This post is part of our voter guide for the Aug. 28 local and primary elections. Head to the main landing page for a guide to the key races and decisions being made this election.
Gov. Rick Scott can’t run for a third consecutive term, so the race for the next governor of Florida is wide open. The Democratic and Republican primaries have a full slate of diverse candidates, but we chose to focus on the competitive candidates in both races.
Based on the questions you said you had for the candidates, we recapped their stances on the following issues: guns, climate change and the environment, criminal justice, Amendment 4 (aka the Voter Restoration Act, or allowing felons who have completed their sentences to regain their right to vote), and marijuana legalization. The winners of the Republican and Democratic primaries for this seat will face off in the November general election.
Philip Levine is the former two-term mayor of Miami Beach and has made his experience there a centerpiece of his campaign. He’s talked at length about his record on combating climate change and sea level rise. He’s also made quality education and the creation of innovative jobs through technology major parts of his platform. Levine has faced some scrutiny over his wealth and the amount of money he’s poured into his own campaign.
Levine’s opponents are Andrew Gillum, Gwen Graham, Jeff Greene, Chris King, Alex Lundmark and John Wetherbee.
Guns
NRA Grade: F
He supports a ban on assault-style weapons and wants to see universal background checks for gun purchases. Philip also supports empowering local governments to make their own decisions on firearms. He stated at a debate that he’s a gun owner and has a concealed weapons permit but still wants to see gun reform.
Environment
He plans to bring his experience combating sea level rise on Miami Beach to the state level and has placed an emphasis on protecting Florida’s water supply, opposing offshore drilling, and protecting the Everglades and the state’s other natural habitats.
Renewable energy: He wants to create incentives for the use of clean and solar energy in the state and to assign penalties to the fossil fuel industry for any costs to taxpayers. He also supports the creation of a renewable energy standard and wants to make it easier for Floridians to pursue the use of solar energy technology.
Criminal justice
He wants a full review of the state’s corrections department, has called for an audit of the private prison system (and supports eliminating the facilities), and wants to reduce sentences and punishments for minor offenses. He also opposes the “Stand Your Ground” law.
Voter Restoration Act: He supports Amendment 4, allowing felons who have completed their sentences to regain their right to vote.
Medical and recreational marijuana
He supports the legalization of recreational marijuana use.