack Obama stumps for Democrats in South Florida

Andrew Gillum, Sen. Bill Nelson appear at Friday's event in Miami

More than four million people have already cast their ballot in the mid-term election, which includes early voting and mail in ballots. 

But there is still a push to get people to the polls. 

There was already a line early Friday morning to see former President Barack Obama stump for Democrats in Miami Friday. 

"Maybe most of all, the character of our country is on the ballot," Obama told the crowd. "In the closing weeks of this election, we have seen repeated attempts to divide us with rhetoric designed to make us angry and make us fearful."

The first people in line camped out on the corner since 6 a.m.

"Andrew Gillum is the best candidate for the state of Florida because he believes in the average people," one voter, Carla Roundtree, said. 

Others were there to hawk some shirts and spread the blue wave.

"And you see what this cap says? Make America sane again. It's crazy right now," one person said. 

Gillum and U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson also appeared at Friday's event, a day after Gillum made eight campaign stops from Key West to North Miami-Dade.

"Democrats, Independents -- even some of our Republican friends -- are joining us here today. Are y'all ready to flip Florida blue for the first time in 20 years?" Gillum asked the crowd, which erupted in applause. 

Obama later grabbed some lunch at Miami's famous Coyo Taco.

Gillum's Republican rival, Ron DeSantis, also was stumping in South Florida Thursday, making a political pit stop at Versailles in little Havana, where he was joined by U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio.

"I stand with the people of Cuba. I want to see an indictment of Raul Castro," DeSantis told his supporters. 

The crowd was big at that event and the cafeceito was flowing -- a pick-me-up after first meeting with religious leaders in Kendall.

DeSantis has also received the support of President Donald Trump. 

DeSantis was in the Tampa Bay area and in Collier County Friday.

"You only have one governor," he said at one event. "And you need to have a governor that, yes, shares your values and has a compelling vision for Florida, which I do, but we also need a governor who's going to be a leader."

DeSantis promised the crowds to keep the Sunshine State's economy booming with policies like Rick Scott's -- the outgoing "jobs governor."


About the Authors

Janine Stanwood joined Local 10 News in February 2004 as an assignment editor. She is now a general assignment reporter. Before moving to South Florida from her Washington home, Janine was the senior legislative correspondent for a United States senator on Capitol Hill.

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